Viscosity Studies Of Synthesized Polyol Ester From Jatropha Oil

• Main Author: Nor Mazelen Bt Mohamad Pauzi, Nor Mazelen
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi Petronas 2010
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/1321/1/Nor_Mazelen_Bt_Mohamad_Pauzi.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/1321/

The purpose of this project is to study the viscosity of synthesized polyol ester from jatropha oil. Jatropha oil-based polyol esters are potential biodegradable stocks for environmentally friendly lubricants. The physical properties of lubricants are primarily contributed by the structure of the lubricant base stock. Similarly, the first criterion for any potential polyol ester hydraulic fluid is the viscosity of the base ester before addition of any additive. Viscosity, μ, is the most important characteristic of a fluid lubricant because it has a major role in the formation of a fluid film. Hydraulic fluids of any type are designed to meet a specific viscosity classification. Viscosity grades are defined by International Standards Organization (ISO) standards according to a fluid’s viscosity at 40ºC in centistokes (mm2/second). The synthesis of jatropha oil trimethylolpropane (TMP) esters has been performed by transesterification of jatropha oil methyl esters (ME) with TMP using sulphuric acid as catalyst. The temperature and shear rate effect on viscosity are then have been investigated and be compared with methyl ester, sarapar and neopentylglycol in this project. The Brookfield Cap 2000+ LSeries and H-series have been used to measure viscosity at lower and higher temperature respectively. Polyol esters (POE) are being used in many applications areas as compressor oils, refrigeration lubricants, metalworking fluid, jet engine lubricants, high-temperature chain oils, hydraulic fluids and automotive gear oils. In industrial markets, POEs are used extensively in synthetic refrigeration lubricants due to their miscibility with non-chlorine refrigerants. They are also widely used in a variety of very high temperature applications such as industrial oven chains, stationary turbine engines, high temperature grease, fire resistant transformer coolants, fire resistant hydraulic fluids, and textile lubricants.