“A lubricant is a substance introduced to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when the surfaces move. It may also have the function of transmitting forces, transporting foreign particles, or heating or cooling the surfaces. The property of reducing friction is known as lubricity”.

FUNCTIONS OF A LUBRICANT // MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

• Heat removal
• Friction reduction
• Suspension of contaminants
• Anti wear
• Anti corrosion

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

• High boiling point and low pour point (in order to stay liquid within a wide range of temperature)
• High viscosity index
• Thermal stability
• Hydraulic stability
• Demulsibility
• Corrosion prevention
• High resistance to oxidation
• Good miscibility with other oils
• Effective at extreme pressures

LUBRICANT PRODUCTION

HOW IS IT PRODUCED?

An oil contains 2 – 30 % of chemical compounds, known as additives and 70 – 98 % of base lubricants oils blended  in a vessel

BASE LUBRICANT OIL – HOW IS IT OR CAN BE PRODUCED?

Mineral Base oils derived from crude oil

The oil refining process starts with a fractional distillation column. Crude oil contains hundreds of different types of hydrocarbons all mixed together. Useful compounds have to be separated. Fortunately there is an easy way to separate things: Different hydrocarbon chain lengths all have progressively higher boiling points, so they can all be separated by distillation. In one part of the process, crude oil is heated and the different chains are pulled out by their vaporization temperatures. Each different chain length has a different property that makes it useful in a different way.  Lubricating Oil is among the useful products.

Waste lube oil, through contamination, has become unsuitable for its original purpose due to the presence of impurities (water, diesel, heavy asphaltic products) or loss of original properties. Re-refining unit separates water, diesel and heavy asphaltic and through distillation recovers the lubricating oil (distillate) as the crude oil refinery does

Hydrotreatment unit treats Lubricating Oil fraction (distillate) in presence of selected catalysts to refine it from undesirable chemical compounds which make the oil unsuitable for use as a base oil. The process results to be produced high quality base oils with:

• Light colour
• High Viscosity Index
• Very low Total Acid Number
• Low Volatility
• High Oxidative Stability
• Low Sulfur
• Low Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
• Low Pour Point

and the produced base oil is mixed with additives to produce lubricants for any use, is used and at the end of its life is collected and is treated again by the refinery so the loop ends and base oil’s life begins again…

Mineral Base oils derived from crude oil

The oil refining process starts with a fractional distillation column. Crude oil contains hundreds of different types of hydrocarbons all mixed together. Useful compounds have to be separated. Fortunately there is an easy way to separate things: Different hydrocarbon chain lengths all have progressively higher boiling points, so they can all be separated by distillation. In one part of the process, crude oil is heated and the different chains are pulled out by their vaporization temperatures. Each different chain length has a different property that makes it useful in a different way.  Lubricating Oil is among the useful products. Waste lube oil, through contamination, has become unsuitable for its original purpose due to the presence of impurities (water, diesel, heavy asphaltic products) or loss of original properties. Re-refining unit separates water, diesel and heavy asphaltic and through distillation recovers the lubricating oil (distillate) as the crude oil refinery does Hydrotreatment unit treats Lubricating Oil fraction (distillate) in presence of selected catalysts to refine it from undesirable chemical compounds which make the oil unsuitable for use as a base oil. The process results to be produced high quality base oils with:

• Light colour
• High Viscosity Index
• Very low Total Acid Number
• Low Volatility
• High Oxidative Stability
• Low Sulfur
• Low Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
• Low Pour Point

and the produced base oil is mixed with additives to produce lubricants for any use, is used and at the end of its life is collected and is treated again by the refinery so the loop ends and base oil’s life begins again…

b) Synthetic base oils

PAO

API Group IV Polyalphaolefins are of 100% synthetic chemical compounds.

Poly-Alpha-Olefin (or poly-α-olefin, abbreviated as PAO) is a polymer made by polymerizing an alpha-olefin. It is a specific type of olefin (organic) that is used as a base stock in the production of synthetic lubricants. They offer a wide range of lubricating properties as they have very stable chemical compositions and highly uniform molecular chains.

ESTERPAO

API Group V esters are 100% synthetic chemical compounds derived by reacting an acid with an alcohol or phenol. Many chemically different “esters” due to their usually excellent lubricity are used for various reasons as either “additives” or “base stocks” for lubricants. They are very expensive and therefore are used in small percentages to stabilize the final lubricant.

c) Mineral vs Synthetic base oils

Synthetic base oils:

• Give better thermal and oxidation stability
• Retain their viscosity
• Are less volatile
• Show improved frictional properties
• Last longer
• Show less solubility

d) Impact of Base Oil in Lubricant Performance

Desired Performance Characteristics:

• High Oxidation and Thermal stability
• High Viscosity Index
• Low Volatility
• Low Pour Point
• Seal Compatibility
• Solubility for additives

Additives are chemical compounds used to impart performance characteristics to the finished oil formulation and maintain function of the finished product over a long time

“Families”

• Antioxidant
• Detergents
• Anti-wear
• Metal deactivators
• Corrosion inhibitors, Rust inhibitors
• Friction modifiers
• Extreme Pressure
• Anti-foaming agents
• Viscosity index improvers
• Demulsifying/Emulsifying

APPLICATIONS

ENGINE OILS

• Base Oils (70 – 95%)
• Performance Package (5 – 20%)
• Viscosity Modifier (0 – 20%)
• Miscalleneus Additives (0 – 2%)

AN ENGINE OIL MUST:

1. Reduce friction
2. Reduce oxidation
3. Minimise deposit formation
4. Prevent corrosion and wear

Key Quality Factors : Cold Cranking Simulator, Viscosity Index, Total Base Nr, Approvals They are mineral, synthetic or semisynthetic according to the nature of base oil (mineral, synthetic or mixture)

HYDRAULIC OILS

In hydraulic oils the additives treat rate is only 0,5 – 2,0%!

A good quality hydraulic oil is a careful blend of additives with high quality base oils!!!

For:

• Gear pumps
• Vane pumps
• Piston pumps

Transmission Oils

• Automotive gears
• Off – highway
• Automatic Transmission Fluids

Key Quality factors :

• Suitable viscosity
• Thermal stability
• Foam resistance
• Rust and corrosion protection
• Seal compatibility
• Filterability
• Demulsibility
• Hydrolytic stability
• Oxidation stability
• Wear resistance
• Total Acid Nr
• Approvals

TRANSMISSION OILS

Key Quality Factors:

• Internal cooling of gears by transport heat to gear box housing or the separate oil container
• Corrosion, wear, deposit, foam protection
• Oxidation stability
• Elastomer compatibility
• Friction characteristics compatible with synchronizer materials to ensure optimum gear shift
• Extreme pressure protection
• Low temperature fluidity (mostly for Automatic Transmission Fluid)
• High Viscosity Index (mostly for Automatic Transmission Fluid)
• Excellent antifoam and air release behavior to ensure right function of the hydraulics unit

• Automotive gears
• Off – highway
• Automatic Transmission Fluids

“A lubricant is a substance introduced to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when the surfaces move. It may also have the function of transmitting forces, transporting foreign particles, or heating or cooling the surfaces. The property of reducing friction is known as lubricity”.

FUNCTIONS OF A LUBRICANT // MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

• Heat removal
• Friction reduction
• Suspension of contaminants
• Anti wear
• Anti corrosion

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

• High boiling point and low pour point (in order to stay liquid within a wide range of temperature)
• High viscosity index
• Thermal stability
• Hydraulic stability
• Demulsibility
• Corrosion prevention
• High resistance to oxidation
• Good miscibility with other oils
• Effective at extreme pressures

LUBRICANT PRODUCTION

HOW IS IT PRODUCED?

An oil contains 2 – 30 % of chemical compounds, known as additives and 70 – 98 % of base lubricants oils blended  in a vessel

BASE LUBRICANT OIL – HOW IS IT OR CAN BE PRODUCED?

Mineral Base oils derived from crude oil

The oil refining process starts with a fractional distillation column. Crude oil contains hundreds of different types of hydrocarbons all mixed together. Useful compounds have to be separated. Fortunately there is an easy way to separate things: Different hydrocarbon chain lengths all have progressively higher boiling points, so they can all be separated by distillation. In one part of the process, crude oil is heated and the different chains are pulled out by their vaporization temperatures. Each different chain length has a different property that makes it useful in a different way.  Lubricating Oil is among the useful products.

Waste lube oil, through contamination, has become unsuitable for its original purpose due to the presence of impurities (water, diesel, heavy asphaltic products) or loss of original properties. Re-refining unit separates water, diesel and heavy asphaltic and through distillation recovers the lubricating oil (distillate) as the crude oil refinery does

Hydrotreatment unit treats Lubricating Oil fraction (distillate) in presence of selected catalysts to refine it from undesirable chemical compounds which make the oil unsuitable for use as a base oil. The process results to be produced high quality base oils with:

• Light colour
• High Viscosity Index
• Very low Total Acid Number
• Low Volatility
• High Oxidative Stability
• Low Sulfur
• Low Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
• Low Pour Point

and the produced base oil is mixed with additives to produce lubricants for any use, is used and at the end of its life is collected and is treated again by the refinery so the loop ends and base oil’s life begins again…

Mineral Base oils derived from crude oil

The oil refining process starts with a fractional distillation column. Crude oil contains hundreds of different types of hydrocarbons all mixed together. Useful compounds have to be separated. Fortunately there is an easy way to separate things: Different hydrocarbon chain lengths all have progressively higher boiling points, so they can all be separated by distillation. In one part of the process, crude oil is heated and the different chains are pulled out by their vaporization temperatures. Each different chain length has a different property that makes it useful in a different way.  Lubricating Oil is among the useful products. Waste lube oil, through contamination, has become unsuitable for its original purpose due to the presence of impurities (water, diesel, heavy asphaltic products) or loss of original properties. Re-refining unit separates water, diesel and heavy asphaltic and through distillation recovers the lubricating oil (distillate) as the crude oil refinery does Hydrotreatment unit treats Lubricating Oil fraction (distillate) in presence of selected catalysts to refine it from undesirable chemical compounds which make the oil unsuitable for use as a base oil. The process results to be produced high quality base oils with:

• Light colour
• High Viscosity Index
• Very low Total Acid Number
• Low Volatility
• High Oxidative Stability
• Low Sulfur
• Low Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
• Low Pour Point

and the produced base oil is mixed with additives to produce lubricants for any use, is used and at the end of its life is collected and is treated again by the refinery so the loop ends and base oil’s life begins again…

b) Synthetic base oils

PAO

API Group IV Polyalphaolefins are of 100% synthetic chemical compounds.

Poly-Alpha-Olefin (or poly-α-olefin, abbreviated as PAO) is a polymer made by polymerizing an alpha-olefin. It is a specific type of olefin (organic) that is used as a base stock in the production of synthetic lubricants. They offer a wide range of lubricating properties as they have very stable chemical compositions and highly uniform molecular chains.

ESTERPAO

API Group V esters are 100% synthetic chemical compounds derived by reacting an acid with an alcohol or phenol. Many chemically different “esters” due to their usually excellent lubricity are used for various reasons as either “additives” or “base stocks” for lubricants. They are very expensive and therefore are used in small percentages to stabilize the final lubricant.

c) Mineral vs Synthetic base oils

Synthetic base oils:

• Give better thermal and oxidation stability
• Retain their viscosity
• Are less volatile
• Show improved frictional properties
• Last longer
• Show less solubility

d) Impact of Base Oil in Lubricant Performance

Desired Performance Characteristics:

• High Oxidation and Thermal stability
• High Viscosity Index
• Low Volatility
• Low Pour Point
• Seal Compatibility
• Solubility for additives

Additives are chemical compounds used to impart performance characteristics to the finished oil formulation and maintain function of the finished product over a long time

“Families”

• Antioxidant
• Detergents
• Anti-wear
• Metal deactivators
• Corrosion inhibitors, Rust inhibitors
• Friction modifiers
• Extreme Pressure
• Anti-foaming agents
• Viscosity index improvers
• Demulsifying/Emulsifying

APPLICATIONS

ENGINE OILS

• Base Oils (70 – 95%)
• Performance Package (5 – 20%)
• Viscosity Modifier (0 – 20%)
• Miscalleneus Additives (0 – 2%)

AN ENGINE OIL MUST:

1. Reduce friction
2. Reduce oxidation
3. Minimise deposit formation
4. Prevent corrosion and wear

Key Quality Factors : Cold Cranking Simulator, Viscosity Index, Total Base Nr, Approvals They are mineral, synthetic or semisynthetic according to the nature of base oil (mineral, synthetic or mixture)

HYDRAULIC OILS

In hydraulic oils the additives treat rate is only 0,5 – 2,0%!

A good quality hydraulic oil is a careful blend of additives with high quality base oils!!!

For:

• Gear pumps
• Vane pumps
• Piston pumps

Transmission Oils

• Automotive gears
• Off – highway
• Automatic Transmission Fluids

Key Quality factors :

• Suitable viscosity
• Thermal stability
• Foam resistance
• Rust and corrosion protection
• Seal compatibility
• Filterability
• Demulsibility
• Hydrolytic stability
• Oxidation stability
• Wear resistance
• Total Acid Nr
• Approvals

TRANSMISSION OILS

Key Quality Factors:

• Internal cooling of gears by transport heat to gear box housing or the separate oil container
• Corrosion, wear, deposit, foam protection
• Oxidation stability
• Elastomer compatibility
• Friction characteristics compatible with synchronizer materials to ensure optimum gear shift
• Extreme pressure protection
• Low temperature fluidity (mostly for Automatic Transmission Fluid)
• High Viscosity Index (mostly for Automatic Transmission Fluid)
• Excellent antifoam and air release behavior to ensure right function of the hydraulics unit

• Automotive gears
• Off – highway
• Automatic Transmission Fluids