Coking issues? Low thermal efficiency in oil sludge pyrolysis? Beston Group Thermal Desorption Unit is designed to overcome these challenges. Utilizing advanced decanter centrifuge +thermal washing + pyrolysis technology, it effectively converts oil-contaminated sludge with complex compositions into usable fuel oil. This process ensures clean, efficient recycling while promoting both profitability and environmental sustainability. Read on to explore TDU – a reliable solution for oil sludge treatment.
Beston Group’s BLL-30 continuous thermal desorption unit has achieved significant performance enhancements through key technical breakthroughs. These upgrades enable investors to realize higher output, lower operational costs, and enhanced operational stability. Below are the reasons to choose BLL-30 first:
With an advanced oil-gas condensation system, the plant supports:
Reuses 80% of high-temperature exhaust and utilizes 20% for preheating the air supply, the plant supports:
Adopt automated combustion and heat recirculation system, the machine can achieve:
As a critical pre-treatment step, decanter centrifuge + thermal washing can prepare the oil sludge for efficient pyrolysis. This process uses heat, emulsifiers and centrifugal force to separate oil, water, and solid particles. Through heating and stirring, the oil becomes more fluid, while water carries away fine particles and impurities. It effectively removes inorganic matter such as sand, salts, and metal particles, along with excess water. It brings key benefits to the pyrolysis process:
Pyrolysis (also known as thermal desorption) is a process in which polymerized hydrocarbons in oil sludge are thermally broken down and restructured under oxygen-free conditions. TDU unit typically operates at 300–450 °C and continuously converts waste into valuable fuel oil, gas, and solid residues. Product composition varies depending on temperature and processing method. Key features of the pyrolysis process:
Three feeding methods for different oil sludge liquid contents:
Thermal desorption reaction occurs in a high-temperature microaerobic reaction environment. During the reaction, oil sludge undergoes the following changes in thermal desorption system:
Fuel oil is converted into higher-quality non-standard diesel through the oil distillation equipment. In this equipment, fuel oil goes through the following stages:
The high-temperature exhaust gas passes through the flue condenser and spray tower for cooling and dust removal. In addition, our thermal desorption equipment provides high-end exhaust gas treatment systems, including electrostatic dust removal, activated carbon dust removal, and desulfurization & denitrification treatment. The flue gas emitted by high-end exhaust gas treatment can meet EU standards.
Some solid substances in oil sludge cannot participate in the thermal desorption process and eventually form solid residues. The solid residue is discharged through the water-cooled screw conveyor.
Significantly reduces the volume of oil sludge as well as the oil and water content in the residue.
Thermal desorption unit can recover high-quality fuel oil and syngas and improve energy efficiency through heat recovery.
Ensures safe discharge and reuse of residue, wastewater, and gas with no secondary pollution.
Beston Group’s comprehensive product system provides customers with 2 types to choose from. They can meet the different production needs of customers. In addition, the diverse pyrolysis equipment options ensures that customers get the most suitable solution at a reasonable thermal desorption unit price.
| Model | BLL-30 | BLJ-16 Standard | BLJ-16 TDU | BLJ-16 ULTRA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON |
| Time to Market | 2025 | 2013 | 2013 | 2022 |
| Motor Brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | ABB Explosion-proof |
| Suitable Raw Materials | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge | Oil soil with liquid content | Oil sludge; Landing oil sludge; Drilling waste; Tank bottom oil sludge | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge |
| Input Capacity (Max.) | Waste plastic pellets: 0.8-1.05t/h Rubber powder: 1.25-1.5t/h Oil sludge:1.8-2.3t/h | Whole tire Sidewall removed tire: 15-16t/batch Oil soil: 16-18t/batch | 16-18t/batch | Waste plastic bales: 8-10t/batch Whole tire Sidewall removed tire: 15-16t/batch Oil sludge: 16-18t/batch |
| Working Method | Fully Continuous | Batch | Batch | Batch |
| Final Oil Quality | Pyrolysis oil Pyrolysis oil with wax or naphtha | Pyrolysis oil | Pyrolysis oil | Pyrolysis oil Pyrolysis oil with wax or naphtha |
| Reactor Material | 304/310S Stainless steel | Q345R Boiler steel | 304 Stainless steel | 304 Stainless steel |
| Reactor Life Span (Years) | 5-8 | 2-3 | 5-8 | 5-8 |
| Guarantee (Months) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Delivery Time (Calendar Days) | 60-90 | 45 | 60 | 90 |
| Land Space Required (L*W*H*m) | 70*20*10 | 33*13*8 | 33*13*8 | 33*26*8 |
| Packing | 20*6*3m in bulk+13*40HQ | 1*40FR+3*40HQ | 1*40FR+3*40HQ | 1*40FR+8*40HQ |
| Installation Period (Calendar Days) | 60-90 | 45 | 45 | 60 |
Full use of syngas: The entire system makes full use of the syngas generated in the reactor for secondary combustion. This reduces energy consumption. Combustible gas is purified by water seal to ensure clean combustion.
As a provider of waste recycling solutions, Beston Group’s oil sludge pyrolysis equipment has been exported to more than 100 countries around the world. Rich export experience enables us to fully understand the needs of customers worldwide. Therefore, it enables Beston Group to customize oil sludge recovery solutions to meet the specific needs of customers from different regions. Below is a successful case of a thermal desorption plant in Africa refinery for your reference.
With the rapid development of the petroleum industry, the accumulation of oil sludge has sharply increased per year. However, due to the lack of recycling solutions, oil sludge treatment still faces a big crisis. Here are data for your reference:
tons Oil Production per year
tons Oil Sludge Production per year
hectares of Oil-contaminated Soil
tons Oil Sludge Accumulation Existing
Oil Sludge Can’t be Treated Properly
Oil sludge is generated during the extraction, gathering, transportation and refining process of oil. It is a mixture of mud, sand and water contaminated by organic matter such as crude oil. Unlike scrap tyre or waste plastic, this waste has a complex composition. It can be divided into various types based on its origin and composition. Each type has a different water, oil and solids content. According to the size of sludge particles, it can be divided into:
| Source | Type | Water Content % | Oil Content % | Solid Content % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
(Global share: 40%) | Oil-based Cuttings | 8~15 | 15~25 | 60~80 |
| Waste Oil-based Mud | 40~50 | 10~20 | 30~40 | |
| Oil-contaminated Soil | 5~25 | 5~10 | 70~90 | |
(Global share: 15%) | Tank Bottom Oil Sludge | 40-70 | 20-40 | 5-40 |
| Oil-contaminated Soil | 5~25 | 5~10 | 70~90 | |
(Global share: 30%) | Oil-water Separator Sludge | 60~70 | 10~15 | 25~35 |
| Air Flotation Tank Sludge | 75~90 | 5~10 | 3~10 | |
| Activated Oil Sludge | 75~85 | ＜5 | 10~20 |
The fuel oil recycled from TDU has diversified applications that make recycled fuel oil popular in the market. This gives it a wide range of sales channels. See the following uses:
The solid residues produced by TDU unit also generate incomes as long as placement properly:
Many companies need to handle waste sludge in compliance with regulations, but lack relevant equipment, so they will seek third-party services. Investors can provide oil sludge treatment services to this industries, charge environmental protection disposal fees, and form a long-term and stable profit model. The relevant industries are as follows:
Due to the significant hazards and serious pollution caused by oil sludge, government departments in various regions provide substantial financial support for oil sludge recycling projects. These subsidies include:
TDU enables a closed-loop system where hazardous oil sludge is thermally treated and transformed into valuable byproducts such as fuel oil and non-toxic solids. This reduces landfill reliance and maximizes resource utilization, aligning with circular economy principles. By turning waste into revenue-generating outputs, petroleum operators improve both environmental and financial performance.
From upstream drilling sites to downstream refineries, the equipment integrates seamlessly into multiple stages of the petroleum value chain. Its energy-efficient operation supports integration into existing facilities, helping reduce overall transportation demands and streamline oil sludge management processes across various stages of production.
Oil sludge contains hazardous hydrocarbons and heavy metals that pose serious compliance risks. TDU unit minimizes environmental liability by reducing the toxicity and volume of waste. This proactive risk control supports ESG commitments, helps meet regulatory requirements, and enhances long-term operational resilience.
Oil sludge contains 5-50 of petroleum, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, and radionuclides, heavy metals etc. So, it is toxic and flammable. Oil sludge pollutes the soil, water, and air resources that causing serious harm to the ecological environment and even human health. Currently, oil sludge is classified as hazardous waste. Its disposal is regulated by environmental protection agencies worldwide. Thermal desorption unit can reduce the ecological burden in the following aspects:
Thermal desorption system reduces the amount of harmful components that penetrate into the soil. Thus, problems such as soil degradation and surface vegetation destruction are solved.
Thermal desorption recovery prevents harmful substances from entering water resources. This optimizes water quality and the growth environment of aquatic organisms.
Oil sludge stored in the open air is flammable when exposed to fire. Thermal desorption recovery reduces the risk of release of sulfur-containing gases from burning.
TDU unit decomposes toxic volatile compounds, minimizing inhalation risks of carcinogenic substances and preventing respiratory system damage.
Across oil refining, petrochemical, and oilfield operations, oil sludge has long been a persistent environmental burden. Today, as the world accelerates the shift toward cleaner industrial practices and a circular economy, thermal desorption system is taking center stage in oil sludge treatment. Four major forces are accelerating the transformation of this sector:
Governments are stepping up enforcement through comprehensive environmental policies to prevent improper handling of petroleum waste. Key policies include:
Oil sludge contains recoverable oil, organic matter, and minerals. Thermal desorption unit makes it possible to recover resources at scale. This not only maximizes material reuse but also supports the broader shift toward a circular economy, reducing both waste volumes and treatment costs.
Sustainability is now central to corporate strategy in the oil and gas sector. Oil sludge treatment is no longer just a compliance issue—it’s a reflection of environmental responsibility. Companies are increasingly adopting clean, low-emission technologies to improve ESG performance, strengthen brand value, and meet stakeholder expectations.
Oil sludge accumulation threatens safe and efficient operations, particularly in aging facilities. Treatment technologies that reduce volume and recover value are becoming essential to maintain productivity and reduce environmental risks. Upgrading sludge treatment capabilities has become a strategic priority for long-term facility sustainability.
Beston Group thermal desorption unit has become the optimal choice for oil sludge treatment. Our innovative technology helps customers extract economic value from oil sludge. Furthermore, integrated solutions guide customers from A to Z on their path to sustainable development. Just contact us to get your free customized solution. Also, you can follow us on Linkedin for more oil sludge recycling information.