Synthesis and Study of Properties of Biolubricant based on Moringa oleifera Oil for Industrial Application

Abstract

Blends of Moringa oleifera oil with conventional lubricant, SAE 40 were studied for industrial application. The Moringa oleifera seed oil was extracted using soxhlet extractor. The oil was filtered, degummed and blended with SAE 40 in different percentage from 10% - 40% by volume using a magnetic stirrer. The viscosity and density properties as well as wear rate property using aluminium pin against carbon steel disc were studied. In cases of 40°C and 100°C, viscosity of MOL 10 satisfied SAE 30 and SAE 40 grade requirements. Next to it was MOL 20 which satisfied SAE 30 grade requirement at 40°C and 100°C but did not meet SAE 40 grade requirement at both temperatures. In case of 100°C, the biolubricants MOL 30 and MOL 40 did not meet the SAE requirements. The density of all the blend samples was found comparable to those of the conventional base oil. The wear rate of all blend samples increased with applied load. The MOL 10 blend showed nearly same properties comparable with the base lubricant (SAE 40) in terms of density, viscosity and wear rate, which demonstrated that it would be commercially viable for industrial application.