NexLube Tampa LLC has completed the permit process and plans to begin construction of a rerefinery and blending plant in Tampa, Fla., in 2012, with opening expected in 2013.
An independent start-up, NexLube opened in February 2010. In June 2010, the Tampa Port Authority approved a 20-year lease option agreement with NexLube for a 12-acre, $75 million rerefinery and blending plant project.
The facility is expected to process 24 million gallons of used oil annually. The rerefinery would produce an estimated 17 million gallons per year (about 1,100 barrels per day) of API Group II base oil. After on-site blending, NexLube estimates it will produce about 21 million gallons per year of various grades of motor oil, hydraulic fluid, transmission fluid and other specialty products. In addition, NexLube projects it will produce 2.4 million gallons per year of diesel fuel and 3 million gallons of asphalt.
We have started detailed engineering, and we have selected the Revivoil technology which was developed by Viscolube of Italy and Axens of France, Enzio DAngelo, NexLube Tampa managing director, told Lube Report. They have two plants in Italy, and they have built plants in Poland, Indonesia and Spain. We believe that the Revivoil technology is the one that will produce more base lube from used oil, and the quality of the product is much, much better.
He noted that Florida is second only to California in the amount of waste oil collected. There are more than 200 oil collectors in Florida, DAngelo said. We will buy used oil from them. We will not collect the used oil.
According to DAngelo, NexLube hopes to market products in a closed-loop process, where the company will provide its branded products to a municipality or other customer that has its own fleet of vehicles. The fleet uses the branded product and then returns the used oil to NexLube for rerefining. NexLube said it may also sell its lubricants directly via local quick lubes or auto parts dealers.
According to NexLube, the site will offer ideal access to both rail and deep water shipping, along with proximity to major highways. The site also has available land for future expansion.
The building plans call for use of solar power to help reduce electrical consumption.
NexLube plans to build its own re-use water line from its plant at the Port of Tampa to the City of Tampas wastewater treatment plant. The plant design will include a closed loop stormwater system, to capture all rainwater falling on the site for use as process water, to further minimize use of potable water.