d-Limonene

[Dale_Knight]

I happened to be reading some patent info and ran into this d-Limonene reference;

"d-Limonene is useful also as a crankcase additive to prevent sludge and resin formation in the lubricant supply section of an internal combustion engine. The preferred range is one part of d-Limonene to every thirty-two parts of lubricant."

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4533487.html

Just wondering if others have heard of d-Limonene used as a sludge and varnish remover or motor oil additive.

These docs shows some physical data for d-Limonene;

http://www.speclab.com/compound/c59892.htm

http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:E2N...lnk&cd=28&gl=ca

http://www.pdmchemicals.com/TDS/TDS-Chemicals Constants for D-Limonene.doc.

 

[tom slick]

I've used d-Limonene as a light duty degreaser and it works ok. it is fairly safe/non-irratating. I prefer something alkaline for degreasing duty. it works great as a bug spray repellent.

I don't know that I'd mix it with motor oil though.

 

[Dale_Knight]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
I don't know that I'd mix it with motor oil though.


Not my first choice either but I see at least one company mixes d-Limonene with ethyl lactate monobasic esters for cleaning sludge out of tank trucks and storage vessels;

http://www.vertecbiosolvents.com/services.htm

Maybe d-Limonene mixed with some diester base oil would work well.

 

[Dale_Knight]

What I've been told though is that d-Limonene has a KB value of close to 70 making it about double the solvency of kerosene, but works much better synergistically with a compatible ester surfactant.

.

 

[kc8adu]

i use a solvent for cleaning printer parts that is mostly d-Limonene.
it does a good job of cleaning/reconditioning rubber rollers,ect.smells good too.
i guess i will try it on a sludge coated part the next time a sludgemonster comes in to the weekend garage.

 

[va3ux]

d-limonene does a heck of job in all the citrus based hand cleaners (ie. Fast Orange, etc). I too have wondered how it would do in a crank case for cleaning/de-sludging

 

[beanoil]

d-limonene's uses are becoming popular with the push for green sources of products. There is even a patent filed to take d-limonene, distill it, remove the fraction from 346 to 382 degrees and then mix it with gasoline, or use it as a fuel by itself. d-limonene based cleaners replaced the 1,1,1 trichloroethane cleaners we used to use. Not as aggressive, but effective.

 

[Rick20]

I think that d-limonene is a bit too tough on polymer seals for my liking, although at 1 ounce per quart that is not a boat load.
But I would caution anyone that game enough to use it in a motor, d-limonene has one property that makes it dangerous to use around the home. If it is exposed to certain oxidizers, or oxidizing situations it can become exothermic. Without a long drawn out speel on exothermic reactions, the potential of shop towel or rag fires sould be considered. Any shop towels or rags used that may come in contact with d-limonene should be soaked in soappy water.

I have designed and manufactured chemicals for the printing industry for over 20 years. Improper handling of many terpene hydrocarbon laced shop towels can be disasterous, if not handled properly.