Biodegradability rates of synthetic and dino oil

[arihel]

Hello.

I would really appreciate if you can give some guidings regarding technical papers in the biodegradability and environmental effects of used oils, google has been useful so far, but if you have read something interesting in these topics, i would like to hear...ejem... read...
I have read a little bit about the chemistry of the API groups, and the one that worries me worse is the group 1 (Widely used in Mexico).
By the way, i am also looking for articles and white papers about the diesel exhaust emissions, when syn oils are used and when dino oils are used.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve S]

Base stock biodegradibilty or complete motor oil 'The additive package' ?

 

[Tempest]

The combustion leftovers and metals contained in the used motor oil will be much worse than the base oil.

 

[arihel]

I am interested in the used oil environmental impact, right now, the IC engine oil is the one that i am studying. I am aware of some of the environmental friendly lubes, but as far as I know they are not widely used, as a matter of fact, they are almost unknown in Mexico.
Steve: I am interested in both faces of the problem.
Tempest: It is an excellent tip, i hadn not tought about the wear metals, I am now going to look into environmental toxicology of wear metals...
Little time ago, i listen that almost 40% of IC engines used oils ended in sewers.

This document was the trigger of my interest:
http://www.om.ugal.ro/AnnalsFasc8Tribology/pdf/2003/II-ANALE-66-GLIGORIJEVIC.pdf

Thank you for your replys

 

[MolaKule]

Arihel,

The most friendly new or unused lubes in terms of environmental spills onto soils and waterways are the GroupV oils of synthesized esters and oleo-esters (of vegetable and animal origin).

Used oil is a problem since it contains benzenes, ketones, and other HC's, and it contains heavy metals such as zinc, calcium, molybdenum, magnesium, etc.

Now all HC's have a half life so eventually they dissipate, but it's the heavier metals that are more difficult to disperse.

 

[MolaKule]

Here are some biodegradability tests. Google to find specifics.


Biodegradability - OECD 301F/ ASTM D6731

Aquatic Toxicity Test - Daphnia magna - ASTM D6081

Plant Growth Chamber Toxicity - OECD 208/ ASTM E1963

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
arihel - Many Oil Companies are indeed working on biodegradable products

A trip over the Indian Ocean or the Gulf of Aden gives an insight into why!

FUCHS has long had biodegradable lubricants. Their Titan GT1 0W20 offered 80% degradability in 80 days according to CEC-L-33-A-63 - that was in 2000. This product has been developed into a race engine oil and is used in some BMWs. It was in selected engines in the rec3nt DADA 24hr event at the Nurburgring

FUCHS has a long and proud history with specialised lubricants and is FF in some German engines

I hope this is of interest

 

[arihel]

Thanks for your replys.
I can see that i have a lot of homework!
I am now reading the chapter 6 "Environmental lubricants" from "Lubrication fundamentals" and a couple articles found thanks to google.
Really wide study field.
Some things that i have found are related to some bacteria that are able to "eat" HCs, and some yeasts that are able to "catch" heavy metals.
Going to study further.