Industrial Lubrication and Tribology

Purpose – This paper seeks to outline the technical characteristics of certain biodegradable lubricants which can lead to potential energy savings.

Design/methodology/approach – Reviews the reasons for introduction of biodegradable lubricants, and describes the outcome of development and establishment of suitable range of lubricants for almost all applications.

Findings – Plant-based lubricants have low toxicity, they are derived from crop resources, they are recognised as safer to use, and are rapidly biodegradable when spilled on to open land or into water. As such they break down to reduce pollution burden and are favoured by the Environment Agency when used near watercourses. Products have been developed now for almost all applications including hydraulics, engines, transmissions, compressors, metalworking, turbines, and for use in all industry sectors. Latest generation biolubricants, however, give additional advantages above and beyond the original concept to reduce pollution: the latest products have high levels of performance in terms of both loading and temperature. In particular, their frictional characteristics have been shown to be considerably more favourable than those for mineral oil, offering energy reduction during use.

Research limitations/implications – The paper is restricted to findings based on ester-based synthetic lubricants where the esters have been derived principally from renewable resources.

Practical implications – Quite apart from their environmental attributes, reduced energy consumption and therefore lower variable costs are now possible, and the concept of use of these oils to give distinct savings is becoming recognised.

Originality/value – This study emphasises that distinct advantages for synthetic lubricants, particularly for biodegradable synthetic ester lubricants derived from renewable resources, are now being realised.