BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT96-2025 - Increase of performance of natural regrowing oils to lubricate earthmoving equipment

FAIR-CT96-2025
Increase of performance of natural regrowing oils to lubricate earthmoving equipment

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Bulk Chemicals : Economics : Enviromental Aspects : FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain : Vegetable Oil/Fat

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT96-2025
	Total Cost	2,100,000 ECU
	EC Contribution	1,050,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/01/1996
	Duration	36 Months

Increase of performance of natural regrowing oils to lubricate earth-moving equipment

Objectives

The aim of this research project is to valorise vegetable oils, increasing their performance, in combination with the latest technology in additive chemistry, in order to overcome existing problems encountered when using natural feedstocks. To encourage end users and increase their confidence in the use of biodegradable vegetable lubricants, optimising performance through relevant tests.

The main problems encountered when using rapeseed-based oil in critical machinery elements have been defined (according to the experience of the Public Work Machine Manufacturers and the COST/REAL group of Tribology) to be: poor behaviour in relation to low temperature properties, hydrolytic and oxidation stability problems, overheating, compatibility, smell and corrosivity.

Technical Approach

Development of new feedstocks derived from industrial crops.
Biological and chemical improvement of vegetable oils, decreasing the content of non-stable products in order to improve the rheological behaviour of rapeseed oils.
Increased oxidation and hydrolytic stability and decreased temperature limitations.
Transformation of these oils into higher added value products for use as lubricants and hydraulic oils including grease for gears.

Specialists in surface treatment (HEF) and lubrication (Tekniker) with combined expertise in tribology will perform field and laboratory tests, as well as examination of machine elements, in order to improve technical performance and efficiency of these new vegetable lubricants. Lifecycle analysis will be used to evaluate environmental impact and cost-effectiveness throughout the complete chain.

Potential exploitation plans

Combining the knowledge of the oil manufacturer (Repsol) that is developing high performance modified vegetable oil with that of the additive manufacturer (Rhein Chemie), should enable production of a new line of reliable, biodegradable vegetable oils. These will be suitable for many applications (up to the 20% of the lubricants market) and should overcome existing technical and economic limitations of existing biodegradable lubricants.

Results

A biodegradable hydraulic lubricant based on a renewable industrial crop has been designed and tested. It is suitable for use in warm countries where the behaviour of the new lubricant is very good. In order to achieve similar results when the oil is used in low temperature, as encountered in cold countries, it will be necessary to produce a mixture of natural oils with synthetic lubricants. Such mixtures with appropriate additives are currently under development and testing.

Development of biodegradable lubricants for earthmoving equipment

Contacts

Coordinator

Amaya IGARTUA / Tekniker Research Foundation Manufacturing Processes Dept / SPAIN

Participant