Dolphin Centrifuge supplies three-phase disc stack centrifuge systems for used motor oil recovery, re-refining, and black diesel cleaning. Operating at up to 8,000 G, these systems process 10–60 GPM continuously — removing water, sludge, metals, and carbon to produce clean, sale-ready product. Based in Warren, Michigan, with 40+ years of waste oil separation expertise across fleet services, re-refiners, and fuel blenders.
Our disc stack centrifuges turn dirty waste oil into clean, sale-ready product. Whether you collect used motor oil, process black diesel, or re-refine industrial lubricants, Dolphin Centrifuge has a proven system for your operation.
Why Centrifuges for Used Motor Oil
Used motor oil contains water, sludge, metals, and carbon particles that must be removed before the oil can be sold, re-refined, or blended into fuel. Traditional filtration struggles with sub-micron contaminants and high volumes. Disc stack centrifuges use up to 8,000 G-force to separate these contaminants continuously at flow rates of 10–60 GPM — far outperforming filters in both speed and cleanliness.
Dolphin Centrifuge provides turnkey centrifuge systems that include heaters, feed pumps, piping, and controls — ready to plug into your existing process.
Waste Oil Recovery
3-Phase Oil Recovery — Recover clean, sale-ready oil from collected waste oil streams. Our 3-phase disc stack centrifuges remove water, sludge, and metals down to 1 micron. Processing capacity ranges from 10 to 50 GPM depending on the centrifuge model selected.
The waste oil centrifuge application is the most popular configuration in our used motor oil lineup. Customers typically see payback in under 12 months through recovered oil sales.
Used Oil Re-Refining
Re-Refining & Fuel Blending — Process used motor oil, transmission fluid, and industrial lubricants for re-refining or fuel blending. The centrifuge removes ash, metals, and water to produce a clean feedstock.
For dedicated re-refining operations, visit our used oil re-refining centrifuge page for detailed system specifications and process flow diagrams. Capacities range from 10 to 50 GPM.
Black Diesel Cleaning
Soot & Carbon Removal — Clean black diesel and soot-laden fuels for reuse as burner fuel. Disc stack centrifuges remove carbon, water, and heavy contaminants at flow rates of 10–30 GPM.
Learn more about our black diesel centrifuge systems, which are specifically configured for high-carbon-content fuels.
Turn Waste Oil Into Profitable Product
Our 3-phase disc stack centrifuges pay back in under 12 months through recovered oil sales. Send us a sample of your waste oil — we'll confirm separation performance before you buy.
General Oil Separation
Versatile Oil Purification — Beyond motor oil, our centrifuges handle a wide range of petroleum and bio-based oils. Whether you need to purify, clarify, or polish oil at 5–60 GPM, Dolphin has a solution.
See our full oil centrifuge overview for the complete range of oil separation applications we support.
Choosing the Right System
The right centrifuge depends on your feedstock, throughput requirements, and end-product specifications. Key factors include:
- Flow rate — Match centrifuge capacity to your daily volume
- Contaminant load — Heavy sludge requires a self-cleaning (DMPX series) bowl design
- Water content — High water content calls for a 3-phase separator
- End-product spec — Re-refining demands tighter separation than fuel blending
Our engineers will help you select and size the right system. Contact us for a consultation, or call (248) 522-2573 to speak with a specialist today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a centrifuge clean used motor oil?
A disc stack centrifuge processes used motor oil at up to 8,000 G-force, separating water, sludge, wear metals, and carbon particles from the clean oil phase. The three-phase design simultaneously removes both water and solids in a single continuous pass at flow rates of 10–60 GPM, producing clean oil suitable for resale, re-refining, or fuel blending.
What is the difference between waste oil recovery and re-refining?
Waste oil recovery (also called re-processing) cleans used oil by removing water and solids, producing a product suitable for fuel blending or industrial heating. Re-refining is a more intensive process that restores used oil to base oil quality suitable for lubricant production. Both processes use disc stack centrifuges, but re-refining requires additional treatment steps.
Can Dolphin Centrifuge systems process black diesel?
Yes. Black diesel — a fuel blend made from used motor oil and diesel — contains high carbon and soot concentrations that require centrifugal removal for reuse as burner fuel. Dolphin's disc stack centrifuges are specifically configured for high-carbon-content fuels, removing soot and water at 10–30 GPM.
What flow rate do I need for a used oil collection business?
For used oil collectors processing 500–2,000 gallons per day, a centrifuge sized at 15–30 GPM (like the DMPX-042) is typically appropriate. Larger re-refiners processing 5,000+ gallons per day may require multiple units or the DMPX-070. Dolphin Centrifuge engineers will size your system based on your daily volume and desired processing cycle time.
Does Dolphin Centrifuge supply complete used oil processing systems?
Yes. Dolphin Centrifuge supplies complete turnkey used oil processing systems including the 3-phase disc stack centrifuge, feed pump, electric or steam heater, pre-strainer, flow controls, sludge tank, and PLC panel. Systems are factory-tested at our Warren, MI facility and shipped ready for field connection.
Turn Your Waste Oil Into Revenue
3-phase disc stack centrifuges for waste oil, re-refining, and black diesel. Turnkey systems. Payback under 12 months. 150+ units in stock in Warren, MI.