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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Sustainable Biofuels and Co-products Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #294240
Title: Modified vegetable oils for environmentally friendly lubricant applications

Author
item SHARMA, BRAJENDRA - University Of Illinois
item Erhan, Sevim

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/14/2013
Publication Date: 2/4/2013
Citation: Sharma, B.K., Erhan, S.Z. 2013. Modified vegetable oils for environmentally friendly lubricant applications. In: Rudnick, L.R., editor. Synthetics, Mineral Oils, and Bio-based Lubricants - Chemistry and Technology. Second Edition. New York, NY: CRC Press. p.382-411.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Synthetic lubricant base oils offer improved stability and performance characteristics over refined petroleum oils, but at a price. Most of the biodegradable synthetic oils are chemical esters that offer superior thermal and oxidative stability [8.9]. Prices for these niche products are higher than vegetable oils (VOs) and significantly higher than petroleum-based lubricants. Synthetic oils are partly derived from petroleum products and therefore are dependent on petroleum crude oils. VO-based lubricants cannot replace all synthetic and petroleum-based lubricants, but they play an important role among the alternate energy sources and contribute to the goal of energy independence and security. Although the cost of VO-based lubricants is higher than conventional mineral oil-based lubricants, still environmental advantages in short, medium, and long range can balance the difference in cost.