Synthetic Oil Research Articles

Interfacial tension and contact angle of asphaltenic and resinous model oil in the presence of binary salts mixtures

Using smart or low salinity waters known as green processes gained increasing attention due to their unique features and their positive impacts on the environment. In light of this fact and since there is limited knowledge about the effects of salts under engineered concentrations or binary mixtures and crude oil fractions on the interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and wettability alteration of the resinous (RSO) and asphaltenic synthetic oil (ASO), the current investigation is designed and performed for the first time. Moreover, the dynamic behavior of the IFT variation was carefully investigated and the relaxation time was obtained and modeled to see the impact of mono and divalent salts individually and in binary conditions. The relaxation times revealed that the lowest adsorption times were obtained for NaCl/CaCl2 brine regardless of the examined oil types of ASO and RSO due to the high movement affinity of the polar functional groups toward the interface consequently reducing the required time for coverage and packing of active agents at the interface. Finally, the measured contact angle values revealed a significant effect of binary salts on the wettability alteration toward strongly water-wet conditions, especially for the RSO and ASO compared with crude oil.

Triboelectric Performance of Ionic Liquid, Synthetic, and Vegetable Oil-Based Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Greases

Within electrical contacts, poor electrical conductivity of lubricants can lead to triboelectric charging, causing electrostatic currents and thermal effects, which accelerate lubrication failure. This study aimed to address these challenges by producing and testing three greases with different base oils: ionic liquid ([Oley][Oleic]), synthetic oil (PAO4), and vegetable oil-based synthetic ester (trimethylolpropane oleate). Each grease was prepared with polytetrafluoroethylene powder as the thickener. The greases were tested using a custom-made tribometer, integrated with a grounded electrical current system, with friction tests conducted with up to a 2 A electrical current flow at a constant voltage supply of 4.5 V. Under triboelectric friction testing, [Oley][Oleic] grease outperformed a commercial perfluoropolyether grease by 27.7% in friction and 16.3% in wear. This grease also showed better performance than formulated lithium grease with extreme pressure additives. The study demonstrates that greases with low interfacial resistance can retain their lubrication capacity under triboelectric conditions. These results indicate that [Oley][Oleic] grease, with its ionic liquid base oil, offers a promising solution for applications involving electrical contacts. This study highlights the potential of using advanced base oils and thickeners to enhance the performance and sustainability of lubricants in demanding environments.

Dynamic Deposition of PDA on a Hollow Fiber Ceramic Membrane for Oily Water Treatment.

Ceramic membranes have been widely used in oil-water treatment; however, membrane fouling remains a challenge that must be addressed to improve the process feasibility. A thin layer of polydopamine (PDA) was dynamically deposited on the surface of the alumina hollow fiber membranes to reduce oil adhesion. The PDA-alumina membranes were characterized by using SEM-EDS, AFM, and water contact angle measurements. The performance of the modified membranes was evaluated using synthetic crude oil emulsions (100 mg·L-1) in a crossflow system. Membranes modified with PDA exhibited 97% oil rejection, and a stabilized permeate flux of 463 L·h-1·m-2 with a relative flux reduction of 60% and a flux recovery ratio of 75% was observed after cleaning, indicating lower oil adhesion and better fouling reversibility. The most predominant fouling mechanism for the modified membranes seems to be cake filtration because of the reduction in pore size due to the deposition of the PDA layer.

Hydrothermal liquefaction of plastic marine debris from the North Pacific Garbage Patch

Ocean plastic waste poses a growing environmental threat, efforts are now underway to help clean the ocean surface or to prevent plastic streams entering. Repurposing these highly mixed polymers presents a great challenge due to their inherent complexity, intertanglement, and the presence of contaminants. Herein, we process real samples of ocean-floating plastics from the North Pacific Garage Patch through supercritical hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), targeting their chemical recycling into synthetic crude oil. Investigating key process parameters (temperature, pressure, time, and plastic load), we found that plastic load and temperature are crucial parameters influencing oil yield and that moderate conditions maximized hydrocarbon yield, reaching 90 wt%. Overall, longer residence times and higher temperatures favored aromatic-rich oils. We suggest a reaction pathway to account for hydrogen release from aromatization reactions, influencing paraffin, olefin, and aromatic contents. Supercritical HTL offers an effective, tailored approach for recycling complex plastic mixtures to produce synthetic crude oil.

Pengaruh Ketinggian Beban Jatuh dan Kekentalan Oli Suspensi Depan Terhadap Getaran Shock Absorber Sepeda Listrik

One important aspect in choosing a vehicle is comfort, where the suspension plays a significant role. The main suspension component, namely the Shock Absorber, has a crucial role in minimizing vibrations and optimizing driving comfort. The function of the Shock Absorber depends on the viscosity value of the damper, which must support the effectiveness of the suspension. A quantitative experimental type approach was used by taking data using a Vibrator meter. The test is carried out by dropping a load on a load test tool with predetermined variables with the aim of obtaining vibration values ​​on the Shock Absorber. This type of synthetic oil with a viscosity of 77.22 mm²/s, which is used as a filler for the front shock absorber on e-bomber electric bicycles, has the lowest viscosity among other types of oil, resulting in the highest vibration speed. The type of mineral oil with a viscosity of 79.35 mm²/s, which is used as a filler for the front shock absorber on e-bomber electric bicycles, has the highest viscosity among other types of oil, resulting in the lowest vibration speed. This type of semi-synthetic oil with a viscosity of 78.31 mm²/s, has a viscosity that is between synthetic and mineral oil types, resulting in a higher vibration speed compared to synthetic oil types but lower than mineral oil types.

Experimental, modeling and optimisation of adipic acid reactive extraction using ionic liquids

Adipic acid (hexanedioic acid, AA) can be utilised as an essential monomer in the production of nylon-6,6 (75 %), but also for urethane foams, fibers, elastomers, tire reinforcements, and synthetic lubricants. Considerable work has been done to develop sustainable biosynthetic processes for its manufacture, especially for adipic acid efficient separation (one of the main challenges for industrialisation). As for scale-up, process optimisation, and thorough engineering mathematical models that describe the system efficiently are required, this study proposes mathematical models for a reactive extraction using ionic liquids as extractants for adipic acid separation to improve the biosynthetic route’s sustainability, efficiency, and environmental performance. Heptane as the solvent and 117.8 g/L [P6,6,6,14][Phos] as the extractant at 2.8 pH of the aqueous phase were the optimum mixture for reactive extraction, resulting in an extraction yield of 97.55 % for adipic acid. The process was modeled using an artificial neural network optimised with a differential evolution algorithm. The optimal model structure had one hidden layer with 20 neurons, and its performance in the testing phase was: explained variance score of 0.974, mean absolute error of 1.917, and coefficient of determination of 0.974.

Thermal performance evaluation of the parabolic trough solar collector using nanofluids: A case study in the desert of Algeria

The use of Parabolic Trough Solar Collector (PTSC) is currently the best option for widespread application in industries operating at temperatures from 60 to 400 °C. Numerous studies have been conducted to enhance the thermal performance of the PTSC using synthetic oils as heat transfer fluids. In this study, the thermal performance of parabolic collectors was enhanced using Metallic Oxide Nanofluids (CuO, SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2) based on Therminol VP-1™ at 4 % volumetric concentration as heat-transmitting fluids. A thermal model was developed and validated through experimental and theoretical study, while the results showed good compatibility in the outlet temperature with an error rate of 0.184 % for experimental and 0.29 % for theoretical studies. Moreover, various theoretical models of the thermal properties of nanofluids were analyzed to determine the model that matches and simulates this study. The findings indicated that nanofluids enhanced the thermal efficiency of the PTSC system compared to pure Therminol VP-1™. Specifically, CuO/Therminol VP-1™ demonstrated the most significant improvement, increasing thermal efficiency by 1.03 %. Furthermore, the results also showed that the addition of CuO, TiO2, Al2O3, and SiO2 nanoparticles led to an increase in outlet temperature by 9.57 %, 6.04 %, 5.21 %, and 3.08 %, respectively.

Synthetic ester-based forced flow immersion cooling technique for fast discharging lithium-ion battery packs

Rapid advancements in Li-ion battery technology are being made to meet the growing demand for efficient energy storage solutions in electric vehicles and portable electronics. However, heat generation during rapid charging and discharging remains a significant challenge, as it can lead to overheating, fire, and explosion. To address this issue, battery thermal management systems require improvements in cooling strategies. This study aims to optimize the thermal performance of Li-ion battery packs during fast discharge operation by single-phase synthetic ester oil-based forced flow immersion cooling (FFIC) technique. The study analyzes the thermal performance of the FFIC of a 4S2P LIB pack based on various flow rates, pressure drops, and pump power consumption and compares it with various conventional cooling methods and dielectric fluids. The MSMD-based NTGK battery modeling approach is used to analyze the electrical and thermal characteristics of the battery pack at 3C discharge and environmental temperature of 25 °C. The simulation findings revealed that the synthetic ester oil has a superior cooling effect than mineral oil in the 4S2P Li-ion battery pack. The experimental results showed that the synthetic ester-based FFIC Li-ion battery pack achieves an optimal pack temperature of 31.3 °C and uniform temperature distribution at the flow rate of 5 L/min and pressure drop of 228.44 Pa. Moreover, FFIC reduces temperature rise by 51 % compared with natural air convection and 35 % compared with static flow immersion cooling (SFIC) in the 4S2P lithium-ion battery pack. Also, the practical significance of the SEO-based FFIC immersion cooling technique is assessed across extreme climate zones such as −10 °C and 40 °C and determined its superior performance in Li-ion batteries. Hence, this study proved that the FFIC technique is suitable for Li-ion batteries in electric vehicle applications in terms of optimal performance, reliability, and safety during high-current discharge operations.

Fluorinated natural rubber with enhanced strength and excellent resistance to ozone, organic solvent, and acid and alkali via in situ reactive melt extrusion

Natural rubber (NR), as a green and renewable industrial raw material, is applied in many fields. However, the relatively weak resistance originated from its unsaturated backbone structure restricts the further application in some harsh conditions. To incorporate the excellent resistance feature of the fluorinated components into NR, fluorinated natural rubber (FNR) was prepared with dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFHMA) via in situ melt extrusion reaction. The results indicated that fluorinated reaction of NR mainly happened at the α-H of double bond in backbone chain and that styrene could promote fluorination and increase the size of fluorinated side chain. The vulcanized FNR (VFNR) exhibited wonderful mechanical performance, remarkable hydrophobicity, and excellent resistance to ozone, organic solvent, acid and alkali. The water contact angles of VFNR increased from 89 ° to 104 °and the ozone aging cracking time of VFNR increased by one time longer than that of VNR. The swelling degree of VFNR in the full synthetic engine oil is only two-thirds that of VNR, and the retention of tensile strength after immersion in HCl, H2SO4, and NaOH solution was elevated by 13 %, 11 %, and 5 % compared to those of VNR, respectively. This work presents a simple and eco-friendly method to prepare the fluorinated natural rubber facilitating the industrial fabrication of green and high-performance NR via melt extrusion.

Experimental and statistical investigation on the dielectric breakdown of magneto nanofluids for power applications

The insulating oil serves the dual purpose of providing insulation and cooling within transformers. This investigation aims to explore the impact of various nanoparticles on the dielectric breakdown voltage (BDV) of dielectric oils. The study examines the effect of the concentration of magnetic nanoparticles on the dielectric breakdown voltage of insulating oils. Nanoparticles such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4), cobalt (II, III) oxide (CO3O4), and ferrous phosphide (Fe3P) were utilized to create nanofluids with carrier mediums consisting of mineral oil and synthetic ester oil. BDV determination was conducted using a VDE and S–S electrode system according to IEC 60156 standards. Nanofluid were prepared using a two-step method, and their concentrations ranged from 0.01 g/L, 0.02 g/L, and 0.04 g/L in base oils. Twelve iterations were conducted for each prepared nanofluid, and breakdown voltage measurements were recorded. The results indicate a noteworthy enhancement in the breakdown voltage of nanofluids. The statistical analysis was performed on the dielectric property of nanofluid samples for better breakdown accuracy. The maximum enhancement at specific nanoparticle concentrations was shown by each nanofluid. The results show that under the S–S electrode configuration, the greatest overall enhancement was observed for Fe3P in mineral oil, with an enhancement of 70.05%, and Fe3O4 in synthetic ester oil, with an enhancement of 46.29%.

Surface reaction mechanisms research of Cun and Pdn (n=1–3) clusters modified MoSTe for fault gases in oil-immersed transformers

Efficient detection and timely resolution of internal faults within synthetic ester oil transformers are imperative for ensuring the stability of power systems. This paper proposes the utilization of MoSTe monolayer modified with Cun and Pdn (n=1–3) clusters for detecting internal fault gases (C2H2, C2H4, and CH4) in transformers. The adsorption mechanism and electronic properties of target gases on the modified substrate surface are systematically studied through density functional theory analysis of adsorption energy, density of states, and deformation charge density. The results indicate that TMn clusters possess the capability to enhance the reactivity of the MoSTe surface, leading to varying degrees of improvement in conductivity and adsorption capacity. Different target gases exhibit distinct adsorption characteristics, with the modified monolayer showing strong adsorption capabilities for C2H2 and C2H4. The calculation of work function and recovery time further reveal the promising potential of Pdn-MoSTe monolayer as resistive gas sensing materials for detecting C2H2 and C2H4, while Cun-MoSTe monolayer are also identified as high-quality candidates for C2H4 sensing materials. This study is expected to facilitate the practical application of MoSTe monolayer in the field of transformer operational state monitoring, providing new insights for exploring novel gas sensing materials.

Supported Ni-W Bimetallic Catalysts for Hydrogenation of Poly-Alpha-Olefins Synthetic Base Oil

Supported Ni-W Bimetallic Catalysts for Hydrogenation of Poly-Alpha-Olefins Synthetic Base Oil

Replacing non-renewable lubricants with vegetables oils in threaded joints

Lubrication is essential to ensure the proper performance of threaded joints subjected to multiple tightenings. Previous research has investigated the effectiveness of various mineral and synthetic lubricants, but no studies have been conducted on those derived from renewable sources. In this study, the performances of sesame, sunflower, coconut, and castor oil are compared to traditional VG46 oil and MoS2 grease. First, the rheological properties of the oils have been characterized. Then, tightening tests have been carried out to measure the coefficients of friction at the underhead and thread. The results demonstrate that vegetable oils outperform mineral VG46, especially in terms of repeatability. In particular, fractionated coconut oil exhibits exceptionally low coefficients of friction, which are not influenced by the tightening speed, unlike all other tested lubricants.

Performance Evaluation of Solar Parabolic Collector Using Low Volume Fractions of Multi-Walled Carbon-nanotube in Synthetic Engine Oil

The use of nanofluids has been encouraged to advance the efficiency of solar collectors in previous investigations. In this experiment, the performance of solar parabolic collectors in Bangalore, India, was enhanced using low-volume fractions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and synthetic engine oil as the base fluid. To stabilize and optimize the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids, orthocresol was used as a surfactant and was further treated with magnetic stirring and ultrasonication. The resulting MWCNT-synthetic engine oil nanofluid was generated at three different volume fractions with a 1:1 MWCNT/ Orthocresol ratio and tested at different flow rates between 10:00 and 16:00 according to ASHRAE Standards. The maximum efficiency was achieved at 0.0317 vol% and a discharge of 7 L/min, which was 6.9% higher than that of the synthetic engine oil. This study shows that even at low-volume fractions of nanofluids, effective heat transfer can be achieved in solar parabolic collectors. These findings suggest that MWCNT-synthetic engine oil nanofluids have the potential to significantly advance the performance of solar parabolic collectors.

Tribological characteristics and degradation mechanism of typical synthetic lubricants from room temperature to 300 ℃

In this study, the tribological characteristics of several synthetic lubricants—including poly alpha olefin (PAO), pentaerythritol ester (PET), perfluoropolyether (PFPE), ethyl siloxane fluid, chlorophenyl silicone oil (CPSO), and polydimethylsiloxane—were assessed from room temperature to 300 ℃. The results show that PAO 6 and PET exhibit exceptional lubrication properties at elevated temperatures. PAO 6, PET and ethyl siloxane fluid exhibits slight wear at high temperatures. Silicon oils, notably, tend to form Si aggregates at the Si3N4 and M50 (8Cr4Mo4V) wear interface. Among the silicone-based lubricants, ethyl siloxane fluids demonstrated the lowest wear rate, attributed to the generation of dense Si-O films at the wear interface that offer protective benefits. This work provides essential data support for the application of high-temperature lubricants.

The Effect of Hydroxy Silicone Oil Emulsion on the Waterproof Performance of Cement.

The hydrophilic and porous structure of cement-based concrete materials makes it vulnerable to various harmful ions dissolved in water in the environment or during the freeze-thaw cycle, resulting in a significant decline in durability. Therefore, the introduction of hydrophobic hydroxyl silicone oil with good chemical stability and excellent hydrophobic properties during the process of concrete preparation to achieve the hydrophobic modification of its internal holes has very positive significance in terms of improving its durability. In order to disperse the hydrophobic hydroxyl silicone oil evenly in the internal pores of the concrete, synthetic non-ionic polyether-modified silicone oil was used as an emulsifier to make it a water-soluble emulsion. The influences of the composition of the emulsifier on the dispersion, water contact angle, water absorption, porosity, and compressive strength of cement mortar were investigated. The results show that when the emulsion content is 0.5%, the pore volume of the cement mortar decreases by 15%, and the maximum contact angle reaches 128°, which is conducive to improving the anti-erosion and anti-freezing properties of concrete and provides a new solution for the preparation of high-durability concrete. However, the introduction of polyether-modified silicone oil increases the number of large holes in the cement mortar, and leads to an increase in water absorption and a decrease in compressive strength. It is necessary to further optimize the composition of emulsifier in future work.

Differential Low-Temperature AC Breakdown Between Synthetic Ester and Mineral Oils: Insights From Both Molecular Dynamics and Quantum Mechanics

Differential Low-Temperature AC Breakdown Between Synthetic Ester and Mineral Oils: Insights From Both Molecular Dynamics and Quantum Mechanics

Development of industrial-grade grease from waste pyrolysis wax

The present research aims to deal with the synthesis and formulation of grease from waste pyrolysis polymeric wax. An attempt has been made to characterize and evaluate the effect of lithium-based thickeners on different properties of the grease. The comparison between polymeric waste wax-derived grease against grease synthesized from paraffinic oil and castor oil has been thoroughly studied. One of the key ingredients of grease preparation is formulated using a base oil, i.e., mineral oil, synthetic oil, or vegetable oil. Waste polymeric wax holds significant potential as a base fluid. With this objective, lithium grease was prepared by actuating the saponification reaction between a 12-hydroxystearic acid and hydrated lithium hydroxide within a waste wax medium in an open container. The saponification reaction takes place up to neutralization by stirring using an anchor impeller. The properties of this new formulation are studied comprehensively in the present work. The formulated grease was then compared with commercial grease by performing various tests such as drop point, four ball tear test and copper corrosion. It is observed that synthesized grease has identical properties to industrial grease. Therefore, produced lubricating grease is elementary and cost-effective.

Improvement of Technical Operation of Rolling Stock through the Application of New Synthetic Lubricant Compositions

Improvement of Technical Operation of Rolling Stock through the Application of New Synthetic Lubricant Compositions

Multi-objective optimisation of a thermocline thermal energy storage integrated in a concentrated solar power plant

Most of CSP plants built today are all equipped with storage devices. Most are sensitive heat storages, in particular 2-tank systems. The aim of this study is to optimise a thermocline storage, designed for the Andasol CSP plant in Spain, on the basis of exergy, environmental and economic criteria. The optimum tank geometry, particle size and heat transfer fluid/filler material pair must be determined. To achieve this, six different fillers operating with Dowtherm A synthetic oil are being investigated: machined ceramics, ceramics obtained from waste materials and natural rock. The NSGA-II multi-objective genetic algorithm is used to solve the problem. This optimisation selects recycled ceramics as best filler materials. The exergy efficiency is not affected by the filler, with more than 99.8%. The application of TOPSIS method combined with weighting derived from Shannon entropy, selects recycled ceramic obtained from electric furnaces as the best filler. This tank has a tapered shape (diameter of 27.4 m, height of 22.2 m) and a very small particle diameter (6 mm). Compared with an earlier design available in literature, the environmental impact is reduced by 19%. The LCOE reaches 10.8 c€/kWhe, a 48% reduction compared with the selling price of heat in Spain (in 2021).