Advantages of Bio - Lubricants
Bio based lubricants can have high demand in lubricants sector due to their advantages of excellent lubricity, non-toxicity, and biodegradability, coupled with energy saving and are bound to be used in all fields of industry. The increased use of biobased products will also be expected to reduce petroleum consumption, increase the use of renewable resources, better manage the carbon cycle, and may contribute to reducing adverse environmental and health impacts.
Bio-lubricants are those lubricants which are both rapidly biodegradable and nontoxic for humans and aquatic environments. The criteria for a biolubricant are that it should be vegetable oil based or animal product based, the end product should be non toxic and should be biodegradable.
- Superior lubricity resulting in multifold enhanced life and durability of equipment
- Energy saving of 15% or more
- Reduction in operating temperatures
- Minimizing of corrosion of metal surfaces
- Keeping contaminants out of system
The benefits offered by biolubricants give them an edge over the conventional lubricants. The major salient features of the biobased lubricants are as follows:
- Excellent lubricity: The lubricity of the biobased lubricants is about 2 to 4 times their petroleum based corresponding lubricants. This reflects in the reduced mechanical losses and energy saving in the range from 5% to 15% of the equipment operation.
- Higher viscosity index: The viscosity does not vary with temperature as much as the petroleum based lubricants. This makes bio-lubricants suitable for high temperature applications, typically 250°C or above.
- Lower volatility and high flash/ fire points: Biolubricants have a very good record in applications like grinding, where there is a known fire hazard. This also helps in oil mist reduction and hence the inhalation of the oil mist or vapours. The use is also safe due to higher flash points.
- Better skin compatibility and less dermatological problems.
- Biodegradability and non water polluting characteristic reduces the costs of disposal in addition to making them eco friendly.
- Cost saving on account of less maintenance, due to longer intervals between re-lubrication.