A Green Technology Based Production of Bio-Lubricant for Future, Cleaner Environment from Non-Edible Oil of North East India-A Review

Abstract

Depletion of the natural resources, the issue of food security and increased attention towards environmental issues have driven the lubricant industries to stimulate the development of non-edible oil-based material as bio-lubricant. The term bio-lubricant applies to all lubricants that are both rapidly biodegradable and non-toxic to human and aquatic environments. Conventional lubricants are prepared from mineral oil, which is a non-renewable resource. Non-edible oils with high oleic acid content are promising alternative as a bio-lubricant because of their excellent lubricacy, biodegradability, better viscosity-temperature characteristics and low evaporation loss. However, their use is restricted due to low thermal-oxidative stability and poor cold-flow behaviour. Combining genetic modification with chemical modification, the aim of substituting commercial lubricants from renewable resources can be achieved. This review highlights the production methods of bio-lubricants from native non-edible oils available in the North Eastern region of India, documenting the characteristics of the produced bio-lubricants along with a comparative analysis of different bio-lubricants produced.