VEGETABLE OIL-BASED ENGINE OILS - A PROMISING START

These days most engine lubricants contain petrochemical base oils. A r esearch project looked into the possibility of using vegetable oils an d their derivatives tester oils) for lubrication of four-stroke engine s. The environmentally friendly, high-performance engine oils successf ully tested in the first project were based on saturated esters and co ntained a zinc- and polymer-free additive package. Also realized was t he second objective of a completely new lubrication concept which allo ws for the first time the use of unmodified rapeseed or sunflower oil for engine lubrication. The procedures mentioned here compensate for t he basically poor ageing resistance of vegetable oils by a progressive renewal of the oil. The used oil is mixed with the fuel and burned wi thout any detrimental effects on exhaust composition. Only low-ash and zinc-free additives were added to the vegetable oils. Initial and pos itive application know-how was gathered from a number of diesel engine s using this combination of special oil and the never lubrication conc ept. Environmentally friendly oils being constantly renewed in station ary engines are a promising start.