Enhancing physicochemical properties of coconut oil for the application of engine lubrication

Sunil Jayantha Hettiarachchi; Suela Kellici; Matthew Kershaw; James Bowen

doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2023.109060

Enhancing physicochemical properties of coconut oil for the application of engine lubrication

Sunil Jayantha Hettiarachchi, Suela Kellici, Matthew Kershaw, James Bowen

Open University Milton Keynes

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Engine lubricants require specific physical and chemical properties to function effectively and extend the lifespan of engines. Coconut oil (CCO) is an abundant, renewable, and environmentally friendly bio-based stock that has the potential to be a viable alternative to conventional mineral oil-based lubricants. In this study, we investigated the potential of CCO as a lubricant and formulated different blends with additives to enhance its physicochemical characteristics. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), styrenated phenol (SP) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were used as additives in varying concentrations. We evaluated the formulations for low pour point (PP), high viscosity index (VI) and total base number (TBN) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry, and titration methods (following ASTM D2270 and ASTM D2896–21 respectively). The formulated CCO was also tested for thermal, oxidative, and shear stability using thermogravimetric analysis and rheometry. The optimal formulation exhibited a PP reduction from 21 °C to 6 °C, improved VI from 169 to 206, and a TBN adjustment from 0 to 4.14 mg KOH g-1. The formulated CCO also exhibited superior thermal, oxidative, and shear stability compared to unformulated CCO and reference oil (15W40). Our results suggest that blending CCO with additives can effectively enhance its suitability for engine lubrication, opening up new possibilities for environmentally sustainable and renewable lubricants.

Original language	English
Article number	109060
Pages (from-to)	109060
Journal	Tribology International
Volume	190
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2023.109060 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2023.109060
Publication status	Published - 31 Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

Keywords

Coconut oil
Oxidative stability
Pour point depressants
Shear stability
Thermal stability
Total base number
Viscosity modifiers

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

1-s2.0-S0301679X23008484-mainFinal published version, 5.76 MBLicence: CC BY 4.0

Cite this

@article{4d828c2fa23e46dd976bc6de018fc9eb,

title = "Enhancing physicochemical properties of coconut oil for the application of engine lubrication",

abstract = "Engine lubricants require specific physical and chemical properties to function effectively and extend the lifespan of engines. Coconut oil (CCO) is an abundant, renewable, and environmentally friendly bio-based stock that has the potential to be a viable alternative to conventional mineral oil-based lubricants. In this study, we investigated the potential of CCO as a lubricant and formulated different blends with additives to enhance its physicochemical characteristics. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), styrenated phenol (SP) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were used as additives in varying concentrations. We evaluated the formulations for low pour point (PP), high viscosity index (VI) and total base number (TBN) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry, and titration methods (following ASTM D2270 and ASTM D2896–21 respectively). The formulated CCO was also tested for thermal, oxidative, and shear stability using thermogravimetric analysis and rheometry. The optimal formulation exhibited a PP reduction from 21 °C to 6 °C, improved VI from 169 to 206, and a TBN adjustment from 0 to 4.14 mg KOH g-1. The formulated CCO also exhibited superior thermal, oxidative, and shear stability compared to unformulated CCO and reference oil (15W40). Our results suggest that blending CCO with additives can effectively enhance its suitability for engine lubrication, opening up new possibilities for environmentally sustainable and renewable lubricants.",

keywords = "Coconut oil, Oxidative stability, Pour point depressants, Shear stability, Thermal stability, Total base number, Viscosity modifiers",

author = "Hettiarachchi, {Sunil Jayantha} and Suela Kellici and Matthew Kershaw and James Bowen",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 The Authors",

year = "2023",

month = oct,

day = "31",

doi = "10.1016/j.triboint.2023.109060",

language = "English",

volume = "190",

pages = "109060",

journal = "Tribology International",

issn = "0301-679X",

publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Enhancing physicochemical properties of coconut oil for the application of engine lubrication

AU - Hettiarachchi, Sunil Jayantha

AU - Kellici, Suela

AU - Kershaw, Matthew

AU - Bowen, James

PY - 2023/10/31

Y1 - 2023/10/31

N2 - Engine lubricants require specific physical and chemical properties to function effectively and extend the lifespan of engines. Coconut oil (CCO) is an abundant, renewable, and environmentally friendly bio-based stock that has the potential to be a viable alternative to conventional mineral oil-based lubricants. In this study, we investigated the potential of CCO as a lubricant and formulated different blends with additives to enhance its physicochemical characteristics. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), styrenated phenol (SP) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were used as additives in varying concentrations. We evaluated the formulations for low pour point (PP), high viscosity index (VI) and total base number (TBN) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry, and titration methods (following ASTM D2270 and ASTM D2896–21 respectively). The formulated CCO was also tested for thermal, oxidative, and shear stability using thermogravimetric analysis and rheometry. The optimal formulation exhibited a PP reduction from 21 °C to 6 °C, improved VI from 169 to 206, and a TBN adjustment from 0 to 4.14 mg KOH g-1. The formulated CCO also exhibited superior thermal, oxidative, and shear stability compared to unformulated CCO and reference oil (15W40). Our results suggest that blending CCO with additives can effectively enhance its suitability for engine lubrication, opening up new possibilities for environmentally sustainable and renewable lubricants.

AB - Engine lubricants require specific physical and chemical properties to function effectively and extend the lifespan of engines. Coconut oil (CCO) is an abundant, renewable, and environmentally friendly bio-based stock that has the potential to be a viable alternative to conventional mineral oil-based lubricants. In this study, we investigated the potential of CCO as a lubricant and formulated different blends with additives to enhance its physicochemical characteristics. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), styrenated phenol (SP) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were used as additives in varying concentrations. We evaluated the formulations for low pour point (PP), high viscosity index (VI) and total base number (TBN) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry, and titration methods (following ASTM D2270 and ASTM D2896–21 respectively). The formulated CCO was also tested for thermal, oxidative, and shear stability using thermogravimetric analysis and rheometry. The optimal formulation exhibited a PP reduction from 21 °C to 6 °C, improved VI from 169 to 206, and a TBN adjustment from 0 to 4.14 mg KOH g-1. The formulated CCO also exhibited superior thermal, oxidative, and shear stability compared to unformulated CCO and reference oil (15W40). Our results suggest that blending CCO with additives can effectively enhance its suitability for engine lubrication, opening up new possibilities for environmentally sustainable and renewable lubricants.

KW - Coconut oil

KW - Oxidative stability

KW - Pour point depressants

KW - Shear stability

KW - Thermal stability

KW - Total base number

KW - Viscosity modifiers

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85175571263&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.triboint.2023.109060

DO - 10.1016/j.triboint.2023.109060

M3 - Article

SN - 0301-679X

VL - 190

SP - 109060

JO - Tribology International

JF - Tribology International

M1 - 109060

ER -

Enhancing physicochemical properties of coconut oil for the application of engine lubrication

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this