Experimental investigation of tribological characteristics and emissions with nonedible sunflower oil as a biolubricant

ABSTRACT

Plant (vegetable) oil has been evaluated as a substitute for mineral oil–based lubricants because of its natural and environmentally friendly characteristics. Availability of vegetable oil makes it a renewable source of bio-oils. Additionally, vegetable oil–based lubricants have shown potential for reducing hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions when utilized in internal combustion (IC) engines and industrial operations. In this study, sunflower oil was investigated to study its lubricant characteristics under different loads using the four-ball tribometer and the exhaust emissions were tested using a four-stroke, single-cylinder diesel engine. All experimental works conformed to American Society for Testing and Materials standard (ASTM D4172-B). Under low loads, sunflower oil showed adequate tribological characteristics (antifriction and antiwear) compared with petroleum oil samples. The results also demonstrated that the sunflower oil–based lubricant was more effective in reducing the emission levels of carbon monoxide (CO), CO₂, and hydrocarbons under different test conditions. Therefore, sunflower oil has the potential to be used as lubricant of mating components.

Implications: An experimental investigation of the characteristics of nonedible sunflower oil tribological behaviors and potential as a renewable source for biofluids alternative to the petroleum oils was carried out. The level of emissions of a four–stroke, single-cylinder diesel engine using sunflower oil as a biolubricant was evaluated.

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Notes on contributors

Mohammed Hassan Jabal

Mohammed Hassan Jabal holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology, Malaysia (UTM) and is Assistant Professor in faculty of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.

Abdulmunem R. Abdulmunem

Abdulmunem R. Abdulmunem is a senior lecturer in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Department, Energy & Renewable Energies Engineering Branch, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq, since January 2015.

Hussain Saad Abd

Hussain Saad Abd holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering by the University of Technology, Iraq and is senior lecturer in faculty of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.