Nigeria Jatropha oil as suitable basestock for biolubricant production

Abstract

Jatropha oil which is a non-edible vegetable oil that is sustainable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly is thought to be a good substitute for mineral oil for lubricant production. The physicochemical, rheological, temperature, thermo-oxidative stability and corrosion properties of Nigerian Jatropha oil and commercially available mineral oil base lubricant (SAE 20W50) were determined for suitability as base stock for lubricant production. The Jatropha oil has specific gravity of 0.91, free fatty acid of 15.6 mg KOH/g , pH of 5.82, saponification value of 220.46 mg KOH/g and Iodine value of 88.9 gI2/100g oil. Assessment of the rheological and temperature properties of the Jatropha oil gave kinematic viscosity at 400C and 1000C as 83.2 cSt and 63.5 cSt respectively, viscosity index of 145.5, pour point of -11.20C, cloud point of -8.30C and flash point of 2640C. The peroxide value of the Jatropha oil was 5.98 meq/Kg and it was of corrosion grade 0. The jatropha oil has better viscosity index compared to the SAE 20W50, whereas the SAE 20W50 is better than the jatropha oil in other measured properties. The properties of the Jatropha oil need to be improved except its cold flow, flash point and corrosion inhibition properties