Chapter 7
Technologies for Conversion
Bio-Lubricant Production in Fatty Acids
Yu Cao, Ning Wang, Hongchen Fu, Fei You, and Liangnian He
Abstract In response to the increasing environmental pollution concern and depleting petroleum reserves, bio-lubricants have received wide attention in replacement
of mineral oil. Vegetable oils can be used as potential source of environmentally
friendly bio-lubricants because of their biodegradability, renewability, and excellent
lubrication performance. Present chapter introduces properties of several raw oils as
well as oil extraction methods. Besides, vegetable oils also have some limitations
such as poor oxidative stability and low-temperature fluidity, which can be improved
through various modification methods such as direct transesterification or selective
hydrogenation. Technology for modification of raw oils has also been described.
Additionally, additives have a significant influence on the performance of the lubricating oil. The characteristic and applicability of different commonly used additives
in bio-lubricant have been summarized in this chapter. Castor oil has a higher viscosity and a lower viscosity index compared with other vegetable oils. This chapter
in particular describes the development of production process for the castor-based
biodegradable lubricant.
Keywords Bio-based lubricant · Vegetable oil · Chemical modification ·
Renewable resources · Castor oil
7.1 Introduction
With rapid development of machinery industry, the demand and consumption of
lubricants rise continuously. Almost all lubricants are composed of base oils and
additives. At present, the vast majority of base oil of lubricants is mineral oil. In
consideration of the progressive depletion of the world reserves of fossil fuels, it is
very necessary to develop alternatives of petroleum-based products. Furthermore,
Y. Cao · N. Wang · H. Fu · F. You · L. He (B)
State Key Laboratory, Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai
University, Tianjin 300071, China
e-mail: heln@nankai.edu.cn
H. Fu
College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tongyan Road 38, Tianjin 300353, China
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
C. Li et al. (eds.), Industrial Oil Plant,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4920-5_7
175
Technologies for Conversion
Bio-Lubricant Production in Fatty Acids
Yu Cao, Ning Wang, Hongchen Fu, Fei You, and Liangnian He
Abstract In response to the increasing environmental pollution concern and depleting petroleum reserves, bio-lubricants have received wide attention in replacement
of mineral oil. Vegetable oils can be used as potential source of environmentally
friendly bio-lubricants because of their biodegradability, renewability, and excellent
lubrication performance. Present chapter introduces properties of several raw oils as
well as oil extraction methods. Besides, vegetable oils also have some limitations
such as poor oxidative stability and low-temperature fluidity, which can be improved
through various modification methods such as direct transesterification or selective
hydrogenation. Technology for modification of raw oils has also been described.
Additionally, additives have a significant influence on the performance of the lubricating oil. The characteristic and applicability of different commonly used additives
in bio-lubricant have been summarized in this chapter. Castor oil has a higher viscosity and a lower viscosity index compared with other vegetable oils. This chapter
in particular describes the development of production process for the castor-based
biodegradable lubricant.
Keywords Bio-based lubricant · Vegetable oil · Chemical modification ·
Renewable resources · Castor oil
7.1 Introduction
With rapid development of machinery industry, the demand and consumption of
lubricants rise continuously. Almost all lubricants are composed of base oils and
additives. At present, the vast majority of base oil of lubricants is mineral oil. In
consideration of the progressive depletion of the world reserves of fossil fuels, it is
very necessary to develop alternatives of petroleum-based products. Furthermore,
Y. Cao · N. Wang · H. Fu · F. You · L. He (B)
State Key Laboratory, Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai
University, Tianjin 300071, China
e-mail: heln@nankai.edu.cn
H. Fu
College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tongyan Road 38, Tianjin 300353, China
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
C. Li et al. (eds.), Industrial Oil Plant,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4920-5_7
175