Development of biolubricants from vegetable oils for non-internal combustion engine applications

The aim of this study is to develop novel biolubricants based on complex esters for non-internal combustion engine
applications, and the main task of this project include synthesis and characterization of complex esters derived
biolubricants. vegetable oils cannot be used directly as lubricants due to some performance limitations such as
thermal and oxidative stability. In this project, drawbacks of vegetable oils (Lesquerella, sunflower, canola, palm,
and tung oils) will be overcome via chemical modifications by two methods, i.e., esterification/transesterification
with polyhydric alcohol to produce complex esters. The process parameters such as amount of catalyst, acid-toalcohol
ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time will be optimized in this project. Typical biolubricant
properties, e.g., kinetic viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, flash point, cloud point, dropping point, demulsibility
and thermal oxidation stability as well as wear scar properties and coefficient of friction will be investigated.

Faculty Supervisor:

Amarjeet Bassi

Student:

Partner:

Progressive Industrial Fluids Ltd

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: