Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1412702
38 | September - October 2021 | www . machinerylubrication.com Bio-Based Versus Petro-Based Lubricants Base oils, the primary ingredients in a lubri- cant, are often first described by their origin, such as those either derived from biological materials (bio-based, such as plants) versus those refined from crude oil (petroleum, or petro- based) from the ground. ese two base oil types, along with man-made synthetics, make up the three cate- gories of base oils. Each represents a demand in the lubricant market, and each for good reasons. But there is a lot to understand about the differences between bio-based and petro-based lubricants, in how they are made and where they can be best used. Additionally, bio-based lubricants have numerous terms that are often used interchangeably or in a related context. e infographic to the right helps provide some clarity on these terms. While the term petro-based is sometimes used, they are more commonly referred to as miner- al-based or mineral oils. ese are lubricants that are sourced and refined from crude oil. e complex refining process separates the petro- leum products that can be used as a base oil from other products, such as fuels, and cleans up the base oil by removing the majority of the impu- rities. e properties of the original petroleum and the quality of the refining process produce a variety of lubricant characteristics that can be paired up with almost any lubricant application. ese represent more than 80% of the world's lubricant market. On the other hand, a lubricant can be considered bio-based if it is partially or wholly extracted from natural biological sources. ey are most commonly from plant seeds but may also come from animal fats or even some forestry products. ese are also sometimes referred to as natural esters or natural oils. Whenever bio-based lubricants are identified as a vegetable-based oil, this refers to those from agricultural sources, such as plants. ese also are often referred to as veggie oils and plant-based oils. Given their renewable source, they are popular for applications where a renewable product is desired or required. Like mineral oils, they must be refined but are often only marginally altered to help maintain some of their natural qualities, such as biodegradability. Because of their renewable and biodegradable properties, they are often considered environmentally friendly. Bio-based lubricants can further be considered Environmen- tally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs), based on VGP (Vessel General Permit) regulations provided by the EPA and defined as those which are biodegradable and minimally toxic and are not bioaccumulative. Bennett Fitch | Noria Corporation ENERGY CONSERVATION, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT Factor: E1P Learn More: noria.com/ascend/ Factor: E1P — Energy Conser- vation, Health & Environmental Impact Level: Platform (P) Stage: Energy Conservation, Health & Environment About: Companies should care- fully monitor their energy conservation, health & environmental impact as new and used lubricants can cause significant damage when not disposed of responsibly, and every country has different environmental regulations. More about this ASCEND ™ Factor