2023
Enhancing Lubrication Characteristics of Soybean-Based Oils as a Multifunctional Biobased Lubricant
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Dakota Soybean Council
Category:
Industrial
Keywords:
BiobasedLubricants
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Sougata Roy , University of North Dakota
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
NDSC 2023 NewUse 1
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Dakota Soybean Council
$46,500
Leveraged Funding (Non-Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
University of North Dakota
$46,500
Brief Project Summary:
Commercial lubricants used in the automotive industry are primarily petroleum-based. Bio-lubricants are derived from raw materials such as animal fat, vegetable oil, or other environmentally friendly hydrocarbons. In this project, we will chemically modify crude soybean-based oil, which will allow it to be used as a multifunctional bio-lubricant in the automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors. The overarching goal is to develop fully formulated lubricants for a range of applications such as vehicle gear transmission oil. The project will allow formulation of soybean-based oil and to understand the effects of novel additives on its performance.
Key Beneficiaries:
#engineers, #farmers, #scientists
Unique Keywords:
#base stock, #biolubricants, #chemical modification, #lubricant additives, #new uses, #soybean oil, #tribology, #viscosity
Information And Results
Project Summary

One of the growing concerns regarding mineral oil-based lubricants is their detrimental effect on the environment. Commercial lubricants used in the automotive sector are still primarily petroleum-based lubricants. ‘Bio-based’ lubricants, or ‘bio-lubricants,’ are derived from bio-based raw materials, such as animal fat, vegetable oil, or other environmentally friendly hydrocarbons. Previously conducted research regarding chemical modification and the effects of different additives on friction reduction and wear resistance enhancement is limited. We plan to chemically modify crude soybean-based vegetable oil in our proposed research. We hypothesize that the proper chemical modification of raw soybean oil and use of select lubricant additives post-chemical modification will allow them to be used as next generation multifunctional bio-lubricants in the automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors. Copper compatibility and thermal-oxidative investigations on pure soybean oil, and chemically modified oils will be conducted after formulation. We will then evaluate the rheological properties of the formulated oils. Reciprocating friction and wear testing at different temperatures will be conducted to reveal the formulated oil’s tribological behavior as the last step. The overarching goal is to develop fully formulated lubricants for a wide range of applications. Our proposed research will allow us to formulate soybean-based base oil and understand the effects of novel additives on its performance, which will build the framework to enhance its industrial usage for a wide range of future applications.

Project Objectives

The primary objective of this proposed research is to establish soybean-based oil as a next-generation multifunctional bio-lubricant and a major substitute for mineral-based lubricants. The proposed research will build the framework for these goals by investigating the effects of novel chemical modification protocols to formulate high-performance base oil from raw soybean oil and enhance its surface protection behavior by mixing it with select additives. The formulated oil’s performance will be analyzed in terms of high-temperature oxidation, corrosion, friction, and wear resistance at different temperature levels.

Project Deliverables

The key project deliverables are (a) A well-defined chemical modification route to develop soybean-based base oil, (b) A stable soybean-based lubricant created by mixing with a select lubricant additive, (c) Rheological and physiochemical property evaluations of the raw, chemically modified soybean oils, and (d) Performance characteristic analysis of the three sets of lubricants, including high-temperature oxidation, copper corrosion, and surface protection to evaluate the potential use of soybean oil-based lubricants for automotive, aerospace and machining industries.

Progress Of Work

Update:
The mid-year progress report is attached herewith. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

View uploaded report PDF file

Update:

View uploaded report PDF file

Final Project Results

Update:
Progress report

View uploaded report PDF file

View uploaded report 2 PDF file

View uploaded report 3 PDF file

This is attached in the 'Executive Summary' document (file 2).

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

The proposed research will build the framework for using soybean-based bio-lubricants in multiple applications, including automotive and other industrial sectors. This work will significantly benefit the North Dakota Soybean industry since we will enable the commercial use of soybean oils for unique applications, such as vehicle gear transmission oil, and engine oil. The proposed research will produce an essential value-added product from soybeans which can support lubrication requirements for heavy-duty machineries. Successful implementation is not restricted to the automotive industry, it can be expanded to machining, hydraulics, and other industrial applications in the future.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.