“Eco - friendly Multifunction Petroleum Additives : Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation”

Abstract

The present study deals with the preparation of blends containing Soybean Lecithin (SL) and mineral base oils and evaluation of Soy Lecithin as an eco-friendly multifunctional additive in lubricating oils to alternate already used additives depending on its low toxicity to the environment, chemical structure, bioavailability and biodegradability. In addition, improves the properties of Soy Lecithin in lubricating oil formulation by applying different methods.

1. Preparation of blends containing Soy Lecithin (SL) and mineral base oils Soy Lecithin was blended with mineral base oils with different mass % (0.5, 1, 3, and 5 mass %) respectively, a blend was stirred at 65 °C for 1h and then a blank blend was prepared, without SL, to determine the effect of SL addition. Rust preventing characteristic and oxidation stability of blends were evaluated. Experiments such as modification of Soy Lecithin, addition of eco-friendly antioxidants, preparation of new additives using Soy Lecithin and addition of prepared additives to mineral base oils were carried out to enhance the oxidation stability.

2. Modification of Soy Lecithin (SL) SL was modified to obtain products with better oxidation stability. Modification of SL included fractionation, de-oiling and hydroxylation. In fractionation, (300 ml) of ethanol (95 %) was added to (100 ml) of Soy Lecithin and stirred at 65 °C for 1h and then the mixture was centrifuged for around 20 min. Ethanol insoluble layer was removed and then ethanol was removed from the remaining product by distillation at 78 °C to separate phosphotidylcholine (PC) residue. (5 and 9 mass %) of final product was blended individually with mineral base oil. Oxidation stability of blends was evaluated.