ARS | Publication request: Biolubricant research and development

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 17, 2008
Publication Date: April 17, 2008
Citation: Biresaw, G. 2008. Biolubricant research and development [abstract]. Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Detroit section Workshop on Environmentally Friendly Tribology. p. 53.

Technical Abstract: Biolubricants are lubricants manufactured from natural raw materials such as those harvested from farms, forests, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Biolubricants provide a number of benefits over petroleum-based lubricants. These benefits include: biodegradability, renewability, and non-toxicity. As a result, manufacture and use of biolubricants will result in a number of benefits to the environment, the health of citizens, and the economy. For example, it is widely anticipated that the widespread use of biolubricants will: reduce emission of greenhouse gases; reduce the release of toxic waste stream into the air, rivers and land; reduce reliance on imported petroleum; generate new jobs and strengthen the farm-based domestic economy. However, successful replacement of petroleum-based lubricants with biolubricants requires overcoming a number of technical, developmental, and marketing hurdles. Concerted effort and collaboration will be required to successfully bring about the widespread application of biolubricants by consumers everywhere.