Environmentally Friendly and Biobased Lubricants

Book excerpt: A Comprehensive Review of Developing Environmentally Friendly Lubricants A push from environmentally savvy consumers along with recent changes in governmental regulations have paved the way for a marketplace of products with high levels of environmental performance. Fueled by the growing demand for biobased lubricants, Environmentally Friendly and Biobased Lubricants highlights the development of environmentally friendly additives that are compatible with environmental regulations and describes the approaches being used in this emerging area. Derived from research topics shared over the years at various technical sessions of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) Annual Meetings, the book includes a critical assessment of gaps and weaknesses in the field of environmentally friendly fluids and biobased lubricants. Each chapter is written by authors selected from the environmentally friendly fluids and biobased lubricants sessions of STLE and also incorporates input from prominent researchers invited to take part in the book. Expert contributors discuss the control, production, usage, and disposal of lubricants; factor in related policies, laws, and regulations around the world; and include case studies demonstrating the uses and values of commercially viable biobased lubricants. The book is divided into five sections that cover advanced environmentally friendly base oils and feedstocks, biobased hydraulic lubricants and biodegradability, chemically/enzymatically modified environmentally friendly base oils, vegetable oil–based environmentally friendly fluids, and additives for environmentally friendly fluids.