Tribological and economic evaluation of recycled mineral lubricating oils

• Published in: Science China. Technological sciences Vol. 56; no. 12; pp. 2964 - 2972
• Main Authors: Liu, JianFang, Gu, KaLi, Duan, HaiTao, Zhao, Yuan, Li, Jian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Additives; Chemical properties; Combustion; Economics; Engineering; Lubricating oils; Lubrication; Minerals; Recycled; 再生; 回收成本; 摩擦学; 油膜轴承油; 润滑性能; 矿物润滑油; 磨损表面; 经济评价; lubrication performance; economic evaluation; lubricating oil; refortification process; physical and chemical property
• ISSN: 1674-7321; 1869-1900
• DOI: 10.1007/s11431-013-5408-x

Seven kinds of used mineral lubricating oils, including hydraulic oils, film bearing oils, steam turbine oil and gear oils, were recycled by reclamation and adding additives. Physical and chemical properties of the recycled oils were measured and their lubrication performances were evaluated by the original and modified four-ball testers. Worn surfaces were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Raman microscope. The recycling costs of burning, re-refined and refortified were estimated. Results showed that physical and chemical properties of the refortified oils were improved effectively and became in the industrial access standard. With the different friction materials under different loads, refortified oils provided excellent lubrication performances, much better than those of fresh oils. Because of additives replenished, the different lubrication films could form on the worn surfaces. A rough financial calculation revealed that the refortification process could produce the most economic value among the three methods.