29
FUELS & LUBES INTERNATIONAL
Quarter Four 2014
global business unit for ExxonMobil
Chemical.
ExxonMobil’s Baytown, Texas
integrated refining and chemical
complex recently streamed a new
production unit that can produce
up to 50,000 tonnes of SpectraSyn
Elite
TM
. A tolling arrangement with
Albemarle Corp. in Baton Rouge,
La., produces an additional 15,000
metric tonnes.
ExxonMobil also offers other
synthetic base stocks, such as Spec-
traSyn
TM
and SpectraSyn Plus
TM
PAOs, Synesstic
TM
alkylated naphtha-
lene and Esterex
TM
ester fluids.
BASF’s novel co-solvent
esters
When determining which base
stocks or additives are to be used in
a lubricant formulation, the most
important question is what applica-
tion is the product for? Next, what
are the properties needed for this
application?
Esters can make a difference as
a co-base with PAOs or Group III
base oils, according to Kashani. He
stressed the importance of choosing
the right rawmaterials in achieving
the desired end-product properties
and performance.
“Esters provide excellent lubri-
cation, are compatible with PAOs
and mineral oils and are a good ad-
ditive solubilizer. They also provide
the desired seal swell to counteract
PAO seal shrinking. They realize fuel
savings and energy efficiency along
with providing thermal and oxidative
stability in mechanical systems for
extended drain intervals. Esters burn
cleanly, keep the system clean and
reduce deposits along with sludge
build-up. They also solubilise carbo-
naceous deposits. Depending on the
feedstock used for the esters, they are
biodegradable and renewable.”
“Important lubricant properties
are affected by the acid and alcohol
choices,” he added. For example, a
more branched saturated alcohol will
result in improved low-temperature
properties in the resulting product.
Commonly used co-solvent esters by
formulators include: di-isodecyladi-
pate (DIDA), di-isotridecyladipate
(DITA) and trimethylol propane
tricaprylate/caprate (TMTC). DIDA
is commonly used in North America,
DITA in Europe and TMTC in both
North America and Europe. TMTC
is derived from C8-C10 fatty acids
based on oleochemicals such as
coconut oil and palm oil and TMP.
The feedstock for TMTC is becom-
ing more expensive, and sources are
becoming more constrained, he said.
BASF, seeing the need for
co-solvent esters with PAOs or
Group III mineral oils for the high-
performance lubricants market,
developed Synative® ES DPHA, a
DIDA alternative. It does not rely
on C8-C10 fatty acids and therefore
can be used as a drop-in solution in
applications that use TMTC. It offers
superior low-temperature properties
and improved thermal and oxidative
stability. It also has excellent friction-
reducing properties for potential
energy efficiency and cost savings,
especially due to extended drain
intervals.
This new high-performance
ester is registered and globally avail-
able in North America, Europe and
Japan. It is expected to be available in
other Asian markets soon, including
China, in 2015.
Synative® ES DPHA can be used
in a variety of products including in-
dustrial gear oils, driveline lubricants
and hydraulic fluids.
Besides Synative® esters, BASF
offers a broad range of other syn-
thetic base stocks, such as Breox®,
Plurasafe® and Pluracol® PAGs.
Emery Oleochemicals
focuses on renewables
Known for its innovative and
tailored natural-based lubricant
solutions, Emery Oleochemicals’
environmentally friendly products
such as azelaic acid, pelargonic acid,
dimer acid, isostearic acid and other
types of renewable-based fatty acids
represent a growing portfolio of
esters under its DEHYLUB® product
suite. Made from renewable raw
materials like palm/palm kernel,
coconut or tallow oils, the products
offer the additional advantage of
good biodegradability and low
aquatic toxicity while delivering
high-performance.
The company’s products are
suited for all kinds of lubricants,
including two-stroke engine oils,
crankcase engine oils, chain lubri-
cants, hydraulic fluids, form release/
separating agents, gear and transmis-
sion oils, greases, steel rolling oils,
neat oils and cooling lubricants.
Emery Oleochemicals’ products find
application in high-growth industries
such as automotive, oil field and
exploration and industrial lubricants.
Being a pioneer in the commer-
cial development of ozone technol-
ogy, Emery Oleochemicals is the
world's largest industrial producer of
azelaic acid. Its proprietary ozonolysis
oxidation technology transforms
oleic acid into pelargonic and azelaic
acid. Synthetic ester base stocks made
from these acids show good viscosity/
temperature relationships, performing
better than petroleum-based oils in
this area, according to Kongkrapan,
group CEO. Azelate diesters also have
high flash points, low peroxide values
and low viscosity increase during oxi-
dation and excellent overall lubricity.
Additionally, the company is
credited as the first in the world to
make dimer and isostearic acids,
having produced these products
at their Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,
facility since the 1950s. Demand
for dimer acid is increasing due
to its suitability for use in oil and
gas drilling. Emery Oleochemicals’
portfolio of isostearic acids are
finding increased use in lubricant
base stocks and in additive formu-
lations due to their good oxidative
stabilities and excellent low-
temperature behavior, Kongkrapan
said.
Kongkrapan Intarajang
NawidKashani
