Chemical Sciences Journal

Analysis of Sodium Greases from Three Recycled Engine Oil

Abstract

Akumefula MI, Eze SO, Igwe JC, Eziukwu CC and Chikwe IC

Grease is a mixture of a fluid lubricant usually petroleum oil and a thickener (soap) dispersed in the oil. The base oil (i.e., petroleum oil) can be substituted with recycled waste lubricating oil. Since the petroleum prices increase yearly, the use of recycled waste lubricating oil as base oil for greases production becomes the best solution to this problem. Sodium soap thickener was formed by reacting sodium hydroxide with palm kernel oil. The production of low-cost sodium grease was achieved. Three different waste lubricating oil samples (150 N, 350 N, 600 N) were recycled and analyzed, to determine the quality of the recycled lubricating oil samples. The results are tabulated. The recycled waste oils were used to produce sodium greases. The produced greases were tested for dropping point (600 N=180, 350 N=160, 150 N=145)°C, worked penetration (180 N=220, 350 N=240, 150 N=300), moisture content (Insignificant), appearance (fibrous and buttery), finger impression (adhesive) and water resistance (susceptible to water). This production was bound by a technology which embraces saponification, evaporation, melting of soap formed and blending with calculated quantity of base oil at the temperature ranging from 170°C to 180°C. The result obtained from the analysis showed that two out of the three products fall within the American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM) and National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) standard specifications for ball-bearing grease No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. However, the products of this research are economical in terms of cost and availability of raw materials in Nigeria, when compared with imported greases like the Abro-products.