Alright, I have a simple question. Can engine oil be produced from veggie oil?
Engine Oil From Veggies?
- Thread starter Red91
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Yes. Renewable Lubricants Inc sells engine oils derived from plant oils.
And animal fat, too.
Now, that I think about it, it was the earliest lubricants people used.
Now, that I think about it, it was the earliest lubricants people used.
Why are there not more outlets for it? I mean, why don't bigger companies utilize a line of oils made from plants?
Originally Posted By: Red91
Why are there not more outlets for it? I mean, why don't bigger companies utilize a line of oils made from plants?
I suspect the production costs are high. The market for expensive boutique oils is very small.
Why are there not more outlets for it? I mean, why don't bigger companies utilize a line of oils made from plants?
I suspect the production costs are high. The market for expensive boutique oils is very small.
I think now, with cheap nat gas,this is the way to go. It may change in the future.
Interesting question. I just happened to see some Avocado oil at Costco today and it said it doesn't burn off until 500 deg F. But it at 200 deg I'm guessing it's not very viscous at all.
If you started with straight veggie oil, could you not add viscosity improvers to defend against thermal breakdown? I know the question I asked has been answered, I suppose I'm hijacking my own post. I'm headed in the direction of do it yourself.
It would be interesting to see what could be done with it since it is a renewable resource. I read a while back (different thing altogether) that GoodYear was working on making a tire using soybean oil. Sounds good to me since I don't really think that stuff (soybean oil) belongs in my food.
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Originally Posted By: Red91
If you started with straight veggie oil, could you not add viscosity improvers to defend against thermal breakdown? I know the question I asked has been answered, I suppose I'm hijacking my own post. I'm headed in the direction of do it yourself.
No, since viscosity index improvers are the primary cause of thermal breakdown. The largest shortcoming of vegetable oil is oxidative stability. There are special anti-oxidants that can be used to formulate an oil with vegetable oil. In the examples above the vegetable and animal fats are reacted with an alcohol to form esters, which is a much more suitable base stock. These oils are group V synthetics.
Ed
If you started with straight veggie oil, could you not add viscosity improvers to defend against thermal breakdown? I know the question I asked has been answered, I suppose I'm hijacking my own post. I'm headed in the direction of do it yourself.
No, since viscosity index improvers are the primary cause of thermal breakdown. The largest shortcoming of vegetable oil is oxidative stability. There are special anti-oxidants that can be used to formulate an oil with vegetable oil. In the examples above the vegetable and animal fats are reacted with an alcohol to form esters, which is a much more suitable base stock. These oils are group V synthetics.
Ed
I misinterpreted what viscosity improvers do. I've read enough about high end syns that I should have known better.
True....good point.
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