NuVest Energy
NuVest Energy (Pty) Ltd: Revolutionizing Oil Re-Refining for a Sustainable Future
Introduction
NuVest Energy (Pty) Ltd is a pioneering oil re-refining company with over 30 years of collective experience from its Directors and Shareholders in the oil and gas industry. We provide advanced technological and systems-based solutions that deliver future-proof, sustainable management of used oils and waste grease, playing a crucial role in transitioning industries toward a circular economy.
Our mission is to reduce life-cycle environmental impacts by transforming hazardous waste streams — such as used lube oils and waste grease — into valuable, reusable resources. By embracing cradle-to-cradle methodologies, NuVest Energy moves away from the traditional linear model of waste disposal and creates regenerative circular economic models that benefit both business and the environment. Our advanced technology-driven processes not only help clients eliminate, reduce, reuse, and recycle waste, but also reduce costs and liabilities across the supply chain. Through re-refining, we minimize environmental degradation, lower carbon footprints, and reduce climate change potential by converting waste oils into high-quality, reusable hydrocarbon products.
Our Vision: Circular Economy Through Re-Refining
At NuVest Energy, our core belief is that re-refining used oils and waste grease is one of the most effective methods to promote sustainability. Unlike disposal methods that result in lost resources and environmental harm, re-refining preserves valuable hydrocarbons and upcycles hazardous materials into high-value lubricants and fuels.
Through the process of re-refining, NuVest Energy transforms used oil into Group I, Group II, and VGO (Vacuum Gas Oil) products, which can be used as feedstock for FCC (Fluid Catalytic Cracking) or HDC (Hydrocracking) refinery units. This process not only reduces dependency on virgin crude oil but also enables the oil to be reused indefinitely, contributing to a truly circular economy.
The Problem with Used Oil — And the Solution NuVest Energy Provides
Used oil is a hazardous waste that is generated across various industries, particularly in automotive, transportation, and manufacturing. It consists of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons that have become contaminated through use. Without proper management, used oil can cause severe environmental and health risks, including water pollution, soil contamination, and toxic emissions.
Despite its contamination, used oil retains its base lubricating properties. The main issue is that the additives in the oil deplete, and contaminants accumulate over time. However, through re-refining, we can remove the contaminants and restore the oil to a high-quality product, reducing the need to extract and refine virgin crude oil.
NuVest Energy’s re-refining technology not only provides a sustainable way to manage hazardous waste but also reduces costs, carbon emissions, and environmental liabilities for businesses.
Understanding the Science of Oil Re-Refining
The core of NuVest Energy’s business lies in re-refining used lubricating oils. It is important to understand the chemistry behind lubricating oils and how our technology restores their quality through a series of sophisticated processes.
What Are Lubricating Oils?
Lubricating oils are composed of hydrocarbon molecules. These molecules can be divided into three primary groupings:
- Paraffinic Hydrocarbons
- Composed of straight chains of carbon and hydrogen.
- High pour point (temperature at which oil solidifies).
- Excellent viscosity/temperature stability.
- Commonly used in high-performance lubricants.
- Naphthenic Hydrocarbons
- Contain ring structures of carbon atoms.
- Low pour point.
- Tend to have a shorter life span and higher carcinogenic properties, making them less suitable for engine oils.
- Aromatic Hydrocarbons
- Contain benzene ring structures.
- Known for their carcinogenic risks and instability.
Most lubricating oils are a combination of these different hydrocarbon groupings. The key takeaway is that lubricating oil molecules are extremely stable and do not break down during use. Instead, it is the additives in the oil that wear out, and contaminants such as carbon, water, metals, and fuel residues that accumulate. Therefore, the re-refining process focuses on removing these contaminants and restoring the base oil to its original condition.
The NuVest Energy Re-Refining Process
NuVest Energy employs a multi-stage re-refining process that removes contaminants from used oil and produces high-quality base oils suitable for a variety of applications.
Step 1: Dehydration
The first step involves heating the used oil to 120°C in a closed vessel to evaporate any water and light fuels that may have emulsified with the oil. This ensures that the oil is free of water before moving to the next stage.
Step 2: Diesel Stripping
The dehydrated oil is then fed into a Thin Film Evaporator (TFE), where light fuel and diesel fractions are separated. The remaining bulk of the oil is distilled into a lubricating oil fraction.
Products obtained at this stage:
- Light Fuel & Diesel – Can be used for fuel blending or energy recovery.
- Lubricating Oil Fraction – The main product stream that will undergo further refinement.
Step 3: Residue Management
The non-distillable residue contains carbon, wear metals, degraded additives, and oxidation products. At NuVest Energy, this residue is not wasted. Instead, it is repurposed as a bitumen extender, which can be used for road construction and roofing materials.
Step 4: Lube Oil Distillation and Condensation
The final stage involves solvent extraction using N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP) to remove aromatic contaminants from the lubricating oil fraction. The result is a high-quality Group I base oil that can be further processed into Group II base oils or other specialized products.
Environmental and Economic Benefits of Re-Refining
- Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Every 380 million litres of re-refined oil used in place of virgin base stock saves 650 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 20 million trees over 10 years.
- Conserves Resources: Re-refining significantly reduces the demand for virgin crude oil extraction, which is a finite resource.
- Reduces Liability and Environmental Risk: Proper disposal of hazardous waste oils is a major liability for industries. Re-refining provides a safe and responsible solution that reduces risk.
- Supports a Circular Economy: Re-refining used oil ensures that the same resource can be reused multiple times, supporting a cradle-to-cradle model instead of a linear “take-make-dispose” model.
Circular Economy Impact
At NuVest Energy, we view re-refining as a key enabler of the circular economy. By turning hazardous waste into a reusable resource, we reduce reliance on finite resources and minimize environmental impacts. Our re-refined products are indistinguishable from virgin products in quality, performance, and reliability — but with significant environmental savings.
Summary of Key Benefits of Re-Refining with NuVest Energy
- High-Quality Products: Produces Group I, Group II base oils, and Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO) suitable for FCC or HDC refinery units.
- Cost Savings: Re-refining saves costs throughout the supply chain by reducing the need for virgin oil.
- Environmental Impact: Dramatically lowers carbon emissions, waste generation, and climate change potential.
- Circular Economy: Supports sustainable resource management by closing the loop on oil consumption.
NuVest Energy is at the forefront of oil re-refining innovation, driving the transition toward a circular economy through technological advancements and sustainable practices. By offering economically viable and environmentally responsible solutions, we help our clients reduce costs, lower risks, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
Our focus on cradle-to-cradle methodologies ensures that no resource goes to waste — turning a hazardous material into a valuable commodity that can be used again and again.