Lube Oil Performance Enhancement Using Nano-Polymers Additives during Copolymerization Reaction

Abstract

Under the parameters of normal engine operation, lubricating oil typically experience periodic shifts in its viscosity. Because of this, engine oils often include polymeric additives that are referred to as viscosity modifiers. The oil is able to give acceptable fluid lubrication at extreme temps due to these additives, which are oil-soluble polymers. The aim of present work to use polymers in form of nano-composites such as Styrene, Octadecyl-methacrylate (ODMC) and Dodecyle-methcrylate (DDMC) for lube oil viscosity index and pour point enhancement during copolymerization reaction. The benzoyl peroxide was used as an initiator. Solubilizes were made using SN-150 mineral base oil from the Al-Dorha refineries in Baghdad, which had a viscosity index of 128, and a viscosity range of 0 to 100°C. Styrene and methacrylate monomer combinations were copolymerized in an SN-150 mineral base oil solution in a nitrogen atmosphere at 60-80°C. A 200 mm3 oil glass reactor fitted with a magnetic stirrer and a reflux condenser was used to conduct the reactions. Five percent by weight of the total monomer was the concentration used. With respect to the monomers, the initiator concentration was 1.0% wt. Seven hours are needed for the whole reaction cycle. The copolymer composition was modified from 5 to 25% wt.% styrene by changing the monomer combination ratio. The advanced statistical analysis is performed to find the optimum conditions by mean of surface response and multiple regression using MINITAB. The optimization finding is obtained at Styrene of 5%, DDMC of 18% and ODMC of 18%, which promotes viscosity index of 197 leading to 51% enhancement in Al-Dora lube oil.

Keywords

• lube oil
• minitab
• copolymerization