Before being processed into fuel, the waste materials, which include discarded plastics and excess rubber from leather shoes, undergo a screening and cleaning process, followed by a high-temperature distillation system with various additives. This system operates according to chemical formulas developed in the laboratory by Vu Duc Hoa and his father, the director of Hoang Dai private enterprise. The production line can process 5 tons per day, yielding up to 200 liters of oil per hour. This black liquid is produced in such quantities that tanker trucks are already waiting to transport it, as it functions similarly to diesel and FO oil, making it suitable for fueling cars, boats, generators, or for burning in furnaces.
The initiative by Hoang Dai Company has quickly garnered public interest, especially as gasoline prices continue to rise and the issue of waste pollution, particularly plastic and nylon waste, becomes increasingly severe. However, there are also concerns regarding the quality of this oil and its potential environmental impact. In response to these concerns, the Hai Phong Department of Science and Technology inspected the facility and requested samples to be sent to Hanoi for quality assessment and environmental impact evaluation.
On September 16, the test results from the Petroleum Additives Center at the Institute of Industrial Chemistry revealed that the DO oil from Hoang Dai Company did not meet the standards for fuel oil. “Out of the 11 standards, there are 3 critical indicators that do not meet Vietnamese standards. The carbon residue is 15 times higher than the permissible level (5.3% compared to the maximum standard of 0.3%); sulfur content is 1.5 times higher (0.83% compared to the standard of 0.5%), and the water and sediment content is 2.5 times greater,” said Nguyen Cong Bac, Director of the Petroleum Additives Center.
Due to the impurities in this oil, when used in cars or motorcycles, carbon residue will accumulate in the combustion chamber, leading to rapid engine damage, and the exhaust will contribute to environmental pollution. Additionally, the high sulfur content not only harms the engine but also accelerates the degradation of the lubricating oil, reducing its lifespan. Bac explained that these factors mean the product can only be used to start engines and cannot yet be used as a long-term fuel source. To produce clean diesel, the company needs to improve its technology to separate water, sediment, and neutralize excess acid.
However, Nguyen Son Thuy, Deputy Head of the Technology Management Department at the Hai Phong Department of Science and Technology, believes that the three unmet criteria primarily affect equipment and machinery and do not significantly impact human health. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage the company to continue experimenting and refining the product. He noted that the department would continue to provide funding to assist Hoang Dai in improving its production process, minimizing environmental harm, and getting the product tested at higher levels.
Meanwhile, Dang Duong Binh, Head of the Environmental Management Division at the Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment, stated that for the aforementioned “DO oil” to be circulated in the market, it must undergo testing by the National Center for Measurement Standards. Any other test results are merely for reference. Until it receives official approval, the product should not be widely used.
M. Thi – Thuan An
