Lubricants are substances available in solid, semi-solid, liquid, or gaseous states, and they play a crucial role in reducing friction and wear between moving surfaces. These substances are essential for ensuring smooth operations, maintaining the reliable performance of machinery, and reducing the likelihood of failures, all while contributing to energy conservation. Superior thermal properties, thermal resistive properties, and effective corrosion-inhibiting attributes are necessary for industrial lubricants.
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Microalgae as a Source of Sustainable Green Industrial Lubricants
Presently, industries all over the world utilize lubricants derived from crude oil. Nevertheless, it has become increasingly evident that the production, utilization, and disposal of these conventional lubricants have an adverse impact on the environment.
These factors have increased the attention towards the usage of sustainable industrial lubricants, such as vegetable oil-based lubricants, commonly referred to as bio-lubricants. These ecologically viable lubricants present a promising opportunity for removing the ecological and health concerns linked to traditional lubricants, signifying a noteworthy step towards more sustainable practices.
As per the research published in Molecules, the environmental benefits of producing and using bio-lubricants are clear; however, the challenge lies in establishing a reliable supply chain due to limitations in the availability of necessary raw materials and agricultural land. However, a promising recent development in this regard is the exploration of biomass derived from certain microalgae species. These microalgae have attracted attention for their remarkable ability to produce high-value lipids and oils, which hold significant potential for use in lubricant production. This innovative approach presents a new avenue for addressing the raw material constraints associated with traditional bio-lubricant production.
In a recent breakthrough, a method for producing lubricants from laboratory-cultivated single-cell green algae, specifically Chlorella sp., has been successfully developed. This innovative process involved several crucial steps, starting with the dehydration of the biomass obtained from the cultured algae. Subsequently, the biomass underwent freeze-drying and solvent extraction to isolate the lipids. The resulting lubricant exhibited a chemical structure and viscosity-temperature properties that closely resemble those of rapeseed oil.
This significant achievement has led the authors to propose that microalgae oil, derived from Chlorella sp., could serve as a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional rapeseed oil in the field of bio-lubricants.
Hyper-branched Polymers as Novel Industrial Lubricants
Industrial lubricants have had to undergo significant adaptations to meet the increasingly demanding requirements imposed by evolving transportation technologies. Two crucial components of modern industrial lubricants are viscosity and friction modifiers, both of which play pivotal roles in enhancing operational efficiency and reducing wear.
Viscosity modifiers (VMs) are commonly used and are typically characterized by their high molecular weight and linear polymer structure. These additives are introduced to improve the viscosity index of the lubricating oil.
Hyperbranched (HB) and dendrimeric polymers have shown an impressive ability to bring about substantial changes in viscosity when added to liquid media, marking a notable departure from linear materials. Recent advancements have witnessed the use of branched polymers in a range of applications, especially in the adjustment of viscosities within lubricants and heavy oil systems, including those used in transportation. This innovative approach offers an exciting avenue for improving the performance and efficiency of lubricants and related products.
A group of researchers published an article in Polymers focusing on the synthesis and utilization of hyper-branched (HB) materials as additives to modify viscosity and friction, with a particular emphasis on evaluating their potential to offer improved wear protection and enhanced fluidity at low temperatures in lubricating oils.
The HB polymers were synthesized through an unconventional method involving the generation of lauryl methacrylate (LMA) dimers using catalytic chain transfer polymerization (CCTP). These dimers were then used as chain transfer agents (CTAs) to control the polymerization of di vinyl-benzene (DVB).
The research discovered that di vinyl-benzene (DVB) formed the core structure of the hyper-branched (HB) material. To enhance the additive's solubility in base oil, alkyl chains were incorporated into the structure, facilitated by the use of oligomeric chain transfer agents (CTAs).
Nanoparticles as Additives in Industrial Lubricants
Lubricants are typically formulated using either mineral-based oils or synthetic oils. However, these conventional oils often do not meet the stringent requirements set by equipment manufacturers. To address these limitations, a specific but highly effective group of additives is introduced into the base oil formulation.
Recent research in the Advanced Journal of Chemistry-Section B has highlighted that these additives play a crucial role in enhancing the properties of lubricants, including their anti-oxidation capabilities, tribological characteristics, and thermal properties. By improving the physical and chemical attributes of the base oil, additives contribute to reducing wear and friction in moving mechanical components.
In recent years, nanomaterials have emerged as environmentally friendly additives aimed at enhancing the tribological properties of lubricating oils. This applies to various applications, such as motor oil, industrial oils, and grease. Nanomaterials possess unique features, including high surface energy, small particle size, and thermal stability. These qualities make them exceptionally suitable as additives for improving anti-wear, anti-friction, and high compressibility characteristics within lubricants.
Capacitive Sensor Network for Debris Monitoring of Industrial Lubricants
The lubricating oil system in aircraft engines plays a crucial role, serving multiple functions beyond just lubrication and cooling. It also acts as a carrier for transporting wear debris generated through mechanical wear. Monitoring wear debris within lubricating oil is a critical technique for assessing the condition and failure modes of vital components such as bearings and gears in rotary machinery.
One key indicator of wear debris is the change in the permittivity of the lubricant oil when these particles are introduced into the oil. This alteration in permittivity serves as a valuable signal, enabling the detection and analysis of wear debris. Consequently, it aids in the diagnosis and maintenance of essential engine components, ensuring the proper functioning of the engine.
Capacitive sensing methods have shown promise in the field of lubricant debris monitoring, primarily due to their straightforward design and reliable response characteristics, as per a recent article in the journal Sensors. To enhance sensitivity and reliability in detection, the recent study introduces a novel coaxial capacitive sensor network. This network features parallel curved electrodes and non-parallel plane electrodes and functions as a through-flow sensor. It can be seamlessly integrated into the lubricant pipeline, enabling real-time, on-site monitoring.
The study also developed theoretical models to reveal the underlying sensing mechanisms and to establish a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the two distinct types of capacitive sensors within the sensor network. This research represents a significant advancement in the field of lubricant debris detection through innovative sensor technology.
The practicality and effectiveness of the sensor network were validated through a series of experiments involving the introduction of debris into various media, including water and lubricant oil. The experimental results conclusively showed that the capacitance value exhibited a nearly linear relationship with the increase in both the size and mass of abrasive particles. These findings highlighted the sensor network's ability to reliably detect and quantify the presence of debris within different environments, thereby confirming its feasibility and potential for practical applications.
There have been significant developments in the domain of industrial lubricants. From the development of sustainable lubricants to novel monitoring systems, research studies are being conducted all over the world to increase the effectiveness of lubricants for the aerospace, chemical, and automotive sectors especially. This sector is expected to progress significantly in the coming years.
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References and Further Reading
Farfan-Cabrera LI et. al. (2022). Microalgae Biomass as a New Potential Source of Sustainable Green Lubricants. Molecules. 27(4):1205. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041205
Goodwin SR et. al. (2022). Facile Synthesis of Functionalised Hyperbranched Polymers for Application as Novel, Low Viscosity Lubricant Formulation Components. Polymers. 14(18):3841. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14183841
Zilabi, S. et. al. (2022). A review on Nanoparticle Application as an Additive in Lubricants. Advanced Journal of Chemistry-Section B, 4, 209-221. Available at: https://doi.org/10.22034/ajcb.2022.353097.1125
Wang Y et. al. (2022). A New In Situ Coaxial Capacitive Sensor Network for Debris Monitoring of Lubricating Oil. Sensors. 22(5):1777. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/s22051777
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