A thermal desorption unit (TDU) can effectively convert oil-contaminated soil and sludge (including tank bottom sludge, refinery sludge, and landing sludge) into usable fuel oil through a non-incineration process. The system integrates decanter centrifuge separation, thermal washing, and pyrolysis technology to fully separate hydrocarbons from solids, while the remediated soil and sludge can be safely reused or backfilled on-site — fully meeting governmental environmental standards. For oil sludge treatment projects, this means turning a costly disposal liability into a profitable, sustainable resource recovery process.
What is Thermal Desorption?
Thermal desorption is a physical remediation technology used to treat soils, sludge, and other contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons organic compounds.
- Process principle: High temperatures volatilize contaminants such as TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbons) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), separating them from the solid matrix (soil, oil sludge, or drill cuttings) for subsequent collection and treatment.
- Heating temperature: Low-temperature thermal desorption (LTTD) operates at 90–320°C, while high-temperature thermal desorption (HTTD) operates at 320–560°C, depending on contaminant type and boiling point.
- Scope of application: Widely used for excavated soil from refineries, oilfield sites, and hydrocarbon leak locations, as well as tank bottom sludge, drilling cuttings, and other oil-contaminated industrial waste.
Thermal Desorption Unit: Solving Your Oil Sludge Management Challenges
Are you facing these challenges in your oil sludge and industrial waste management projects? We have the solution. Our advanced thermal desorption system is engineered to process complex soil/oil sludge into valuable fuel oil in a harmless way, while helping you successfully secure local EIA approval.
Acceptable Oil Sludge Types
Beston’s TDU is designed to process oil sludge/soil from oil extraction, oil transportation, and oil refining. The table below lists the specific sludge types under each source, along with their typical water, oil, and solid content ratios.
| Source | Type | Water Content % | Oil Content % | Solid Content % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Drilling and Oil Extraction(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 | |
 Oil Gathering&Transportation(Global share: 15%) |
Tank Bottom Oil Sludge | 40-70 | 20-40 | 5-40 |
| Oil-contaminated Soil | 5~25 | 5~10 | 70~90 | |
 Oil Refining(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 |
Unacceptable Types
We do not process pure, highly fluid liquids, including: used engine oils, pure liquid lubricants, synthetic chemicals, or solvents without solid debris.
Turn Oil Sludge into Profit: High-Value End Products & Downstream Uses
TDU unit can recover high-value oil and solid residue from waste oil sludge, which can be utilized in the following downstream applications:
Naphtha / Naphtha from Non-condensable Gas
Source: pyrolysis+ distillation
Applications:
- Alternative fuels for industry & transport;
- Transport, refining in the chemical and energy sectors;
- Used as an extraction solvent and cleaning agent in labs;
- Direct sale of fuel oil.
Non-Standard Diesel
Source: pyrolysis+ distillation
Applications:
- Used as industrial fuel;
- Used as marine & construction machinery fuel;
- Power generation;
- Direct sale of fuel oil.
Solid Residue
Source: non-pyrolyzable solid discharge
Applications:
- Sell to brick factory to make bricks;
- Sell to oil field companies for use as oil well anti-collapse agents.
Three Types of Beston Thermal Desorption Unit for Sale
Beston Group manufactures three types of TDU — each engineered for a different production scale. Below, we would like to introduce the key higlights, capacity range, and ideal application scenarios for each type to help you match the right pyrolysis plant to your project requirements.
01 Continuous Type: Blackgold P30
Eliminates condenser blockages via steam-heated wax liquefaction and self-cleaning, while mechanical gravity friction and uniform hot-air heating prevent furnace coking.
Uses direct oil-gas spraying for precise heavy/light component separation to maximize oil quality and yield.
Integrates precise heating (±10°C), auto-feeding/discharge, and multi-stage condensation with IoT monitoring. Minimizes intervention and increases efficiency by 60%.
Features an adaptive mechanical seal that automatically compensates for thermal expansion, paired with nitrogen blanketing for maximum safety.
02 Pyrolysis+distillation Batch Type: BLJ-20
Adopts fraction distillation technology, the machine can produce naphtha and non-standard diesel in one step.
Features a ø2800×10000 reactor, boosting annual oil sludge processing capacity to 7,500 tons.
Combines thermal dynamic sealing with flexible insulation for performance far superior to conventional systems.
03 Batch Type: BLJ-16
Specific Technical Parameters of Beston Thermal Desorption Equipment
| Model | Blackgold P30 | BLJ-20 | BLJ-16 TDU | BLJ-16 Standard | BLJ-16 ULTRA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON |
| Time to Market | 2026 | 2025 | 2013 | 2013 | 2022 |
| Motor Brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | ABB Explosion-proof |
| Suitable Raw Materials | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge | Oil sludge; Landing oil sludge; Drilling waste; Tank bottom oil sludge | Whole tire<120cm; Tire blocks<15cm; Oil soil with liquid content<30% | 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 | Waste plastic pellets: 12-13t/d; Tire: 18-20t/d; Oil sludge:20-25t/d | 16-18t/batch | Whole tire <120cm or Tire blocks<15cm: 10-12t/batch; Sidewall removed tire: 15-16t/batch; Oil soil: 16-18t/batch | Waste plastic bales: 8-10t/batch; Whole tire <120cm or Tire blocks<15cm: 10-12t/batch; Sidewall removed tire: 15-16t/batch; Oil sludge: 16-18t/batch |
| Working Method | Fully Continuous | Batch | Batch | Batch | Batch |
| Final Oil Quality | Pyrolysis oil; Pyrolysis oil with wax or naphtha; Gasoline blending components | Pyrolysis oil; Non-standard diesel and naphtha | Pyrolysis oil | Pyrolysis oil | Pyrolysis oil; Pyrolysis oil with wax or naphtha |
| Reactor Material | 304/310S Stainless steel | Q345R Boiler steel and 304/316L/310S Stainless steel | 304 Stainless steel | Q345R Boiler steel | 304 Stainless steel |
| Reactor Life Span (Years) | 5-8 Years | Q345R Boiler steel: 2-3 Years; 304/316L Stainless steel: 5-8 Years; 310S Stainless steel: 8-10 Years | 5-8 Years | 2-3 Years | 5-8 Years |
| Guarantee (Months) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Delivery Time (Calendar Days) | 60-90 | 60 | 60 | 45 | 90 |
| Land Space Required (L*W*H*m) | 50*20*10 | 40*13*8 | 33*13*8 | 33*13*8 | 33*26*8 |
| Packing | 20*6*3m in bulk+13*40HQ | 1*40FR+4*40HQ | 1*40FR+3*40HQ | 1*40FR+3*40HQ | 1*40FR+8*40HQ |
| Installation Period (Calendar Days) | 60-90 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 60 |
Advanced Pre-Treatment System: Decanter Centrifuge + Thermal Washing Technology
To remove impurities and lower the moisture content of soil/oil sludge, Beston Group integrates an advanced pre-treatment system: decanter centrifuging with thermal washing, boosting overall oil sludge pyrolysis efficiency by 200% ⬆️.
Technical Process
- Step 1 Heat & emulsify: Heats and stirs sludge with emulsifiers to reduce viscosity and increase oil fluidity.
- Step 2 Thermal washing: Uses thermal washing to wash away excess water, fine silt, and water-soluble salts.
- Step 3 Centrifugal separation: Employs decanter centrifuges to separate heavy solids (sand, metal) from liquid phases.
Key benefits
- Higher oil purity: Pre-separates heavy solids and water to purify the oil sludge, maximizing final fuel oil recovery.
- Equipment protection: Prevents pyrolysis reactor wear and ash build-up, extending system service life.
- Energy savings: Dewatering before pyrolysis avoids heating unnecessary water in the reactor, significantly lowering fuel consumption.
Technological Process of P30 Thermal Desorption Unit
Explore the complete operational process of the P30 thermal desorption system through the video and step-by-step process analysis below:
Step1 Raw Material Pretreatment & Feeding
Through thermal washing and decanter centrifugation pretreatment, impurities and part of the water are removed from the oil sludge. The treated oil sludge then enters the silo. Depending on the moisture content of the sludge, three flexible methods are available to convey it into the reactor:
- Liquid content< 40%: belt conveyor
- Liquid content 40%-60%: shaftless spiral
- Liquid content > 75%: sludge pump
Step2 Oil Sludge Thermal Desorption & Oil Formation Process ⭐
After 2–3 hours, the reactor reaches 110 °C, starting to yield water vapor and initial oil gas. As the temperature rises to 280–350 °C, large volumes of oil gas are rapidly generated and separated into heavy and light fractions based on their boiling points.
- Naphtha (light oil): The light fractions of oil gas enters the condenser, where it condenses into high-quality naphtha and is stored in the fuel oil tank.
- Non-standard diesel (heavy oil): Heavy fractions of oil gas pass through the oil and gas buffer system for primary cooling and drop directly into the heavy oil tank.
Step3 Residue Discharge & Off-gas Treatment
- Solid residue: Non-pyrolyzable clean solid residue is cooled and continuously discharged via a water-cooled screw conveyor.
- Off-gas treatment: A portion of the non-condensable combustible gas is recycled to heat the reactor; while the remaining exhaust undergoes multi-stage purification (spray washing, ESP, carbon adsorption, and DeSOx/DeNOx) and is safely discharged to meet EU standards.
Practical Application of Beston’s Thermal Desorption Technology in Oman’s Oil Sludge Treatment Project
Elite International, an Omani company, focuses on oil sludge treatment. As environmental regulations tighten, traditional low-cost disposal methods no longer meet compliance standards. To avoid penalties and improve its corporate image, the company is adopting Beston’s thermal desorption treatment solutions. Currently, the project has become a regional benchmark, promoting sustainable waste management and offering a cutting-edge and environmentally friendly solution for oil sludge treatment in Oman.
Project Information
- Project start date: May 21, 2023
- Successful operation date: December 10, 2024
- Project duration: 570 days
- Project configuration: 2 sets of BLJ-16 TDU units, 1 set of BLJ-3.
- Raw material: Various types of oil sludge, including landing oil sludge and tank bottom sludge.
Project Status
Since its successful operation on December 10, 2024, the project has been running stably.
- Daily processing capacity: 30 – 35 tons of oil sludge per batch
- Oil yield: approximately 30%
- Annual processing capacity: up to 10,500 tons
- Disposal Service Fee: $250 – $400/ton
Tank Bottom Sludge Pyrolysis Test Reports: Validating Project Feasibility & Value
On January 23, 2025, we received a tank bottom sludge sample from a client for oil yield testing. After testing, we provided exact oil output data for the client to evaluate project feasibility and calculate ROI. Below are the controlled test results for technical reference:
| Composition | Unit/g | Ratio/% |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | 125g | 58.7% |
| Slag | 8.5g | 4.00% |
| Water | 65g | 30.5% |
| Composition | Unit/g | Ratio/% |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | 90.5g | 45.25% |
| Slag | 21g | 10.5% |
| Water | 66.5g | 33.25% |
4 Technical Highlights of Thermal Desorption Unit
High Combustion Efficiency
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.
Anti-coking Design
- Friction-sssisted self-cleaning: Internal movement creates continuous friction between materials and components, helping to dislodge coke buildup during processing.
- Uniform and controlled heating: Thermal desorption system maintains a stable temperature distribution to avoid localized overheating – one of the primary causes of coking.
Efficient Emission Control
- Waste gas emission: The waste gas generated by Beston equipment is processed by a high-end exhaust gas treatment system to meet EU emission standards.
- Solid discharge: The discharging system is designed with water-cooled discharging method to reduce dust pollution. In addition, TDU can achieve continuous discharging without leaking oil gas.
Intelligent Control Mode
- PLC control: PLC and DCS(Distributed Control System) guarantee intelligent operation. They have high control efficiency. Therefore, this saves manpower and improves the working environment.
- IoT control: In addition, you can also choose an IoT real-time monitoring system. This system provides instant data insights, allowing for quick adjustments and improved efficiency. This facilitates customers’ overall operational control.
Certified Thermal Desorption Unit: Built to Global Quality and Safety Standards
Beston Group’s thermal desorption equipment is fully certified with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and CE certification, guaranteeing stable quality, strict environmental compliance, and adherence to top safety standards.
Beston Group Hosts Oil Sludge Harmless Treatment Exchange Conference
Beston Group successfully hosted two consecutive Oil Sludge Harmless Treatment Technology Exchange Conferences at the Elite International project site in June 2025 and February 2026. During the conferences, Omani government officials and international industry leaders gathered to observe the live operation of Beston’s TDU equipment, gaining firsthand insights into our capability in oil sludge harmless treatment and resource recovery. These events not only fostered international collaboration, but also accelerated the global adoption of sustainable oil sludge pyrolysis solutions.
Thermal Desorption Unit Solutions: Professional Support & Delivery
Beston Group provides high-performance thermal desorption systems through customized technical engineering, rigorous manufacturing standards, and dedicated operational expertise for global investors.
Site Layout & Custom Design
- Services: Site-specific 2D/3D layout design, terrain-based footprint optimization, and customized emission control systems.
- Objective: To ensure tdu thermal desorption unit fits the investor’s specific site perfectly while strictly meeting local environmental discharge standards.
High-quality Delivery
- Services: Self-manufacturing of core systems, with every finished unit subjected to circular runout, airtightness, and ultrasonic flaw detection testing.
- Objective: To guarantee 100% sealed, balanced, and structurally sound equipment for an extended operational lifespan.
Technical & Operational Support
- Services: Installation guidance, system commissioning, performance verification, and comprehensive staff safety training.
- Objective: To ensure a rapid, compliant start-up and empower your team for stable, long-term profitable operation.
Why Thermal Desorption Is the Preferred Solution for Oil Sludge Treatment?
Rising Policy & Compliance Pressures
Oil sludge is classified as hazardous waste worldwide under strict regulations like China’s Technical Policy, the EU’s Waste Framework Directive, and U.S. RCRA. Thermal desorption ensures total compliance to avoid severe penalties while qualifying operators for government disposal subsidies and tax relief.
Reduction & Harmless Treatment: Cutting Risk at the Source
Untreated oil sludge poses severe environmental contamination and operational fire hazards. Thermal desorption unit is the suitable solution that neutralizes toxic organic components and drastically cuts waste volume, converting dangerous hazardous sludge into clean, non-toxic solids for safe on-site reuse or discharge.
Resource Utilization: From Waste to Revenue
Thermal desorption equipment enables resource utilization by converting waste oil sludge into high-value fuel oil and clean solids. Beyond pyrolysis oil sales, investors can build a profitable business model by charging third-party disposal fees to oil fields and refineries lacking disposal capacity.
Meeting Corporate ESG & Green Finance Goals
Modern industrial investors and capital markets demand clean, circular waste management solutions. Unlike traditional landfilling which lowers environmental ratings, thermal desorption recovers valuable resources to align projects with strict global ESG standards, simplifying project funding and elevating corporate brand reputation.
Navigating TDU Technology Options: Market Comparison Guide
When evaluating thermal desorption system for oil sludge treatment, selecting the optimal configuration is critical to project ROI, environmental compliance, and operational stability. Commercial TDU technologies vary significantly based on their heating mechanism and processing location:
| Thermal Desorption Unit Type | Application Site | Representative Equipment | Technical Principle & Features | Primary Output & Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Heating Unit | Ex-situ Treatment | Direct-Fired Rotary Kiln | • Heat source or combustion gases directly contact material. • It ensures rapid heat transfer, but generates massive off-gas volumes with explosion risks. |
• Primarily for soil volume reduction and decontamination; • Cannot recover high-purity pyrolysis oil. |
| Indirect Heating Unit | In-situ Treatment | Electrical Thermal Well / Blanket System | No excavation required, heats subsurface soil to volatilize contaminants, which are then extracted and routed to downstream treatment systems. | • On-site soil remediation; • Extracts and filters volatile oil gas; • Cannot achieve resource recovery of pyrolysis oil. |
| Ex-situ Treatment | Sealed Indirect Heating TDU Reactor | • Indirect thermal conduction through reactor wall. • Zero contact between material and combustion gases. • Efficiently pyrolyzes and condenses oil sludge under a controlled, sealed high-temperature environment. |
• Remediation; • High-value pyrolysis oil recovery |
Note: in-situ treatment: Thermal desorption occurs directly at the contaminated site without excavation; ex-situ treatment: Contaminated materials are excavated and processed in a controlled facility.
For eco-friendly, compliant, and sustainable soil/oil sludge treatment, choose Beston’s solutions!
Beston Group’s TDU adopts indirectly heated, ex-situ treatment process, suitable for LTTD & HTTD.
FAQ of Thermal Desorption Equipment
01What types of oil sludge can be treated by thermal desorption?
- Contaminated soil from oil spills
- Oilfield oil sludge: landing sludge, oil-based mud (OBM)
- Tank bottom sludge
- Refining sludge: separation tank sludge, floatation dcum, excess activated sludge
02What is the operating temperature range for oil sludge pyrolysis?
- Initial oil production: Liquid pyrolysis oil begins to yield at around 180°C.
- Peak oil yield: The main oil production phase occurs inside the reactor between 280°C and 350°C.
Note: Actual operating temperatures depend on oil sludge types (e.g., landing sludge or centrifuged sludge), chemical composition (e.g., resin and asphaltene content), moisture levels, and heating rates.
03What is the oil content in the oil sludge residue after TDU treatment?
04Do you provide installation, commissioning, and training?
Our technical team ensures your team is fully equipped to operate the plant safely and efficiently before handover.
05Can we visit a running demonstration plant?
You are welcome to see our equipment in real operation and speak with our engineers directly. We have 2026 visit schedules available — please contact us to arrange your trip and learn more about upcoming tour opportunities.
Explore Latest Industry Knowledge of Oil Sludge Treatment Industry
Want to dive deeper into oil sludge pyrolysis technology, compliance trends, and market profitability? Explore our latest industry articles below:
Get Customized Oil Sludge Treatment Solution
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