Synthesis and evaluation of ashless detergent/dispersant additives for lubricating engine oil

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to solve the problem of carbonaceous deposits in automotive engines by preparing different ashless detergent/dispersant additives based on propylene oxide (PO) and different amines. Carbonaceous deposits in automotive engines are the major problems associated with oil aging. Efficient detergents and dispersants have been used to solve this problem, particularly in lubricating oils.

Design/methodology/approach

The structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) for determination of molecular weight. This was followed by the evaluation of the prepared compounds such as detergent/dispersant and antioxidants additives for lubricating engine oil using several techniques such as variation of viscosity ratio, change in total acid number, optical density using infrared techniques, spot method, determination of sludge and determination the potential detergent dispersant efficiency (PDDE).

Findings

All the prepared compounds were found to be soluble in lubricating oil. The efficiency of the prepared compounds such as antioxidant and detergent/dispersant additives for lubricating oil was investigated. It was found that the additives have excellent power of dispersion, detergency and the most efficient additives such as antioxidant those prepared by using n,n-dimethyloctadecylamine (NDOA) and di-n-butyl dithio phosphoric acid.

Practical implications

The paper includes preparation of new compounds from the reaction of propoxylated amines and different organic acids and evaluates them as detergent/dispersant and antioxidants additives by using several techniques.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to prepare new compounds from the reaction of propoxylated amines and different organic acids and evaluates them as additives by using different methods. All were found to have better efficiency as compared with commercial additives.

Citation

Ahmed, N.S., Abdel-Hameed, H.S., El-Kafrawy, A.F. and Nassar, A.M. (2015), "Synthesis and evaluation of ashless detergent/dispersant additives for lubricating engine oil", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 67 No. 6, pp. 622-629. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-05-2015-0065