Biolubricants: Lubricants for the Future
Lubricants are used in engine and machine parts to reduce wear and tear and ensure smooth functioning of the machinery. Lubricants are mostly of petroleum origin. Lubricants consist of 70% petroleum based oil and the rest 30% are additives which modify the general properties of base oil to meet the requirements. The main problem with petroleum based lubricant is that it is non-biodegradable and may cause stormwater pollution from leaks in engine, hydraulic systems and brake line. Because of environmental pollution by petroleum based lubricants, the scientists and researchers are promoting the use of environment friendly bio-based lubricants. Biolubricants are the liquid oils derived from renewable or biomass based feedstocks. Biolubricants are formed either by pyrolysis of biomass or by using two step transesterification of vegetable oils. The bio-crude oil is further refined into biolubricant and various other bio-oil derivatives. Although, vegetable fat and animal fat based oils h...