At Fluid-Aire Dynamics, sustainability and responsible waste management are core elements of our commitment to environmental stewardship. One of the most significant aspects of this is how we handle waste oil during preventive maintenance (PM) services for our customers’ compressed air systems. By adhering to EPA guidelines and minimizing environmental impact, we ensure our operations — and our customers’ — align with both legal requirements and our sustainability goals.
How We Manage Compressor Waste Oil
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has outlined guidelines for managing waste oil, including compressor oil, in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 40 Part 279. These regulations are designed to ensure that used oil is handled in an environmentally responsible way. While compressor oil is typically classified as non-hazardous, it still must be managed according to federal, state and local regulations.
Fluid-Aire Dynamics helps our customers comply with the EPA standards and other state and local regulations regarding collection and disposal of used oil.
- During routine PM services, we carefully collect the waste oil drained from compressors and oil filters. Additionally, we handle oil-water sludge from oil-water separators, ensuring that all waste byproducts are collected and managed responsibly. We rely on either electric or manual extraction pumps to efficiently drain oil from compressors, as many compressor drain valves are too close to the ground for gravity drainage to be effective.
- For smaller accounts, we transport the waste oil in 5-gallon jugs back to the Fluid-Aire Dynamics service center, where we hold it for pick up by an authorized oil disposal company. We work with our larger clients to find a compliant transportation solution.
- Once back at our facility, the collected oil is stored in Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes) positioned on spill containment decks to prevent leaks and spillage. These IBC totes are regularly emptied by a third-party oil reclamation company, ensuring that the oil is handled properly for recycling and further processing.
- Used oil may undergo filtration, cleaning and re-refining to make it suitable for other uses. Any byproducts or waste materials left after reclamation are typically treated to neutralize harmful components before disposal. Non-recyclable contaminants, such as certain chemicals or sludge, are often sent to a licensed hazardous waste facility. All of this is handled by our third-party oil reclamation partners in accordance with EPA guidelines.
Oil reclamation and disposal is a standard part of our air compressor preventative maintenance services. We handle waste management for you, so you don’t have to worry. Our factory-trained technicians will keep your system in tip-top shape and ensure that your facility is compliant with EPA regulations regarding compressor oil recovery.
Schedule your PM service today.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Fluid-Aire Dynamics is proud to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the compressed air industry. That goes beyond just oil management. As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we continually look for ways to reduce waste, conserve energy and protect the environment while providing top-quality service to our customers. For example, we have made significant strides toward becoming a paper-free organization. We now manage invoicing and service reports electronically, reducing our paper usage and further decreasing our environmental footprint.
In addition to oil disposal, we also help our customers meet their sustainability goals through energy-saving improvements to compressed air systems. Compressed air is one of the biggest energy consumers for many manufacturers. Increasing the efficiency of the compressed air system by 10-30% can produce significant energy and cost savings, improving sustainability for the plant as a whole. We work with our clients to find energy incentives offered by their power companies to offset the costs of efficiency measures.
These measures might include:
- Leak detection and repair
- VSD air compressors or dryers
- Zero-loss drains and high-efficiency air nozzles
- Pressure reduction strategies
These projects often start with a data logging study or energy audit to find the best opportunities for energy savings.
Together, we can create a more sustainable compressed air industry.
If you have questions about oil recovery, energy savings, or anything else, our technicians are here to serve you.
Contact us to schedule an energy audit.
