ARS | Publication request: A Closer Look at Biodiesel Lubricity

Submitted to: Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: March 10, 2005
Publication Date: May 1, 2005
Citation: Knothe, G.H. 2005. A closer look at biodiesel lubricity [abstract]. Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society. p.56.

Technical Abstract: Biodiesel, an alternative diesel fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats or used frying oils, is technically largely competitive with petroleum-derived diesel fuel. Most regulated exhaust emissions, with the exception of nitrogen oxides, are reduced when using biodiesel. Other advantages include biodegradability, high flash point, and use of a domestic, renewable resource for its production. Another aspect seen as an advantage of biodiesel is its ability to impart lubricity at low blend levels (~ 2%) to low-sulfur petrodiesel fuels required by future regulations. It has generally been assumed that the methyl (or other alkyl) ester moieties in biodiesel are responsible for this lubricity effect. However, these moieties do not significantly influence lubricity at low blend levels. On the other hand, materials such as free fatty acids and monoacylglycerols present in biodiesel improve lubricity significantly at low levels. A sequence of moieties enhancing lubricity can also be developed. Studies were carried out using a high-frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR) lubricity tester.