Date Available

12-7-2011

Year of Publication

2007

Document Type

Thesis

College

Engineering

Department

Chemical Engineering

First Advisor

Eric A. Grulke

Abstract

The major downfalls of vegetable oils, namely soybean oil in this research, are very detrimental to engine lubricant performance. A unique - out of the box- additive package is needed to compensate for the lubricant deficiencies. This research searched for unique additive solutions to the problems of oxidation and heat stability, low temperature pumpability, and fluid corrosiveness. The additive solutions were then tested in preliminary engine tests. In this research, several formulations were developed that passed the main engine oil low temperature test, the mini rotary viscometer. The lubricants met the passing viscosity requirements of 60,000 centipoise and exhibited no yield stress. The formulation was tested using ASTM D 6594[1], hot tube corrosion bench test, and Sequence VIII corrosion engine test. Acceptable results were seen in both tests. Oxidation bench tests were used to examine soybean engine oil stability. Several antioxidants showed improved performance in the TFOUT oxidation induction time bench test. A mixture of those antioxidants was tested in the Sequence IIIG engine test. All of the formulas failed the Sequence IIIG tests. However, improved test results were seen when the soybean oil was decreased from 15 wt % to 5 wt % in the formulations.

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