Application of LCA analysis in assessing environmental impact of different waste mineral oil regeneration processes

CAO Yujing; GE Xiaoyu; WANG Yongze; REN Fumin; YAO Hong

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202609019

Volume 44 Issue 9

Sep. 2026

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Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(9): 182-192

CAO Yujing, GE Xiaoyu, WANG Yongze, REN Fumin, YAO Hong. Application of LCA analysis in assessing environmental impact of different waste mineral oil regeneration processes[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(9): 182-192. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202609019

Citation:

CAO Yujing, GE Xiaoyu, WANG Yongze, REN Fumin, YAO Hong. Application of LCA analysis in assessing environmental impact of different waste mineral oil regeneration processes[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(9): 182-192. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202609019

Citation:

CAO Yujing, GE Xiaoyu, WANG Yongze, REN Fumin, YAO Hong. Application of LCA analysis in assessing environmental impact of different waste mineral oil regeneration processes[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(9): 182-192. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202609019

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Application of LCA analysis in assessing environmental impact of different waste mineral oil regeneration processes

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202609019

1. Energy Saving & Environmental Protection & Occupational Safety and Health Research, China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited, Beijing 100081, China;
2. School of Carbon Neutrality and Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China

Received Date: 2025-12-05
Available Online: 2026-11-05

Abstract

Abstract

This study employed the Life Cycle Assessment （LCA） methodology to systematically compare the environmental impacts of two waste oil regeneration processes： membrane separation purification and distillation purification. A comprehensive evaluation based on characterization， standardization， and uncertainty and sensitivity analyses indicates that the membrane separation process offers significant environmental advantages. The environmental impacts at each stage were consistently lower than those of the distillation process， with reductions of approximately 57.5% and 56.2% in climate change and fossil resource depletion， respectively. End-point damage analysis revealed that the total environmental damage score for the membrane separation process was 7.219 Pt， a reduction of 59.6% compared to the distillation process （17.863 Pt）， and it performed better in terms of human health， ecosystem quality， and resource consumption. Uncertainty analysis indicated that the membrane separation process had a lower coefficient of variation （9.79%）， yielding more robust results. Sensitivity analysis further revealed that energy consumption was the primary driver of environmental damage for both processes. In summary， the membrane separation refining process is the preferred choice for waste oil regeneration technology， offering superior environmental performance and more reliable results； improvements to the distillation refining process should prioritise energy conservation and optimisation of the energy mix. This study provides a scientific basis for green decision-making regarding waste oil regeneration technologies.
- life cycle assessment,
- waste mineral oil regeneration process,
- SimaPro,
- environmental impact,
- ReCiPe

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References(37)

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