The client, based in Henan Province, China, specializes in waste oil recovery and base oil refining. In 2022, the client planned to upgrade their production process. They required equipment capable of providing a stable high-temperature heat source for heating during the pre-distillation and distillation stages of waste oil processing. Following multiple rounds of technical discussions and on-site inspections, the client selected our 2 million kcal molten salt boiler. Installation and commissioning were completed in May of the same year, with the equipment entering full operation. The client’s core requirements were clear: stable output of 500°C high-temperature heat, uniform heat transfer, and precise temperature control. The system also needed to integrate seamlessly with the continuous production process of waste oil regeneration while ensuring long-term operational reliability and safety.
The entire system utilizes molten salt as the heat transfer medium, aligning with the client’s production workflow. The core component is a 2 million kcal molten salt boiler employing gas-fired heating. With thermal efficiency exceeding 92%, it meets the 500°C rated heating demand while minimizing energy consumption. Supporting facilities were configured as follows: 1 dedicated molten salt tank for storage and insulation; 3 submersible molten salt pumps operating in a 2-active-1-standby configuration to ensure uninterrupted circulation; multiple molten salt electric heaters for auxiliary heating, maintaining stable temperatures and accommodating production load fluctuations. Comprehensive safety and control features include an intelligent temperature control system maintaining deviations within ±5°C. Over-temperature alarms, pressure monitoring, and explosion-proof compliance for used oil processing workshops are fully integrated.
Since its commissioning in May 2022, this molten salt boiler has been integral to the core regeneration process of the customer’s waste engine oil treatment. The equipment has maintained stable operation throughout. During production, molten salt is first heated to 500°C within the boiler. It is then pumped via submersible pumps into the jackets of the pre-distillation and rectification tanks, providing uniform heat for waste oil processing. Compared to traditional heating methods, molten salt offers faster heat transfer and more stable temperatures. This effectively prevents localized overheating and coking of waste oil, enhancing the purity and quality of the base lubricant produced. The system’s closed-loop design also minimizes heat loss, helping the customer reduce energy consumption per unit of product. To date, the equipment has operated continuously and stably for over three years without any failure-induced shutdowns. The customer only performs scheduled maintenance as per specifications, such as lubricating the molten salt submersible pump, cleaning the heater, and calibrating the temperature control system. All performance indicators consistently remain within design standards, fully meeting the continuous production and high-reliability operational demands of the waste engine oil regeneration industry.
The customer’s production manager stated that this molten salt boiler fully meets their 500°C high-temperature heating requirements. Its precise temperature control and uniform heat transfer directly improve product yield rates. With over three years of fault-free operation requiring only routine maintenance, it significantly reduces equipment maintenance costs and downtime losses, providing robust support for continuous production. It represents a highly cost-effective heating solution.
