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NBS SPECIAL PUBLICATION 674

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE/National Bureau of Standards
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The National Bureau of Standards' was established by an act ot Congress on March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology

and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts

research and provides: (1) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau's technical work is per- formed by the National Measurement Laboratory, the National Engineering Laboratory, and

the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology.

THE NATIONAL MEASUREMENT LABORATORY provides the national system of

physical and chemical and materials measurement; coordinates the system with measurement

systems of other nations and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform

physical and chemical measurement throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry,

and commerce; conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement,

standards, and data on the properties of materials needed by industry, commerce, educational

institutions, and Government; provides advisory and research services to other Government

agencies; develops, produces, and distributes Standard Reference Materials; and provides

calibration services. The Laboratory consists of the following centers:

Absolute Physical Quantities2 — Radiation Research — Chemical Physics -

Analytical Chemistry — Materials Science

THE NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY provides technology and technical ser- vices to the public and private sectors to address national needs and to solve national problems; conducts research in engineering and applied science in support of these efforts; builds and maintains competence in the necessary disciplines required to carry out this research and technical service; develops engineering data and measurement capabilities;

provides engineering measurement traceability services; develops test methods and proposes

engineering standards and code changes; develops and proposes new engineering practices;

and develops and improves mechanisms to transfer results of its research to the ultimate user. The Laboratory consists of the following centers:

Applied Mathematics — Electronics and Electrical Engineering2 — Manufacturing

Engineering — Building Technology — Fire Research — Chemical Engineering2

THE INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts

research and provides scientific and technical services to aid Federal agencies in the selection, acquisition, application, and use of computer technology to improve effectiveness and

economy in Government operations in accordance with Public Law 89-306 (40 U.S.C. 759), relevant Executive Orders, and other directives; carries out this mission by managing the Federal Information Processing Standards Program, developing Federal ADP standards

guidelines, and managing Federal participation in ADP voluntary standardization activities; provides scientific and technological advisory services and assistance to Federal agencies; and

provides the technical foundation for computer-related policies of the Federal Government. The Institute consists of the following centers:

Programming Science and Technology — Computer Systems Engineering.

'Headquarters and Laboratories at Gaithersburg, M D, unless otherwise noted; mailing address Washington, DC 20234. 'Some divisions within the center are located at Boulder, CO 80303.
Measurements and Standards

for Recycled Oil-EE

Proceedings of a conference held

at the National Bureau of Standards

Gaithersburg, Maryland

September 14-16, 1982

Donald A. Becker, Editor

Center for Analytical Chemistry

National Measurement Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Sponsored by:

Recycled Oil Program

Office of Recycled Materials

National Measurement Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Co-sponsored by:

ASTM Technical Division P on

Recycled Petroleum Products

Association of Petroleum Re-refiners

tftf OF

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director

Issued July 1 984
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 84-601070

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674

Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 674,314 pages (July 1984)

CODEN: XNBSAV

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1984

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402
PREFACE

On December 22, 1975, President Ford signed into law an act passed by the Congress of the

United States entitled "The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975" (Public Law 94-163).

Section 383 of this act states that the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) shall develop test procedures" ... for the determination of substantial equivalency of re-refined or otherwise processed

used oil... with new oil for a particular end use." Further, NBS is to "...report such procedures to the [Federal Trade] Commission..." as soon as practicable. This fourth NBS conference, held on September 14 through 16, 1982 is part of the NBS response to this legislation.

In additional to usual objectives, this conference was designed to bring together in one place

all of the significant work by NBS on the development of test procedures for re-refined lubricating

oil. This was done in order to provide a handy reference and compilation of the NBS work. Several

papers of non-NBS work of particular relevance were also included.

Certain commercial materials and equipment are identified in this proceedings in order to specify adequately the experimental procedure. In no case does such identification imply

recommendation or endorsement by the Naqtional Bureau of Standards, nor does it necessarily imply

that the material or equipment indentified is necessarily the best available for the purpose.

This volume, then, essentially completes the efforts of the NBS Recycled Oil Program. During

its approximately seven year lifetime, NBS has fulfilled most of the legislative mandates contained

in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975. This work has resulted in over 52 publications

in the open literature, as was detailed in the final report of the NBS Office of Recycled Materials

(NBS SP 662).

Donald A. Becker

National Bureau of Standards

ABSTRACT

This publication is a formal report of the fourth and last Conference on Measurements and

Standards for Recycled Oil, held at the National Bureau of Standards on September 14 to 16, 1982. There were five sessions on specific subject areas, with a total of 28 presentations.

This conference was designed to bring together all of the work by NBS and NBS cooperators on the development of test procedures for re-refined lubricating oil. This proceedings contains the

entire texts of the various presentations, including figures and tables.

Key Words: Engine oil; hydraulic oil; industrial oil; lubricating oil; oil specifications;

petroleum standards; petroleum test methods; recycled oil; re-refined oil; used

oi 1; waste oi 1

.

V

CONTENTS

Page

Preface iii

Abstract v

Welcoming Remarks - R. Kammer 1

Remarks by the Chairman of ASTM Technical Division P - P. Strigner

Recent Factors Affecting the Oil Recycling Industry - J. McBain

The California Used Oil Recycling Program - G. Moskat 7

The Fate of Hazardous Wastes in Used Oil Recycling - D. Brinkman,

P. Fennelly and N. Suprenant 13

Analysis of PCB's in Oil: Technique and SRM Development - R. Parris, F. Guenther,

W. May and S. Chesler 27

Analysis for PCB's in Oil: The NBS/ASTM Round Robin - D. Becker 33

Lube Oil Monitoring in the State of California - J. Johnson 43

Revision of the MIL-L-2104C Specification - T. Bowen 47

Correlation Aspects of a Virgin and a Re-refined Engine Oil Containing the Same Additives -

P. Strigner 51

Development of Methodology for Engine Deposit Characterization -

K. Kohl and E. Frame 61

Development of a Bench Engine Screening Test for Motor Oils - D. Heath 75

The ASTM/NBS Basestock Consistency Study - D. Becker 85

Multiple Regression Analysis: A Look Inside the ASTM/NBS BCS Data - S. Weeks and S. Hsu. . 93

The Consistency of Virgin Basestocks - H. Golinkin 95

Evaluation of Test Methods for Physical Properties of Re-refined Lubricating Base Oils -

S. Weeks and S. Hsu 109

Evaluation of Chemical Property Test Methods for Re-refined Lubricating Base Oils - A. Cummings, P. Pei and S. Hsu 125

Evaluation of Ashing Methods for the Determination of Total Metal Content of Lubricating Oil

Basestocks - J. Comeford and S. Hsu 139

Development and Use of the Microoxidation Test with Crankcase Oils - E. Klaus, P. Shah

and V. Krishnamachar 155

Evaluation of a Modified Timken Test for the Characterization of Motor Oils -

L. Ives, P. Boyer and A. Ruff 169

Development of a Step Loading Seizure Test for Engine Oil Additive Response - R. Gates and S. Hsu 183

Differential Scanning Calorimetry Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Engine Oils - S. Hsu, A. Cummings and D. Clark 195

Comparative Response of Re- refined and Virgin Lube Oils to Additives by DSC -

J. Walker, W. Tsang and L. Szegvary 209

vii
CONTENTS

Page

Kinetic Studies for Waste Oil Demetall ization - A. Tarrer, R. Sachhathep, D. Vives

and L. Hirth 223

Re-refined Lubricating Base Oil Characterization Using Liquid Chromatographic

Techniques - P. Pei and S. Hsu 241

Evaluation of ASTM D-2007 Method for the Determination of Lubricating Oil Composition - C. Ku, P. Pei and S. Hsu 257

Test Methods for Total Chlorine in Lubricating Base Oils - P. Pei, R. Fleming

and S. Hsu 271

A Thin-Film Oxygen Uptake Test for the Evaluation of Automotive Lubricants -

C. Ku and S. Hsu 287

Thin-Film Oxidation Test: Relationship Between Composition and Additive Response

for Re-refined Oils - C. Ku and S. Hsu 297

NBS Provisional Tests for Re-refined Engine Oil - D. Becker and S. Hsu 309

viii
CONFERENCE ON MEASUREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR RECYCLED OIL - IV

National Bureau of Standards

Gaithersburg, Maryland USA

September 14-16, 1982

Robert Alvarez

National Bureau of Standards

Office of Stand. Ref. Matls.

Bldg. 222, Rm. B311

Washington, DC 20234 \ Donald A. Becker

National Bureau of Standards

Office of Recycled Matls.

Bldg. 221, Rm. B321

Washington, DC 20234

Anthony S. Bellavia

Pfandler Co. 1000 West Ave. Rochester, NY 14603

Irving Berkowitz

East Eleventh Street Fuel, Inc. 65-65 Booth Street

Rego Park, NY 11374

Bill Bider

Franklin Associates

8340 Mission Road, Suite 101

Prairie Village, KS 66206

Fred Blatz

Auto Research Laboratories

6735 S. Harlem Ave. Chicago, IL 60638

Glenn P. Bonelli

General Waste Oil Co. 37 Longworth Ave. Dix Hills, NY 11746

George T. Booth, III Booth Oil Co. , Inc. P.O. Box 10112

Buffalo, NY 14210

Thomas C. Bowen

U.S. Army MERADC0M

ATTN: DRDME-GL

Ft. Belvoir, VA 22066

Patrick Brassart

Syndicat Nat'l Fabri cants Raffineurs

44 Rue La Boetic

Paris 8, France

E. A. Brennan Brennan Financial Services

16211 Whittier

Whittier, CA 90603

Dennis W. Brinkman

DOE/BETC

P.O. Box 1398

Bartlesville, OK 74005

Anthony Bronson

Lakewood Oil Service, Inc. 12015 E. Slauson Ave. , Suite B Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

D. H. Bronson

Lakewood Oil Service, Inc. 12015 E. Slauson Ave., Suite B Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Evelyn Bronson

Lakewood Oil Service, Inc. 12015 E. Slauson Ave., Suite B P.O. Box 3383

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Sheldon Brontman

Canadian Oil Company Limited

309 Cherry St. Toronto, Ontario M5A 3L3

Douglas M. Cameron

Turbo Manufacturing

Box 5827, Station "L" Edmonton, Alberta T6C 4G3

Anthony Cancro

NJ Dept. of Energy

Office of Recycling

101 Commerce Street

Newark, NJ 07102

David Carson

Consolidated Recycling Co., Inc 8 Commerce Drive

Troy, IN 47588

Paul K. Carson

Consolidated Recycling Co., Inc 8 Commerce Drive

Troy, IN 47588

Tai S. Chao

Atlantic Richfield Co. 400 E. Sibley Blvd.

Harvey, IL 60426

Jerry Cinq-Mars

Booth Oil Company, Inc. P.O. Box 10112

Buffalo, NY 14210

ix
David B. Clark

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 20234

Jack Comeford

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 20234

Tom Corriveau

American Recovery Co. Riley Rd.

E. Chicago, IN 46312

Thomas Coyle

National Bureau of Standards

Center for Materials Science

Washington-, DC 20234

Bruce Cranford

U.S. DOE 1000 Independence Av. , SW Washington, DC 20585

Arthur L. Cummings

American Sterilizer Company

2424 W. 23rd Street

Erie, PA 16514

George I. Davis

Davis Refining Corp.

P.O. Box 6089

Tallahassee, FL 32301

Eugene S. Domalski

National Bureau of Standards

Office of Recycled Matls.

Bldg. 220, Rm. B321

Washington, DC 20234

Janise Ehmann

Engineering Science

600 Bancroft Way

Berkeley, CA 94710

J. C. Enslin

S.A. Bureau of Standards

Private Bag X191

Pretoria, S. Africa 0181

John F. Ferguson, Jr. Beard Engineering, Inc. P.O. Box 3838 Baton Rouge, LA 70821

Edward P. Ferrero

U.S. Dept. of Energy

FE-32; MS-- D-107 (Gtn)

Washington, DC 20545

Dave Fischer

Canadian Oil Co. Ltd. 309 Cherry St. Toronto, Ontario M5A 3L3

Ronald F. Fleming

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 235, Rm.# B108

Washington, DC 20234

Donna H. Fothergill

Gulf Canada Ltd. 2489 North Sheridan Way

Sheridan Park, Ontario L5K 1A8

Richard S. Gates

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 20234

Herbert S. Golinkin

Amoco Chemicals Corp.

P.O. Box 400

Naperville, IL 60566

Cary Gravatt

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 223, Rm. B354

Washington, DC 20234

A. P. Gregg

Lawler Mfg. Inc. 262 Lackland Dr. Middlesex, NJ 08846

Thomas Harman

Harman Const. 5231 Tow Creek Road

N. Tonawawda, NY 14120

Dan Heath

Franklin Research Center

20th & Race Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Charles H. Hogue

Lubri zol 29400 Lakeland Blvd.

Wickliffe, OH 44092

John Holuk

Shell Canada

3415 Lakeshore Rd. West Oakville, Ontario L6J-5L7

Canada

Stephen M. Hsu National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 20234

Gino Iannucci Texaco Inc. P.O. Box 509

Beacon, NY 12508

Earl Jacklin

Warden Oi 1 Co. Inc. 187 Humboldt Ave. No. Minneapolis, MN 55405

X
Kenneth J. Jewett

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 20234

C. B. Johnson

Turbo Manufacturing

P.O. Box 5827, Sta. 7 Edmonton, Alberta T5W 1V9

Canada

James Johnson

Calif. Div. of Measurements Stand.

8500 Fruitridge Road

Sacramento, CA 95826

Walter Johnson

John Deere & Company

Technical Center

3300 River Drive

Moline, IL 61265

Jennings H. Jones Penn State University

Chemical Engineering Dept.

133 Fenske Laboratory

University Park, PA 16802

Don Jordan

Basic Petroleum Inc. Refinery Services

13331 Hwy 33 Patterson, CA 95363

Jacob Kalmacoff

HUB Oil Company, Ltd. 5805 - 17th Avenue. S.E. Calgary 23, Alberta

CANADA

Karen B. Kohl

Southwest Res. Inst. AFLRL

6220 Culebra Rd. San Antonio, TX 78284

Chia-Soon Ku National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 20234

Rong-Sheng Lin

Res. Asso. -Chi nese Pet. Corp.

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Russell E. Linnard

Phillips Petroleum Company

256 PLB, PRC Bartlesville, OK 74004

John A. Lundquist

Quaker State Oil Refining Corp.

Research Center, P.O. Box 989

Oil City, PA 16301

Thomas J. Manning

Resource Technology, Inc. 6803 W. 64th Street

Shawnee Mission, KS 66202

Denzil Mathews

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 22034

T. Jack Mayer

Sun Tech, Inc. P.O. Box 1135 Marcus Hook, PA 19061

James A. McBain

Association of Petroleum Re-Refining

Suite 1111, 2025 Pa. , Ave. Washington, DC 20006

Holly A. McDow

H.A. Associates

6363 San Felipe #151

Houston, TX 77057

Robert Mehrabian

National Bureau of Standards

Center for Materials Science

Washington, DC 20234

Steven Miller

Ekotek, Inc. 1600 North, 900 West

Salt Lake City, UT 84116

P. E. Mizelle

Cities Service Company

Box 3908, 12PPT

Tulsa, OK 74102

John A. Moore

The Oil Daily

Suite 1010

1301 Pennsylvania Ave. , NW Washington, DC 20004

Kimball L. Morris

A0R CAM-0R, Inc. 2340 S. Tibbs Ave.

P.O. Box 41271

Indianapolis, IN 46241-0271

Gunther Moskat

Calif. Solid Waste Mngmt. Board

1029— 9th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

John P. 0'Connell Motor Oils Refining Company

7601 W. 47th Street

McCook, IL 60525

xi
Stephen Odojewski

Waste Resource Associates

2576 Seneca

Niagra Falls, NY 14305

T. L. Oliphant

Witco Chem. Cord. 77 N. Kendall Ave. Bradford, PA 16701

Patrick Pei

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 20234

Michael Petruska

U.S. EPA Hazardous & Industrial Waste Div.

401 "M" St. , SW (WH-565A)

Washington, DC 20460

C. A. Phalen

Shell Development Company

P.O. Box 1380

Houston, TX 77001

Richard L. Riedel

The Standard Oil Co. 3092 Broadway

Cleveland, OH 44115

James G. Ryder

Bonar-Zimmark, Inc. Hills Place

London, U.K.

Arman Sachhathep

Dr. A. R. Tarrer

Auburn University

Chemical Engineering Dept.

Auburn, AL 36849

Karen L. Sale

Association of Petroleum Re-Refiners

2025 Penn. , Ave. , Suite 1111

Washington, DC 20006

E. J. Saunders

Caltex Petroleum Corp.

P.O. Box 61500

Dallas, TX 75261

L. Robert Sawvell

CAM-OR of Texas, Inc. (S & R Oil Company)

P.O. Box 35516

Houston, TX 77235

John W. Schulte

Lubrizol Corp.

Wickliffe, OH 44092

G. Darrell Scruggs

KTI Corp.

221 E. Walnut St. Pasadena, CA 91006

Morton Segal

Petrocon Corp.

Union Street

Modena, PA 19358

Donald J. Smolenski

General Motors Res. Laboratories

Fuels and Lubricants Dept.

Warren, MI 48090-9055

Paul Strigner

Natl. Res. Council of Canada

Fuels & Lubricants Laboratory

Ottawa, Canada K1A 0R6

N. F. Surprenant

GCA/Technology Div.

Bedford, MA 01730

Hilary Tatem

Maryland Environmental Service

60 West Street

Annapolis, MD 21401

H. E. Tiffany

API/Consultant

P.O. Box 94

Wallingford, PA 19086

Wing Tsang

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Marcel Veronneau

Environmental Waste Removal, Inc 130 Freight St. Waterbury, CT 06702

A. Vidal

Compagnie Francaise de Raffinage

Centre de Recherches

Route Postale u.27

Harfleur, France 76700

W. E. Waddey

Exxon Research and Engr. Co. P.O. Box 51

Linden, NJ 07036

Frank Wagner

Breslube Enterprises

P.O. Box 130

Brealau, Ontario NOB 1M0

James A. Walker

National Bureau of Standards

Chemical Kinetics Div.

Washington, DC 20234

Mark A. Ward

Pennzoil Products Co. 8015 St. Vincent Ave.

P.O. Box 6199

Shreveport, PA 71106

xii
Stephan J. Weeks

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 20234

Marvin Whisman

Energy Resources Ltd. Partnership

1514 Black Gap Road

Fayetteville, PA 17222

Dana C. Wilson

Association of Petroleum Re-Refiners

2025 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, DC 20006

Lowell A. Wilson

Bonar Zimmark Inc. 936 West Fullerton Ave. Addison, DE 60101

Terrance A. Wilson

Mohawk Lubircants Limited

130 Forester Street

N. Vancouver, British Columbia V7H 2M9

Canada

Richard J. Windgassen

Amoco Oil Co. P.O. Box 400

Naperville, IL 60540

Keith L. Winegar

Inter Mountain Oil Co. Box 86

Woods Gross, UT 84087

Peter G. Wright

Imperial Oil Limited

453 Christina St. P.O. Box 3022

Sarnia, Ontario N7T 7M1

Yung Chi Wu

National Bureau of Standards

Bldg. 220, Rm. A215

Washington, DC 20234

Harvey Yakowitz

National Bureau of Standards

Office of Recycled Matls.

Bldg. 221, Rm. B321

Washington, DC 20234

John J. Yates Consultant

320 S. Sunset Ave. LaGrange, IL 60525

xiii

WELCOMING REMARKS

Good Morning and welcome to the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Once again, it is a pleasure for us to be sponsoring this fourth NBS Conference on Measurements and Standards for

Recycled Oil. I also wish to publicly acknowledge the cooperation and assistance of the co- sponsors, ASTM Technical Division P on Recycled Petroleum Products, and the Association of Petroleum

Re-ref i ners

.

As I stand here addressing you, I cannot help but reflect back over the past six years since

NBS first became involved with recycled oil, and over the very substantial changes in the outlook

for oil recycling which have occured since that time. There has been Congressional legislation

eliminating tax differentials and modifying labeling requirements; one major military specification

has been changed and you will hear today about modifications to a second specification; the ASTM

Technical Division P on Recycled Petroleum Products was formed which has provided a strong alliance

between the various industries and with government; and so on. There is no longer a question about

"why recycle oil," it is now "which is the best way to recycle oil."

The improvement in acceptance of recycled oil products has also been significant. It is hoped

that with the recommended test procedures to be presented on the final day of this conference, this

acceptance of quality re-refined lubricating oil will take a further substantial step forward.

I know these improvements did not come easily. Many of you were in the forefront of that

fight, and still continue to fight the battle. I believe that NBS and its work on recycled oil has

been a help to you in this fight, and I also believe that the set of provisional tests that we are recommending for establishing the consistency of re-refined oil will provide the technical handle

necessary for the effective utilization of properly re-refined lubricating oil. It has been a long,

hard, complex job, but we are finally close to the end.

As most of you are aware, NBS funding for the Recycled Oil Program officially terminates in approximately two weeks. As a consequence, the Recycled Oil Program and the Tribochemistry Group

has been striving mightily to complete this portion of the program, and to provide the set of

provisional test procedures they will report on in this conference.

Thanks again for coming, and we look forward to the contributions you will make to advance the cause of effective oil recycling.

Raymond G. Kammer Deputy Director

National Bureau of Standards

1

REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN OF ASTM TECHNICAL DIVISION P

Technical Division P on Recycled Petroleum Products of ASTM Committee D-2 is once again pleased

and honored to be a joint sponsor of this excellent Conference on Measurements and Standards for

Recycled Oil. Clearly though, the NBS and notably two key hard working and dedicated NBS scientists, Mr. Donald Becker and Dr. Stephen Hsu, deserve a lions' s share of credit for organizing

the conference and indeed presenting a major share of the papers.

It is with a heavy heart that Division P received the news of the closure of the Office of

Recycled Materials and its Recycled Oil Program. Both have contributed so much since they were created several years ago and have so much yet to contribute that it seems difficult to envisage the

recycling world without their presence. Because Division P was so thoroughly dependent upon the

ceaseless and valuable contributions of the NBS Recycled Oil Program, in terms of manpower,

direction and laboratory service, the Division may very well suffer, especially in these times of

austerity. Who will continue to do the practical and fundamental work that NBS did on re-refined

base stocks, used oil fuels, recycled finished products and analytical methods for toxic materials?

Who will serve as the focal point for information dissemination and recycled product specifications

and test methods?

Let us hope that the membership of Division P is strong and resolute and can make up this loss. Let us hope that the APR will take a stronger hand to take up the big slack left by the departure of

NBS. Let us hope that the NBS program and as well DOE/BETC can be revived even partially to continue with their good works. It is understood that lobbying efforts may have some success here.

Thanks, then, Don and Steve and NBS for your outstanding contributions to the efforts of

Technical Division P on Recycled Petroleum Products of ASTM Committee D-2. The Division wishes you

great success in your present conference and your future activities. The Division also recognizes

the outstanding contributions of Dr. Jack Comeford, formerly of NBS and the past vice-chairman of

Division P.

Paul Strigner, Chairman,

Technical Division P (ASTM Committee D-2) on Recycled-Petroleum Products

3

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

RECENT FACTORS AFFECTING THE OIL RECYCLING INDUSTRY

James A. McBain

Executive Director

Association of Petroleum Re-Refiners

The topic — RECENT FACTORS AFFECTING THE OIL RECYCLING INDUSTRY is extremely broad, for more

has happened in the past few years that affect this industry than has happened in the previous two

decades!

Many of you here are probably involved in much of the technological aspects of oil recycling

and may not be aware of the recent history of the industry. In order to appreciate the factors

affecting us today and the outlook for the future, a glimpse of the industry's history may provide

some comparison with which to view the industry of tomorrow.

Oil recycling is not new. It dates back to the early 1900s. The industry and the use of

re-refined oil grew rapidly. By the 1960s the industry contained almost 150 companies re-refining

almost 300 million gallons of used oil per year, almost 18 percent of our nation's lubricating

needs. By the late 1970s the industry had dwindled to less than 20 companies producing less than

100 million gallons of re-refined oil per year, or less than 10 percent of our lubricant needs.

There are many reasons for the decline of the industry. A few are significant.

FIRST: The use of used oil as a road dust suppressant and as a fuel increased dramatically.

This increased competition for used oil reduced the flow of feedstock to re-refiners and led to drastically higher prices for the feedstock they were able to obtain.

SECOND: Overcapacity in the fresh oil market brought lube oil prices down sharply. This

prevented re-refiners from passing on increased costs of operation, created financial losses for many, and a shrinking of the industry.

THIRD: The improvement in automotive and lubricant technology required the development of

higher levels of re-refining technology. But the industry was already depressed, and few companies

could afford the capital expense necessary to upgrade their facilities and keep pace with the

developments in the rest of the industry. A few did, of course, but, in general, product quality

did not grow as fast as the growth in lubricant technology. This cast a stigma of product

inferiority which, although decreasing, still plagues the industry today.

The picture of an industry in change is not unique. It is no more than the process of

industrial growth. But in the case of the oil recycling industry, technological growth was stunted

by several limiting government actions.

ONE: The Department of Defense eliminated re-refined oil from its procurement list. No matter

how good a re-refined oil was, it was not even allowed to qualify under D0D specifications. Since

D0D specifications were utilized by virtually all government agencies even at the local level, the

entire governmental market was closed to the re- refining industry.

TWO: The Federal excise tax of 6 cents per gallon was imposed unfairly on re-refined

lubricants and had to be absorbed by re-refiners.

THREE: The Federal Trade Commission imposed a restrictive labeling rule in 1964. In essence,

the rule required that re-refiners state prominently on the label "Made from previously used oil"

which connotated an inferior product.

Since 1978 the picture of the industry has changed dramatically. The Department of Defense has

altered its specifications to allow re-refined oil to qualify under military specifications.

Re-refined oil has been exempted from the Federal excise tax, and the USED OIL RECYCLING ACT which

passed in 1980 eliminated the FTC labeling rule.

5
The process of bringing about change in the legislative and regulatory arenas also increased

public awareness of used oil recycling. These changes and increased public awareness have already

brought about new growth in the industry. As of today, eight new re-refining facilities either have

been or are in the process of being built, and more are expected. APR membership alone has almost

doubled.

All these legislative and regulatory changes did not come about without some effort on the part

of the industry. Through their involvement and commitment to bring about positive change and new growth to the oil recycling industry, the members of APR have made their association a dominant

force in the changes that have occurred and are expected to occur in the future.

In 1976, Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Among other things, that act required the EPA to issue regulations concerning the utilization of used oil. In 1980, the Used

Oil Recycling Act again required EPA to act. Today, almost 9 years since the passage of RCRA, EPA

has still failed to propose any regulations in this area. EPA's current target date for used oil

regulation is the fall of 1983. However, to most observers this is merely another date that EPA

will delay as they see fit. EPA's failure to act in this area frustrates the industry and the

Congress as wel 1

.

Congressman Jim Florio, House sponsor of the Used Oil Recycling Act is taking on the EPA again.

He has recently introduced HR 6307 which would once again require EPA to act as soon as possible in this area. Mr. Florio has asked for and has received APR support in these efforts.

On another legislative front, it is possible that we will be successful in getting the Congress

to refund the NBS Program on Recycled Oil for another year. We were successful in getting the House Appropriations Committee to refund one million dollars for the program in FY 1983. If we are successful in a similar manner in the Senate, this program could continue.

In the area of public education exciting things are happening as well.

FIRST: The Muscular Dystrophy Association has selected used oil collection as one of its

campaigns. MDA will urge the public via various media sources to return their used oil to collection centers. Currently they are conducting a test of this program in Texas in cooperation with one

of our members, CAM-OR of TEXAS. MDA gets a percentage of the price paid for the used oil that is returned and collected from collection sites participating in the MDA program, which helps to fund

their activities. If successful, the MDA program will spread throughout the country. MDA can reach

almost 98 percent of the television viewing public. The benefits are obvious, both to MDA and the cause of public education on the issue of oil recycling.

SECOND: The National Association of Oil Recovery Coordinators has recently decided to join the APR as a separate section of the association. NAORC is made up of government officials responsible

for establishing oil recovery programs in their states. The potential for cooperation among the states through NAORC is great. We are hopeful that a coordinated effort between the industry and

government officials at all levels will lead to increased oil recovery and enhance the growth of the

industry.

THREE: The recent International Conference on used oil recovery in Las Vegas has generated

more interest in used oil from a wide spectrum of industrial and private enterprise. The conference

drew almost 700 participants, with delegates from over 30 nations in attendance. The next con- ference will be held in November 1983, again in Las Vegas. We are looking forward to an even higher

level of participation from many nations around the world.

Finally, a unique change has occurred within the APR itself. It has opened its membership to a broader representation of the entire oil recycling industry.

If the past three years were positive, the next few years should prove to be even more

dramatic. Technology will experience advancement, and re-refining equipment will become more sophisticated. New companies will be entering the field and more of industry will be discovering

the hidden asset in the reuse of oil.

Whatever the changes, APR will be involved, actively working on behalf of the industry. For those of you here who are not yet members of the association, I would urge you to seriously consider

membership. Working together, we can further shape the legislative and regulatory environment in which the entire industry can prosper.

6
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

THE CALIFORNIA USED OIL RECYCLING PROGRAM

Guenther W. Moskat

Used Oil Recycling

State of California

Solid Waste Management Board

Used oil in California is classified as a hazardous waste material subject to the regulatory

overview of many agencies. Because of its classification as such, used oil is regulated by the

State Department of Health Services (DOHS), and subject to manifesting and vehicle registration

requirements; the Air Resources Board (ARB), who regulates emission levels and hydrocarbon emissions

from processing plants and fuel oil burners; the Regional Water Quality Control Boards who monitor

oil disposal operations; the California Highway Patrol, who performs vehicle inspections of the

hauling industry; and the State Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB), who regulates used oil

recycling activities in the state.

My presentation will focus upon the latter area of used oil recycling, and the program

California has developed to effectively monitor the disposition of over 50.6 million gallons of used

oil collected and recycled each year in the state. In addition, I will discuss the efforts the state has made to promote the concept of oil recycling through public awareness and marketing

activities.

To understand California's used oil efforts, I would like to provide you with a background into

how California's oil recycling program got started and the directives issued by the State Legislature

to assure the maximum utilization of recovery were undertaken.

As early as 1977, the Legislature enacted the California Used Oil Recycling Act. This act basically did 2 things: 1) it prohibited the indiscriminate disposal of used oil, and 2) it required the SWMB to implement a used oil recycling program on or before Jan. 1, 1979. Because the

SWMB already was engaged in overseeing recycling activities associated with other materials such as metal, aluminum, glass and newsprint, the Board was appointed as the lead agency to carry-out these

five functions:

1) adopt rules requiring oil retailers to post signs indicating the location of a nearby used oil collection facility;

2) establish, maintain and publicize a used oil information center to explain laws and regulations

governing used oil and to inform holders of quantities of used oil on how and where the used

oil may be properly disposed;

3) encourage the establishment of voluntary used oil collection and recycling programs;

4) encourage the procurement of re-refined automotive and industrial oils for all state and local uses, when prices were found to be competitive with new oils produced for the same purposes;

and

,

5) adopt rules and regulations governing the operations of all used oil haulers, collection

facilities, recyclers and transfer facilities.

I would now like to discuss each of these functions in detail:

First, in order to collect data on the volume of used oil collected and processed each year in the state, the Board was directed to establish rules and regulations governing the operations of all used oil haulers, collection facility operators, transfer facility operators, and recyclers.

Included in these regulations is the requirement that all industry members be registered by the

Board, provide receipts for all oil transactions, and submit an annual report each February 1,

describing the amounts of oil handled during the calender year.

7
Included in the registration process is the requirement that all operators be registered as hazardous waste haulers with the DOHS who, as I mentioned, oversees hazardous waste activities in the state.

As of this time, there are over 130 haulers registered to collect and transport used oil in California. The size of these firms range from simple 1 truck "Mom and Pop" operations to large

scale interstate carriers, with fleets of up to 40-50 vehicles.

Along with the hauling industry, there are over 17 recyclers of used oil located in California.

This figure includes 7 re-refiners, 1 processor of asphalt, 1 road oil processing plant, and 8 fuel

oil processors.

The data which is submitted each year to the Board includes volumetric data, addresses, vehicle

license numbers and plant capacities, and these are all maintained by the Board in a computer

system. This system was developed in 1980 and incorporates state of the art equipment which the

Board feels is necessary to keep pace with the ever increasing activities of the used oil industry.

The Board uses the information kept on the used oil industry to examine areas of the state where used oil collection is not readily available, and presents this data to the industry to maximize recovery efforts in these sometimes isolated areas. The system maintained by the Board is also distributed to neighboring states to assist in identifying used oil trafficking patterns in the

western states area.

With its registration system in place, the Board moved to establish a used oil information

center, designed to explain laws and regulations governing used oil activities to industry members,

the public, and other governmental agencies. In order to effectively provide for easy access to the

information center by these various entities, the Board established a toll-free information line for

use within the state. As a clearinghouse, the Board receives over 1,400 telephone calls each year

regarding questions on the state's used oil program.

In addition to the establishment of its toll-free information line, the Board also maintains a technical assistance line on a non-toll free basis, where individuals may call to receive information on more technical issues related to used oil recycling activities in the state. Approximately

1,500 calls are received on this line each year.

This successful information system was in response to the second directive of the legislature

and is regarded as a vital link in the exchange of important information among persons interested in promoting the concept of used oil recycling in the state.

Having established a monitoring and reporting system for the industry and having developed an information center on used oil regulations, the Board next developed specific regulations dealing

with techniques to encourage recycling activities by the public. First in this context was the idea

that individuals who purchase new oil would be most likely to need information on the locations of

nearby used oil collection stations. By providing this information, it was felt that used oil could

be directed towards these centers and eventually recycled instead of being indiscriminantly

di sposed.

To assist in providing this information to the public, the Board developed regulations which

required retail store operators selling over 500 gallons of new oil annually, to post a sign in a readily visible location informing the general public of station locations. Signs were provided to these stores and are available upon request. We found that some stores are doing a good job of

posting these signs. Some are doing an adequate job. And unfortunately, some do a rather poor job

of posting signs where the oil is displayed.

To provide the retail store operator with a location that can be printed on the signs, the

Board developed a directory with the location of over 2,300 collection stations located in the

state. The operator merely locates the closest location to his/her business and prints the name on the sign provided by the Board. In order to assure that signs are properly posted as required, the

Board has had to periodically inform the retail industry of this requirement. In 1983, this will

become a priority issue with the Board.

Another of the directives the Board was required to pursue under the used oil act, involved the

creation of voluntary used oil recycling programs and collection activities. In order to spur on

8
interest and participation in used oil recycling by the public, the Board next had to develop a public education and outreach program. To provide a focal point to its public awareness program,

the Board adopted an already existing used oil program operated by the California Automobile

Association entitled, "Save Oil America, Recycle" or "SOAR" for short. Using the SOAR theme as its

public awareness element title, the Board set about obtaining the cooperation of service stations,

shops, garages and recycling center operators, who would volunteer to provide their locations as used oil collection points for used oil deposited by do-it-yourself oil changers. The name and

location of these centers were used to form the directory of over 2,300 used oil centers made

available to the retail store operators previously mentioned, and to the public calling the Board on

its toll-free number. Most of these locations are service stations as well as some recycling

centers, all 80 Sears automotive shops in California and all WoolCo Automotive Centers.

Each collection center is also provided a sign by the Board identifying it as a SOAR "Used Oil

Collector". Presently, the Board has proceeded with development of new signs, and has updated its

list of participating stations and maintains their location and names of the Board's computer

system.

In addition to establishing its voluntary collection system within the state, the Board has

developed radio public service announcements and periodic press releases in order to inform the

public of the need to recycle used oil. The Board feels that the key to an effective used oil recycling program is the need to provide constant media exposure to the public. Further, continuous

communication between the parent agency and the SOAR collection stations is also regarded as extremely important in keeping interest in the program at a high level. As 1983 approaches, the

Board will be actively involved in increasing its activities in the area of public awareness.

Thus far, the incentives I have mentioned to encourage public involvement in used oil recycling

have dealt primarily with exposure factors such as sign posting at retail outlets, SOAR stations

located in communities in the state, and public service announcements. These exposure factors rely

wholly on the public's good conscience and do not actually provide monetary or economic incentives

to recover the approximately 13 million gallons of used oil estimated to be generated by the

do-it-yourself oil changers each year in California.

The Board explored the possibility of a system which allows a credit or "chip" towards purchase

of new products whenever used oil is returned to redemption centers. This idea, although extremely

difficult to implement, is still being explored by the Board. Already, contact has been made with

firms who may be able to assist in this concept.

Basically, the goal of California's oil recycling program is to provide for the maximum

recovery of used oil at the least amount of risk to the environment. What has developed is a closed

loop system in which retail stores, along with the Board's toll-free line, can direct consumers to the location of a used oil collection station, where it is then collected by certified haulers and

taken to a recycler for processing.

The net effect of the used oil program has been the recorded effective recovery of over 50.6

million gallons of used automotive and industrial oils in 1981. This figure is well ahead of

projections made in 1977, and this volume represents approximately 51 percent of the total volume of

used oil estimated generated each year in the state.

I would now like to list for you the approximate volumes of used oil recycled in 1981 and the

end products which they were used for:

- 33.1 million gallons were processed into fuel oil (65%)

6.3 million gallons were sold as a road oil/asphalt (13%)

4.2 million gallons were re-refined into motor and industrial oils (8%)

2.6 million gallons lost in processing (5%)

3.5 million gallons were stored in inventory (7%); and

1.0 million gallons went into other uses (2%)

In addition to these volumes which were recovered and recycled, the Board estimated that over

12.1 million gallons of oil were disposed of both at on and off site disposal facilities in California during the year. Combining this total with the 50.6 million gallons of used oil

recycled, the Board estimates that over 62.7 million gallons out of a total 98.4 million gallons were identified in one form or another.

9
As the Board coordinates its reporting activities more closely with the DOHS and the ARB in California, it is envisioned that a greater volume of oil will be identified so that recovery

efforts in the state can be maximized.

The 50.6 million gallons of used oil recycled in 1981 represents a 14.2 million gallon increase

in the volume of oil recycled in 1980 and has been attributed to a host of factors. Perhaps primary

in this case has been the increased demand by fuel burners for used oil in the state. Finding it

profitable to mix small volumes of used oil with primary stocks of fuel oils, companies in California have steadily created a situation where the street price of used oil has nearly tripled

since early 1978. For example, used oil prices have jumped from 5-15<t/gal. in 1978 to as high as 15-45<t/gal. In 1981, some areas in the state are reporting prices as high as 50-60<t/gal . It is estimated that prices and demand will remain high for the foreseeable future.

While the predominance of used oil was processed into fuel oil, it is expected that this trend

will be somewhat balanced out in 1982-83, due to the recent start-up of a large re-refinery in Southern California and the proposed start-up of another facility in early 1983. Both of these

operations will be involved in the processing of used oil into lube stocks and are expected to take

up a large share of the feedstock supply generated in California each year.

Finally, I would like to address the last topic of my presentation: that of California's

attempt to encourage the procurement of products made from re-refined basestocks.

As part of its directive under the used oil recycling act, the SWMB was assigned the task of

encouraging the "procurement of re-refined automotive and industrial oils for all state and local uses, whenever such re-refined oils are available at prices competitive with those of new oil

produced for the same purpose." 1

Since adoption of the Act in 1977, the Board has been sucessful in identifying technologies

used by the re-refining industry to produce quality lube products. Much of the data reviewed

suggested that these products and technologies match and even exceed quality standards adopted for new oil products. However, although sufficient technological data exists suggesting product

reliability and integrity, manufacturers and distributors of re-refined lube products have not reached their potential in marketing their products in California.

The SWMB, in its compilation of annual report data submitted by the used oil industry, has

found that only 8 percent of the used oil recycled in 1981 counts towards use in the manufacture of new lube products. Economic constraints, brought on by high prices paid for used oil by fuel oil processors, may have kept the percentage of oils processed into re-refined products at a minimum.

In an attempt to assist the re-refining industry in California in marketing its products, and

at the same time meeting its requirements under the used oil recycling act, the SWMB examined the

potential for opening the state petroleum procurement market to include the purchase of products

made from re-refined sources. It was envisioned that removing procurement barriers might open a new market to re-refined products and that any state procurement would generate enough interest at the

private level to initiate purchasing of these types of products statewide.

In its initial examination of the State's procurement policy, it was found that all petroleum

products purchased by the state had to have been subjected to a series of technical tests, including

actual bench testing of products to determine anti-wear and additive characteristics. In addition,

state procurement policy also dictated (1) the satisfactory passage of engine sequence tests by

products made from re-refined sources and inclusion of the product on a federal qualifying products

test (QPL) and (2) a consistent quality control program backed by laboratory and trained personnel.

Previously only 2 products made from re-refined sources have been included on the federal QPL, with

no California firm listed. Further, no re-refined oil products were used in state petroleum

purchase contracts nor were firms specializing in the production and distribution of these products

allowed to bid on state petroleum contracts.

i Cal i form' a public resources code, section 3465(D)

10
In order to respond to increased industry requests to have the state of California initiate the

purchase of re-refined oils, the SWMB has begun a process to provide grant monies to a firm(s) in California to assist in getting its products placed on the Federal QPL and thus allowing it to be

included in the petroleum bid process conducted by the state each year.

While the recipient of grant monies through this grant process will not be assured of a contract to supply the state of California with petroleum products, the recipient will at least be

allowed the opportunity to competitively bid on state petroleum contracts under rules and procedures

adopted by the State Office of Procurement. The Board anticipates this may become a major step in pioneering the widespread use and approval of re-refined oils in California.

As a second step in the process to encourage the use of re-refined products in California, the

Board has been examining possible financing options available to individuals interested in construction activities. Although the Board itself does not administer bonds or loans, it has worked with

the appropriate state/federal agencies to examine possible financing options and has made this

information available to California industries.

The impact of substantially larger volumes of re-refined oils entering the states lubricating

market will undoubtedly bring about concerns of how the state will monitor product quality at the

retail level. Already the state Department of Food and Agriculture, Measurements and Standards

Division, is involved in an enforcement program designed to protect consumers against fradulant

product claims. This program oversees oil products derived from virgin and re-refined sources and

should well be able to monitor the projected increase in volumes of re-refined oils entering the states marketplace. Jim Johnson from that Department will follow my presentation with a detailed

description of California's efforts in product quality control.

I would like to conclude by saying that California's used oil recycling program has been

relatively successful in promoting the concept of used oil recovery. Back in 1978 when California's

program was first initiated by the legislature, little activity was occurring in recovery efforts.

Street prices for used oil were at about a dime per gallon, and over-all recovery figures at about

28 million gallons annually. At the present time volumes and prices have increased dramatically.

The Board feels its efforts have had a major influence in the efforts of the industry and public to recover this valuable resource. It is a big disappointment to the state, that just at the time when

recovery efforts are beginning to increase both in California and nationally, that the efforts

conducted by the NBS Recycled Oil Program will be terminated. California has expressed its desire

to the administration to keep this important program going, and I only wish our efforts would have

been fruitful. Yet despite this setback, I would like to state that the state of California will

continue to actively promote the concept of used oil recovery and will strive to continue it's

efforts to make used oil recycling a significant part of this country's energy program.

11

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

THE FATE OF HAZARDOUS WASTES IN USED OIL RECYCLING

Dennis W. Brinkman

DOE/BETC, Box 1398

Bartlesville, OK 74003

and

Paul Fennel ly and Norman Suprenant

GCA Corporation

213 Burlington Road

Bedford, MA 01730

While it is known that used lubricating oils often contain one or more of the EPA priority pollutants, and it can be shown that this contamination frequently is introduced

after the oil has been taken out of service, very little documentation exists on what

happens to these hazardous species when the used oil is dumped, burned raw, or recycled.

GCA Corporation has been working under contract to the U.S. Department of Energy, Office

of Industrial Programs to (1) determine which hazardous contaminants tend to show up frequently in used oils, and (2) experimentally demonstrate the fate of these contaminants

under number of scenarios. The scenarios under examination include dumping the used oil

down a sewer, road oiling, open burning (no controls), reprocessing for fuel, and

re-refining for use as lubricating oil basestock using several different methods.

Fourteen used oils gathered from around the country were analyzed for priority

pollutants and other contaminants. Four of these were combined and the composite spiked

with additional contaminants of interest to form a standard oil. The standard oil was

then used in the experimental investigations of the various scenarios. In each case a mass balance approach was used to show where each contaminant emerged or was converted to something else. Because chemical analysis of samples is still in progress, the results

shown in this paper are not complete and some data may be subject to further verification

and possible modification.

1. Introduction

The presence of hazardous materials in used oil is a problem of growing concern. Many

contaminants now finding their way into the used oil streams do not originate during the lubricant's

use, but are introduced during collection and storage as other substances accidentally or deliberately are blended with the oil. The increasing incidence of significant levels of a wide

variety of recognized hazardous species in used oil 1 present the recycler with the dual problem of

preserving worker health during handling and of needing extensive analytical capabilities to monitor

the material as it passes through his site.

This study, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Industrial Programs and

described here, documents the hazardous (and some nonhazardous) species found in 14 used oil samples

collected from throughout the U.S. in early 1982, and then presents experimental results which

determine where each of the species emerges or is destroyed during a variety of typical used oil

scenarios. Although chemical analyses of waste streams from some scenarios are still in progress,

available data identifying the pathways for certain contaminants are shown for recycling options

such as dumping, road oiling and several re-refining methods. Additional data for these and other

scenarios, notably combustion, and the implications of the data will be presented in a final report

on this study. The final report will also include the results of analyses of additional waste oil

samples and a comparison of the result of a sampling and analysis program at a commercial re- refining facility with results of computer simulations of the fate of key contaminants as they pass through the re-refining process.

Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

13
2. Laboratory Analysis of Used Oils

The identification and prioritization of hazardous contaminants in used oil was the first major

objective. Contaminant concentration data available in the literature were combined and weighted

with health effects data (using an EPA method for estimating the hazard potential of process and waste streams) [2] to prepare an initial priority list. Since this only considers health effects,

corrosivity and flammability were factored in separately. This information helped focus our analysis of actual used oil samples.

To augment the limited database and to provide a meaningful basis for experimentally examining

the fate of hazardous and nonhazardous contaminants in used oil during recycling scenarios, samples

of waste oil were obtained from various suppliers across the country. Most of the 14 samples

analyzed came from organizations engaged in the collection and recycling of used oils. The waste

oils were sampled by the suppliers and shipped to GCA in 55-gallon drums for analysis.

The results of the analyses for physical properties, inorganic elements, and trace organics are shown in tables 1, 2, and 3, respectively. As a result of these analyses, oils numbered 1, 5, 6,

and 10 were blended to provide the base for a "representative" used oil to be studied in the

simulations. Based on these analyses and literature citations such as those provided in references

[3-4], the following spikes were added to this blended base at a level of about 90 ppm: (1)

2,4,6-trichlorophenol , (2) N-nitrosodiphenylamine, and (3) the pesticide, 2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl

)

-1,1-dichloroethylene (4-4'-DDE). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were also added to the composite

oil at a level of 40 ppm.

The used oil samples were analyzed for 27 elements by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Emission

Spectrometry (ICAP). The average lead content was 1310 ug/g of oil, a value appreciably lower than

values of about 10,000 ug/g reported in studies conducted in the early 1970s [5], as would be

expected with the declining use of leaded gasoline. Several preparation modes were studied at the

outset of this analytical activity (dry ashing at 550 °C for 24 hours, dry ashing with magnesium

nitrate flux, and low temperature plasma ashing), with excellent agreement obtained for almost all elements. The data presented in table 2 were obtained from ICAP analysis of samples prepared by low

temperature ashing.

The organic analyses were much more complex than the inorganic analyses. Sample preparation

techniques were tailored for each organic species, and an extensive quality control effort was required for compound identification and quantification. The measurement of volatile organic

compounds has been particularly troublesome, and is the subject of extensive and current methods

development by the EPA [6,7]. The data confirm the presence of chlorinated solvents and volatile

organics such as benzene and toluene in most samples of used oil. Polycyclic organic materials

(POMs) are also present as anticipated. PCBs at low levels were found in 2 of the 14 samples at detection limits of 0.1 to 0.5 ug/g, depending on the level of interferences present.

Correlative comparisons between the presence of specific hazardous materials and more general

analytical data are difficult to discern from the data. For example, although sample No. 6 shows

reasonable correlation between chlorine content and detected chlorinated solvents (67 percent of

chlorine as chlorinated solvents), the amount of chlorine in chlorinated solvents represents only 12 percent of the total measured in sample No. 5. No other source of chlorine was identified by the

analytical procedures. Relationships among other factors such as volatile compound content, flash

point, ASTM distillation, and total chromatographic organics are similarly obscure. Thus, simple

physical tests do not seem to offer much promise as screens for hazardous wastes.

3. Simulated Disposal/Recycling Scenarios

Once a uniform "representative" contaminated used oil had been generated by blending and

spiking, it was experimentally treated under a variety of conditions intended to simulate disposal

or recycling pathways. Each known contaminant was monitored to see where it emerged or was

destroyed. Material balances were used to assess pathways and overall recovery rates. Although

material balance closure was good-to-excellent in the cause of inorganic elements, recovery and

accuracy were appreciably less for many of the organic contaminants, particularly the volatiles.

14
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17
3.1. Disposal into Sewer Systems

Based on the results of a recent national survey [8], it is known that a significant portion of

used oil generated by individuals who change their own automotive oil ends up in municipal sewer

systems. Although oils from other sources, because of the high cost of proper collection and

removal, also undoubtedly find their way to the sewer system, discarded automotive oil can account

for a major fraction of the sewer system hydrocarbon loading. In at least one location it has been

reported that the petroleum in urban runoff resembles used crankcase oil in composition [9].

Treatment processes currently planned for industrial sources of hydrocarbons will, as they come onstream, further accentuate the significance of used lubricating oil as a major source of hydrocarbons in urban runoff.

The concentrations of hydrocarbons in urban source systems have been measured at levels ranging

from 1 to 10 ug/g [10]. These levels are slightly lower but consistent with values of 16 pg/g and

40 pg/g calculated from estimates of the amount of used oil dumped in sewers [8] and other estimates

[11] of nationwide flows in combined sewers and storm sewers, respectively, assuming no loss of oil to walls or sediment.

Simulation of the sewer disposal scenario involved laboratory determinations of the distribution of the oil when mixed with water and suspended particulate, followed by analysis of the water

fraction. In agreement with other studies [10] most (approximately 90 percent) of the used oil

constituents were associated with the particulate matter in the water. Because efficient control

technologies for the particulate matter (and free oil) can be implemented at treatment facilities,

the constituents in the water soluble fraction were considered to be of major importance for this

study.

The water soluble fraction of the representative waste oil consists of a number of organic

compounds as shown in table 4. The concentration of these compounds are those resulting from the

conditions of laboratory simulation; actual concentrations will be dependent upon sewer loading,

dilution and other factors. Assuming the distribution of constituents remains unchanged from that

found in the laboratory, and assuming further that the total influent organic loading is as shown in

table 4, the discharge of waste lubricants should not prove harmful to the functioning of Publicly

Owned Treatment Works (POTWs). Total loadings are well below 100 pg/g, a value for the oil and

grease content of treatment system influent recommended as an upper limit to prevent serious

treatment system degradation [12]. Further, pollutants such as those identified in the laboratory

study and shown in table 4 are reportedly effectively treated by POTWs using a variety of secondary

and tertiary treatments [13].

Unfortunately, less than 25 percent of the urban population is served by combined sewer systems

using effective secondary treatments [11,14]. The remaining 75 percent of the urban population is served by storm sewer systems or live in unsewered areas [11]. Storm water discharge from storm

sewer systems will generally receive no treatment whatsoever. Because the concentrations of some of

the contaminants shown in table 4, notably phenol, exceed EPA suggested concentration goals for stream discharge, sewer disposal of used oil represents a practice which is potentially harmful to the large percentage of the urban population living in areas where storm water control is not practiced and to other populations which are downstream of storm water discharge points.

3.2. Road Oiling

Used oil is often applied to rural dirt roads as a dust suppressant during dry summer periods.

The fate of constituents in the used oil is dependent upon a multitude of factors relating to soil,

meteorology, road traffic, and oil properties. A prior EPA study [15] had reported that only about

one percent of the oil applied to dirt roads over extended periods (>12 years) is retained on the

road surface. This same study further determined experimentally that approximately 10 percent of

the oil is lost through evaporation and that 10-20 percent of the oil is lost through rainfall

runoff with most runoff occurring during the first rains following application. Although no data were available it was suggested that other factors such as biodegradation and reentrai nment of oil

coated particles by road traffic could account for a large fraction of the long term oil transport

from the road surface. Direct penetration of oil beneath the first few millimeters of road surface

did not appear to be a major factor.

IB
Table 4. Contaminant levels in aqueous phase of 1-1 oil/water mixture

Sampl

e

Composite Aqueous

oil phase

Contaminant (ug/g) (mg/1)

Organics

Vol ati 1 es

1,1,1-Trichloroethane 800 <1

Trichloroethylene 3000 <1 Tetrachloroethylene 110 <1 Benzene 75 <1 Toluene 2800 <1

Semi vol ati les

Phenol 11 11.0

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 40 2.0

N-Nitrosodi phenyl amine 116 1.0

Naphthalene 440 1.4

Phenanthrene/Anthracene 150 <0.1

Pyrene 62 <0.1

Benzo(a)pyrene <10 <0.1

Pesticide 4-4'-DDE 94 0.5

PCB (Arochlor 1260) 34 <0.1

Inorganics

Arsenic 8.1 <0.03

Barium 61.4 0.01

Calcium 986 3.9

Chromium 7.7 <0.01

Copper 33.8 <0.01

Iron 214 2.3

Lead 1090 <0.02

Magnesium 212 1.63

Manganese 14.2 0.01

Nickel 3.7 <0.01

Sodium 257 58.3

Zinc 735 0.26

Our work, which extends the scope of the above study, involves examining the fate of specific

constituents, primarily the organics, found in used oil following application to a simulated road

bed and exposure to outside weather conditions. Two solids were used to construct the road bed:

(1) soil taken from a dirt road maintained by a local community; and (2) the same soil mixed with 5 percent fine clay. Oil was applied at a suggested level [15] of 0.05 gallons/ft2 [2] and the panel was weathered for 3 days in a ventilated area at approximately 100 °F to remove most of the

volatiles (12 percent loss due to evaporation) before being placed outside for exposure to natural

elements. During the month of exposure, rainfall occurred on 8 days with appreciable (greater than

1" ) rainfall occurring on 2 days.

Rainfall runoff from the bed and that transmitted through the 6" deep road bed were collected

and analyzed. Soil samples from various bed depths were also taken and analyzed for total organics

by extraction with methylene chloride followed by gravimetric analysis. (Essentially 100 percent

recovery of the applied oil was achieved by the extraction procedure used.)

19
The results indicate that in addition to oil lost by evaporation another 3-5 percent is lost by

runoff. Although measured runoff loss was somewhat less than the 10-20 percent found in the earlier

study [15], the observations noted below were quantitatively similar for this and the earlier study.

The oil lost through water transmitted through the soil was very small, of the order of 0.04

percent. Almost all of the oil left in the soil was retained within a few millimeters of the

surface. The oil concentration measured at the surface was 35,000 ug/g; the concentration fell to a value of about 1,000 ug/g at a depth of 1 cm. Below a depth of 1 cm the organic content of the soil was indistinguishable from the background level of the untreated soil (^100 ug/g).

The used oil constituents in the runoff were associated primarily with soil that was entrained

and carried from the surface to the collection vessel. The water-soluble fraction, present at a concentration of only a few mg/liter, represented only a few percent of the oil lost by runoff.

Results of the laboratory analysis of the oil lost by runoff from the test panel are not surprising. The constituents found are similar to those present in the oil (stripped of volatile

components), as would be expected if the loss is due primarily to physical processes such as flotation and movement out of the bed of oil coated particulate. The water-soluble compounds found

are similar to those shown in table 4 and are largely phenols. Volatile compounds such as the

chlorinated hydrocarbons are present only in trace amounts.

3.3. Burned As Fuel

Used oil has approximately the same heating value as virgin petroleum fuel (15,000 to 20,000

Btu/lb). Thus, using this lower priced resource as a substitute fuel or fuel extender (blended with

virgin fuel) is economically attractive. However, significant uncertainty exists concerning

potential air emissions of pollutants and associated operational or maintenance problems [16].

In this study waste oil was burned in two small space heating units (a 250,000 Btu/h airatomizing and a 250,000 Btu/h vaporizing unit) and a larger commercial boiler operating at an input

load of 7,000,000 Btu/h. Samples of combustion flue gas were collected and analyzed using EPA recommended procedures.

The larger commercial unit was tested during combustion of a waste automotive lubricating oil.

This same oil (Sample No. 14 in tables 1, 2, and 3) was used in one series of tests of the small

space heaters; the composite oil blend was then used for a second series of tests of these smaller

units. The results of the testing of the boiler show that particulate emissions were roughly twice

as high as values normally obtained for similar size units burning No. 6 fuel oil. Further, the

elemental lead flue gas loading of about 50 mg/m3 is far greater than the value of 1 mg/m3 or less

that would be emitted from a comparable boiler burning No. 6 fuel oil. At the observed level of

flue gas emission the need for air modeling and monitoring studies is indicated to establish the

contribution of emissions to ambient levels of lead. The current air quality standard for lead [17]

is 1.5 ug/m3 over a 90-day average. Because of dilution in ambient air, as well as because of the

90-day averaging time, a boiler emitting 50 mg/m3 of lead can meet the air quality standard under

proper conditions.

The study of combustion of waste oils in the smaller space heating units gave results

consistent with the findings of a recent EPA study [18]. The air-atomizing burner produced far more particulate (approximately 30X) than the vaporizing burner, with roughly a corresponding increase in the emissions of lead and other trace metals. Lead emissions were measured in the EPA study at 1,600 ug/m3 for the vaporizing burner and 141,000 ug/m3 for the atomizing burner. The direct

introduction of the trace elements into the combustion chamber by the air-atomizing burner is an obvious cause of the higher particulate and elemental emission levels shown by this burner design.

The EPA study reported that the vaporizing burner produced slightly more organics than the airatomizing unit and that some of the organic chemicals are potentially hazardous [2]. POMs were particularly prevalent in the vaporizing pot residue. Similar organic analyses are now being

conducted at GCA. Emphasis also is being placed on determining how well both units effectively

destroy the chlorinated compounds present in the representative oil, or added as spikes, although

the detection limits of analysis are not low enough to demonstrate destruction efficiencies greater

than 99 percent.

3.4. Reprocessing to Generate a Fuel

With a minimum degree of processing, most used oils can be reprocessed to provide a fuel having

properties approaching most specifications for a No. 5 or No. 6 boiler fuel. Up until now, the

question of how well this minimal processing also removed hazardous wastes had not been addressed.

20
In our studies we simulated (1) gravity settling, (2) centri f ugation , (3) filtration and (4) clay

contacting using the waste oil composite and the dehydrated waste oil composite as test oils. The

simulations, as conducted, indicate that pretreatment steps are of limited value. Gravity settling

and filtration were not effective; possibly the samples provided to GCA by the suppliers were essentially feedstocks that had already undergone sedimentation. Some separation of metals, as shown in table 5, was achieved by centri fugati on at 10,000 g and approximately 200 °F, and clay

contacting of the dehydrated oil at approximately 200 °C followed by filtration did achieve some limited removal of components. The high level of removal of certain elements (e.g., aluminum, iron,

chromium and nickel) during centri gugati on suggests that these elements are present as wear particles of moderately large particle diameter. While simple physical treatments generally did

little to enhance the cleanliness of the used lubricating oil we studied, the existence of a number

of effective proprietary treatments is not precluded.

3.5. Re-Refining to Produce Lube Oils

By separately simulating several individual generic process steps, it is possible to estimate

the fate of a particular contaminant within any number of specific technologies by combining the

steps in the appropriate sequence. Obviously, differences in exact conditions will change the

results somewhat, but a good first approximation should be possible from the data provided.

The generic steps investigated are presented in figure 1. Using the stream numbers provided in this figure, tables 6 and 7 provide a matrix presentation of the fate of some of the hazardous

species studied. Table 6 provides quantitative data concerning the distribution of contaminants in the composite oil as it undergoes dehydration and light end removal. As shown in the table,

Table 5. Results of separation by centrifugation, ug/g

Composite oil Sludge Percent

(ug/g) (pg/g) Separation

Al umi num 30.9 475 46

Arsenic 8.1 150 56 Bari urn 61.4 583 28

Cal ci urn 986 6170 19 Chromi urn 7.7 151 59 Copper 33.8 162 14 Iron 214 4260 60 Magnesi urn 212 1080 15 Manganese 14.2 91 19 Nickel 3.7 162 131

Lead 1090 10 120 28 Sodium 257 436 5 Zinc 735 4320 18

a Percent seoaration = Sludge (pg/g) x 0.03 . Percent separation Q Composite oi1 (ug/g) * J- uu

the material balance for the elements is excellent; however, the organic compound closure is much

more variable. The elemental material balances, as shown in table 7, becomes more variable as sludge and multiphase waste streams are included (see Process C), most likely reflecting problems in sampling rather than analysis. Although data for some waste streams are not yet available, product

quality as measured by the removal of trace metals and organic impurities from product streams is considerably enhanced by all of the process combinations shown in figure 1. Obviously, product

quality and process economics, as well as other factors such as the number and hazard of waste

streams, must be considered in selecting a re-refining system.

21
4. Comments and Conclusions

Some interim conclusions based on our analyzes of representative oils and experimental studies

of recycling scenarios are presented below. A complete and detailed assessment of all data will be

presented upon completion of this ongoing program, with completion now scheduled for February 1983.

4.1. Contaminant Pathways

The used oil analyses seem to indicate that many hazardous contaminants are natural

contaminants introduced through use, such as lead from leaded gasoline. Another possible example of

contamination resulting from use could be POMs formed during gasoline combustion and transferred to the crankcase oil, as proposed by other investigators [1,19]. In addition to natural sources of

contamination, other contaminants such as cleaning solvent and antifreeze are commonplace in used

oil, apparently as a result of waste storage and collection procedures. Deliberate addition of

other wastes to the oil is also obviously a possibility that has been determined to be a reality in

several instances.

Table 6. Results of re-refining scenarios: dehydration and light end removal system

Contaminant, ug/g

(Percent of System Input)

Stream Identification Number*

(Relative Flow Rate, Weight) 12 3 4 (100) (8.8) (7.2) (84)

Ms V*1 A 1 ^

Bal ance

(Percent

Recovery)

u i y di i (Co

V U 1 aHd U t 11 dcC3

-L

1 T 1 — T^i rh 1 AVftQ t ha no , 1 , 1 IT ICniUTUcLriallc 800(100) 140(2) 6661(60) <4(-)

Trichl oroethyl ene 3000(100) 190(1) 33 780(81) <4(-) 82

Tetrachl oroethyl ene 110(100) 30(2) 1700(111) <4(-) 113 Benzene 75(100) 30(4) 1090(104) <4(-) 108

Tol uene 2800(100) 150(<1) 20 450(49) <20(-) 49

Semi vol ati les

Trichlorophenol 40(100) <20(-) 87(15) 44(92) 107

N-Nitrosodi phenyl ami ne 116(100) <20(-) 123(8) 98(71) 79

Naphthal ene 440(100) <8(-) 4190(69) 54(10) 79

Phenanthrene/Anthracene 150(100) <8(-) 82(4) 260(145) 149

Pyrene 62(100) <8(-) <13(") 28(38) 38

Benzo(a)pyrene <10(100) <8(-) <13(") <io(-)

Pesticide 4-4' -DDE 94(100) <8(-) <13(") 68(61) 61 PCB (Arochlor 1260) 34(100) <8(-) <5(") 43(106) 106

Inorganics

Arsenic 8.1(100) <0.03(- ) <l-0(-) 9.7(101) 101

Chromium 7.7(100) <0.01(- ) <o.i(-) 9.5(104) 104

Copper 33.8(100) <0.01(- ) <0.1(-) 36.4(90) 90 Iron 214(100) <0.01(- ) <0.3(-) 281(110) 110

Magnesi urn 212(100) <0.02(- ) <0.15(-) 239(95) 95

Lead 1090(100) <0.02(- ) 11.5(<1) 1250(96) 96

Zinc 735(100) <0.01(- ) <0.35(-) 816(93) 93

a Stream identification

1 Composite oil

2 Water from dehydration

3 Light ends

4 Stock for further processing.

For system material balance 1=2+3+4

22
COMPOS ! TE FEEDSTOCK

Q STREAM NUMBER

PROCESS 10

Figure 1. Re-refining to produce lube oils.

23
Table 7. Trace element material balances for re-refining processes,

percent recovery

Process ID

a

Trace Element A B C D

Hrbc m C i m 3 1 73/ o

RD aa v l t im 1 1 UIM qe; 103 91

Pal r i 1 1 m J u A7o /

Chromi um 1 C\A 1 1 n /

1

uoppe

r

O J J.HD

I ron iJL-LU i n ±UO

Lead 96 83 95 89

Magnesi um 95 103 142

Manganese 94 91 113 87

Nickel 93 121 142 105

Sodi um 87 98 90 97

Vanadi um 96 99 124 85

Zinc 93 87 102 90

See figure 1

A = Dehydration and light end removal (1=2+3+4)

B = Solvent demetal ization and distillation

(4 = 5 + 6 + 8 + 9 + 10)

C = Acid/clay treatment (4 = 14 + 16 + 17)

D = Distillation (4 = 18 + 19 + 20)

In the case of lead contamination, the obvious approach to decreasing the problem is to continue with the phaseout of leaded gasoline; POM contamination could possibly be reduced by more efficient combustion or the use of a fuel with lower aromatic content but such actions are not

likely. However, regulations prohibiting deliberate disposal of hazardous materials in used oil may

be useful and necessary.

4.2. Disposal Assessments

4.2.1. Sewage Disposal

Sewer disposal of used automotive oils is widely practiced, but in locations where sewer discharges are collected and treated there does not appear to be a serious problem. Secondary

treatment plants, which handle the wastes of 25 percent of the urban population, are generally

effective for contaminants present at measured and reported concentration levels. However, storm

sewer or land disposal of the remaining 75 percent of the oil by the urban population not served by

secondary treatment systems could lead to problems.
4.2.2. Road Oiling

About 80 percent of the organic material present in used oil is adsorbed onto the top few

millimeters of the road surface. About 10 to 20 percent is lost through evaporation and 10 percent

lost through rainfall runoff. Over time the primary mechanism for transport of the remaining oil to the environment is through reentrai nment of oil-coated dust particles by wind and vehicular traffic.

4.2.3. Burning as Fuel

Waste oil produces higher particulate and lead loadings than would burning a No. 6 fuel. This

is not unexpected; under proper operating conditions the particulate and lead emissions can comply

with existing air quality standards, with compliance based on site specific situations.

4.2.4. Reprocessing to Fuel

Simple physical separation techniques such as gravity settling, filtration and centri f ugation

do remove some contaminants, notably metals. The maximum percent removal obtained for most metals

was in the range of 30 to 50 percent, and was achieved by centrifugation at 10,000 g and 200 °F over

a 2-hour residence period. The commercial viability of centrifugation under the above conditions is questionable.

4.2.5. Re-Refining to Lube Oil

Re-refining processes involving distillation effectively reduce metal contamination of

re-refined oils. Partial demetal ization prior to distillation may be useful for reducing coking and

equipment fouling. Organic contaminants, notably POMs and PCBs, are more difficult to remove. Hydrotreati ng destroys PCBs, but does not reduce POM levels. Only moderate concentration reductions

of both PCBs and POMs were achieved by the clay finishing and distillation operations conducted in this study. Concentrations of some POMs measured in the re-refined oils prepared in this study

appear to be somewhat higher than concentrations reported for unused oils [16, 19]; however,

compounds of proven mutagenicity, such as benzo(a)pyrene and benz(a)anthracene , were either not detected or present at low (-^10 ppm) levels.

5. Summary

The DOE sponsored program at GCA has been designed to determine the fate of constituents in waste oil when subjected to common use and disposal scenarios. Laboratory simulations of these

scenarios followed by chemical analysis of product and waste streams are being conducted to determine the disposition of contaminants. To the extent that the laboratory simulation duplicate

actual conditions, it will be possible to draw sound conclusions concerning the fate of hazardous

compounds and impacts associated with the scenario. A complete and detailed analysis of all data

will be forthcoming upon completion of this ongoing program in February 1983.

The work discussed in the report has been supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of

Industrial Programs. This support and the contribution of members of the used oil recycling industry

and the staff of GCA/Technology Division is gratefully appreciated. In particular thanks are due to

J. Fitzgerald, M. Hoyt, M. McCabe, D.McGrath, and M. Rennenkamp.

6. References

[1] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Report to Congress: Listing of Waste Oil as a Hazardous Waste Pursuant to Section (8)(2), Public Law 96-463, SW-909; January 1981.

[2] Baasel , W. D. ; McAllister, R. A.; Kingsbury, G. L. Multimedia environmental goals. Chemical

Engineering Progress; October 1980.

[3] Cotton, F. 0.; Whisman, M. L. ; Goetzinger, J. W. ; Reynolds, J. W. Analysis of 30 used motor

oils. Hydrocarbon Research 56(9): 131-140; 1977.

25
[4] Nims, J.; Mayo, R. ; Boston, L. ; Logue, E. ; Krueger, J.; and Aho, H. Analysis of waste oil in Maine. Report prepared by State of Maine. Department of Environmental Protection; 1981.

[5] Weinstein, N. J.; Waste oil recycling and disposal. U.S. EPA Report No. 670/2-74-052, PB 236

148; August 1974 327 pp.

[6] Battelle Columbus Laboratories. Evaluation of methods for analysis of hazardous wastes. Manual for collaborators participating in EPA sponsored i nterl aboratory study; December 1981.

[7] Arthur D. Little, Inc. Sampling and analysis methods for hazardous waste incineration.

Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Industrial Environmental Research

Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, under Contract No. 68-02-3111; February 1982.

[8] Gottlieb, M. Analysis of potential used oil recovery from individuals. DOE/BC/10053-21 ; July

1981.

[9] Whipple, W. , Jr.; Hunter, J. V. Petroleum hydrocarbons in urban runoff. Water Resources

Bulletin, Volume 15, Number 4; April 1979.

[10] Hunter, J. V.; Sabatino; Gomperts, R. ; Mackenzie, M. J. Contribution of urban runoff to hydrocarbon pollution. Journal Water Pollution Control, Volume 51, Number 8; August 1979.

[11] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Nationwide evaluation of combined sewer overflows and

urban stormwater discharges, Volume 1: Executive Summary, EPA-600/2-77-064a; September 1977.

[12] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Treatability of oil and grease discharged to POTWs

EPA-440/1-75-066; April 1975.

[13] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fate of priority pollutants in publicly owned treatment

works; EPA-440/-80-30 ; Office of Water and Waste Management; October 1980.

[14] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1978 NEEDS Survey. Cost estimates for construction of

publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities; EPA-430/9-79-001; 1979.

[15] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Runoff of oils from rural roads treated to suppress

dust; EPA-R2-72-054; October 1972.

[16] Weinstein, N. J. Used oil burned as a fuel. SW-892 (EPA); 1980.

[17] 40 CFR 50.12; National primary and secondary air standards for lead. 43 FR 46258; October 5, 1978.

[18] Hall, R. E. ; Cooke, W. M. ; Barbour; R. L. Comparison of air pollutant emissions from

vaporizing and air-atomizing waste oil heaters. Presented at 75th Annual Meeting of the Air

Pollution Control Association; New Orleans, Louisiana; June 1982.

[19] Peake, E. ; Parker, K. Mutagenicity of used crankcase oils. Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

5th International Symposium; Battelle Press; Columbus, Ohio; October, 1980. 1025-1037.
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS , Gaithersburq, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

ANALYSIS OF PCBs IN OIL: TECHNIQUE AND SRM DEVELOPMENT

R. M. Parris, F. R. Guenther, W. E. May, and S. N. Chesler

Organic Analytical Research Division

Center for Analytical Chemistry

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, are toxic, persistent, global environmental contaminants.

PCBs were formulated as complex mixtures of congeners and were manufactured until 1977 in the United

States under the trade name of Aroclor [l]. 1 These mixtures have been extensively used in this

country in high-voltage electrical components and may be introduced into the environment when these

components are serviced, repaired or discarded. Since the PCB fluid physically resembles lubricating oils, there have been instances in which PCBs have been added to motor oils being collected for

recycling purposes.

An estimated 750 million pounds of PCBs are still in service in the United States [2]. The

use, transport and disposal of PCBs is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the

auspices of the Toxic Substances Control Act. Cairns and Siegmund recently reviewed the regulatory

history and toxicity of PCBs and identified some of the problems of PCB analysis [3].

As we previously reported [4,5], a hybrid technique was developed at NBS for the determination

of PCBs in hydrocarbon matrices such as motor oils and transformer fluids. This method first

employs preparative-scale high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to remove the major portion

of analytical interferences from the oil sample, and then high-resolution capillary gas chromatography for i ndenti f ication and quantitation of PCB contaminants. This method is less time-consuming

and yields more accurate and precise results than many of the methods currently in use. This

procedure has been used at NBS in the certification of a Standard Reference Material (SRM 1581)

entitled "Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Oils" [6] and in the analysis of a series of round-robin

samples for a joint ASTM/NBS study [7].

Heterogeneous samples received for analysis are filtered and/or centrifuged to remove any

extraneous materials and water, yielding a homogeneous oil phase suitable for analysis. The

appropriate internal standard (IS) are added to the oil which is then injected onto a normal-phase

preparative-scale aminosilane HPLC column. Figure 1 shows a typical chromatogram and the conditions

used. The PCB-contai ni ng fraction of the eluate (previously ascertained from calibration with an appropriate standard PCB mixture shown at the bottom of Fig. 1) is collected. The more polar

compounds that would interfere with the analytical determination are not eluted in the volume

collected but are retained on the HPLC column. The collected fraction is concentrated by evaporation, if necessary, and an aliquot is then injected onto a nonpolar wall-coated open-tubular (WCOT)

gas chromatographic column (See figs. 2 and 3.) The detector signal is integrated and the internal

standard calculations are performed by a digital integrator.

Samples of used motor oil containing a wide range on concentrations and types of PCB contamination have been analyzed using this method; both electron capture (ECD) and Hall electrolytic

conductivity detection (HECD) have been used. The ECD was found to be more sensitive than the HECD

(by two orders of magnitude) and easier to maintain in a non-contaminated state. The HECD has a wider linearity range and is more selective because it responds only to halogenated compounds.

The majority of PCB congeners found in the sample are resolved yielding recognizable patterns

of peaks; and thus, peak-by-peak comparisons of the sample chromatogram with chromatograms of

commercial PCB mixtures can be made. Any significant non-PCB interference peaks are also readily

apparent and can be omitted from the quantitation calculations.

Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

27
o(,, 5

Si3

i Fraction

Collected

LC

FRACTIONATION

Oil Sample

Aroclor 1254

Standard

0 5 10 15

Time, Minutes

Figure 1. Preparative-scale high performance liquid chromatographic

fractionation. Conditions: Column, preparative-scale aminosilane,

7.9 mm i.d. x 30 cm; Mobile phase, HPLC grade hexane; Flow rate,

4 mL/min; Detection, ultraviolet absorption, 254 nm; Sample injected,

100 uL.

Since many pure PCB congeners are commercially available, appropriate congeners (i.e., ones not present in significant amounts in the sample being analyzed) can be used as internal standards in quantitative analyses. The choice of using non-occurring PCB congeners as internal standards is nearly ideal, because the PCB congener internal standards exactly mimic the behavior of the analyte

throughout the analytical procedure. We have found that with the degree of separation of congeners

obtained by using high-resolution GC, the presence of two or more Aroclors can be recognized from

the patterns of peaks in the chromatogram and a matrix algebra technique, such as that proposed by

Eder [8] can be employed to determine the ratio of the individual Aroclors.

This procedure has been used to certify Standard Reference Material 1581 entitled "Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Oil" [6] that consists of separate solutions of Aroclor 1242 and Aroclor

1260, each in a virgin motor oil base and a mineral base transformer oil. These solutions were

gravimetrical ly prepared and split into ampoules. The gravimetric values were verified using the

methodology described above. Six ampoules from each SRM pool were randomly selected and aliquots were fractionated after the addition of internal standards. These fractions were analyzed in triplicate using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. Analyte calibration factors were generated by analyses of gravimetrical ly prepared solutions of the Aroclor and

internal standards in the appropriate PCB-free diluent oil. Figures 2 and 3 show representative

chromatograms with the peaks used for quantitation and the internal standard peaks. The conditions

used for these analyses are given in the captions. The gravimetric, analytical (GC), and certified

concentration values for this SRM are presented in table 1. This SRM is designed to be used in calibrating instrumentation and validating methodology for the determination of PCBs in oils. It should be especially useful to analysts in the electrical generation industry and the motor oil

recycling industry.

2P>
Aroclor 1242 - Motor Oil

IS 2

coa

a> a

u

Calibration Soln. IS1 C3B

n,rSample S34

160

.aJ

Q

Q Q

JUU

II.

180

UU r JU JL .Ji

200

i 213

Figure 2. Gas chromatograms of the PCB-contai ni ng fractions of: Top: Gravimetrical ly prepared calibration solution of Aroclor

1242 and 2 internal standards in motor oil. Bottom: SRM sample

of "Aroclor 1242 in motor oil" spiked with the 2 internal standards.

"Q" designates peaks used for quantitation. "IS1", internal

standard 1, was hexachlorobenzene. "IS2", internal standard 2, was a pentachlorobiphenyl . Conditions: GC with electron capture

detection, 320 °C (constant current 63 Ni); Column, DB-5 WC0T. 0.25 mm

i.d. x 30 m; Temperature program, 160 °C * 230 °C @ 2 °C/min; Injector

temperature, 250 °C; Carrier gas, He, 1.4 kg/cm2 inlet pressure; sample

size luL; Split 30:1.

Table 1. NBS Standard Reference Material 1581, Polychl ori nated biphenyls in oils

Matrix

Motor Oil

Motor Oil

Transformer Oil

Transformer Oil

Aroclor Type

1242

1260

1242

1260

Calculated

100.00 ± 0.04t

100.00 ± 0.04

99.96 ± 0.04

99.98 ± 0.04

Concentration, ug/g

a Gas Chromatography

100.1 ± 1.4

b

100.7 ±2.0

100.4 +1.2

100.6 ± 2.7

Certi fi ed

Concentration, ug/g

100 ± l

b

100 ± 2

100 ± 1

100 ± 3

The calculated concentration is based on the total mass of the Aroclor added to the oil. Uncertainty is giver, as 95% confidence limits.

29
The results of our analyses of 11 samples for an ASTM/NBS collaborative study [7] are listed in

table 2. Most of these samples were made from pure PCBs added to various types of oils, to provide

a range of PCB contamination in terms of Aroclor type and concentration. The oil matrices ranged

from a virgin motor oil base to a used lubricating oil that had been collected for recycling

purposes. The NBS results for each sample are based on a single fractionation with triplicate

GC-ECD analyses.

The method we have described for the analysis of hydrocarbon matrices for PCBs should be easily

adaptable to other laboratories because it employs the use of conventional, commercially available

instrumentation, columns and detectors. We have found it to give accurate analysis of samples'''^.

Aroclor 1260 - Transformer Oil

CALIBRATION SOLN C2A IS 3

IS 1

I

</> i \

IS2

I Q a Iq IqQ

)!

, ft AIMm ii ft

a

u

SAMPLE S21

A A M /.Hi' Mil 1 1'-'

120- 140 160 180

Figure 3. Gas chromatogram of the PCB-contai ni ng fractions of: Top: Gravimetrical ly prepared calibration solution of Aroclor

1260 and 3 internal standards in transformer oil. Bottom: SRM

sample of "Aroclor 1260 in transformer oil" spiked with 3 internal

standards. "Q" designates peaks used for quantitation. "IS1",

internal standard 1, was PCB #21 (Ref. 9), 2,3,4-trichlorobiphenyl

"IS2", internal standard 2, was PCB #104 2,2' ,4,6,6'-pentachlorobiphenyl

"IS3", internal standard 3, was PCB #209, decachlorobiphenyl

Conditions: GC with electron capture detection, 300 °C (constant

current 63 Ni); Column, DB-5 SCOT, 0.25 mm i.d. x 30 m; Temperature

program, 120 °C (1 min) -» 260 °C @ 4 °C/min; Injector temperature,

300 °C; Carrier gas, He, 2.8 kg/cm2 inlet pressure; Sample size,

luL; Split 30:1.

30
Table 2. NBS-ASTM round robi n sampl es

Code

A

B

C

D

E

F,G

H

I

J

Sampl

e

5.9 ppm

b A1260 C /BC7345

41.0 ppm A1242/BC7345

148.3 ppm A1260/BC7345

BC7345

41.0 ppm A1242/

BC7345

19.9 ppm A1260/

Dupl icates

BC7227

96.6 ppm A1254/U05482

l:9b #81-335-H/U05379

1:4 Additive (Chevron CR-82R 5005)/

BC7425

NBS Results 9

6.2 ± 0.3 ppm A1260

41+1 ppm A1242

147 ± 4 ppm A1260

N.D. (D.L. <1 ppm Aroclor)

41 ±1 ppm A1242

19.8 ±0.6 ppm A1260

Not Analyzed

165 ± 10 ppm A1260

101.7 ±1.6 ppm A1254

25.4 ±0.7 ppm A1242

48 ±5 ppm A1254

40 ±3 ppm A1260

No recognizable PCB patte rn

1 LC fractionation; 3 GC runs

5 weight/weight

: A1260 * Aroclor 1260; A1242 -> Aroclor 1242; A1254 -» Aroclor 1254

References

Hutzinger, 0.; Safe, S; and Zitko, V. The chemistry of PCBs. Cleveland, OH: CRC Press; 1974.

Miller, S. The persistent PCB problem. Environ. Sci. Technol . 16: 98A-99A; 1982.

Cairns, T; Siegmund, E. G. PCBs regulatory history and analytical problems. Anal.

Chem. 53: 1183A; 1981.

4. Chesler, S. N. ; May, W. E. ; White, P. A.; Parris, R. M. ; and Guenther, F. R. Determination

of polychl ori nated biphenyls in waste and lubricating oils, Proc. Joint Conf. on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil /Systems Performance and Durability; 1981 Oct. 23; Gaithersburg,

MD. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ . 584; 295-297, 1980 Nov.

5. Chesler, S. N. ; Guenther, F. R. ; May, W. E. ; Parris, R. M. Standard reference materials for accurate analyses of PCBs in oil. ASTM Stand. News 10: 15-20; 1982.

6. National Bureau of Standards Certificate of Analysis, Standard Reference Material 1581.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in oils. Office of Standard Reference Materials, National Bureau

of Standards, Washington, DC 20234; 1982 June 25.

7. Becker, D. Analyses for PCBs in oil: The ASTM/NBS round robin. Proceedings, Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

33
8. Eder G. J. Chromatogr. 121 : 269-277; 1978.

9. Bal 1 schmiter , K. ; Zell , M. Analysis of polychl ori nated biphenyls (PCB) by glass capillary

gas chromatography: Composition of technical Aroclor- and Clophen-PCB mixtures. Fresenius

Z. Anal. Chem. 302: 20-31; 1980.

[10] Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper to specify

adequately the experimental procedure. Such indentif ication does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards, nor does it imply that the materials or equipment

identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

32
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gai thersburq , MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

Analysis for PCB's in Oil: The NBS/ASTM Round Robin

Donald A. Becker

Recycled Oil Program

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

I. Introduction

Early in 1982, a cooperative effort on the analysis of polychl ori nated biphenyls (PCBs) in lubricating oil was initiated by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) Recycled Oil Program and the

American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), Technical Division P. The primary purpose of this

cooperative effort was to help provide the necessary information and data to identify an accurate,

relatively simple method for the determination of PCBs in used and re-refined lubricating oils. If identified, such a method could be developed into an ASTM Standard Method. A secondary purpose was

to assist oil recyclers to identify an appropriate analytical methodology which could be utilized to obtain reliable PCB analyses in these types of samples. This paper is a further update on the

progress and results obtained in this study, and supplements information provided previously at ASTM

meetings.

The round robin consisted of eleven samples of oil in sealed glass ampoules which contained one

or more of the PCB Aroclors at known (to NBS) concentrations. Seven of these samples (A-G) were

made with weighed quantities of the Aroclor(s) dissolved in a virgin lubricating base oil. Since

these samples were prepared gravimetrically with high accuracy, they have well known concentrations

of PCB(s). Two duplicate samples were included in the seven. The remaining four samples were: a re-refined base oil with high PCB content (H), two used engine oils containing added PCBs (I, J), and

a re-refined base oil containing only an additive package suspected of causing interferences with

some PCB analytical methods (K). Sample J was actually a 1:9 dilution of a PCB containing oil

sample which had three Aroclors present, 1242, 1254 and 1260. The dilution was made because of very

high PCB concentrations in the original oil, and was made with a PCB-free used engine oil.

The round robin samples as described above were made up and ampouled by the NBS Organic Analytical

Research Division. The gas chromatography group analyzed the samples [1.2] 1

. The analysts, though

members of the same Division, were not aware of the gravimetric values prior to completion of their

analyses. The gravimetric values and the NBS analytical results are given in table 1. It can be seen from this data that agreement between the two techniques was generally very good.

A total of eighteen laboratories cooperated in this study by supplying analyses of this set of

samples using the procedure of their choice. Since one laboratory analyzed the samples by two methods, a total of nineteen sets of result were obtained. In addition, all laboratories were

requested to provide a copy of their procedure(s) , and most complied although there was a wide

discrepancy between the completeness of the information supplied about the various procedures.

The results of the i nterl aboratory round robin are contained in table 2. This table provides

all of the analytical data as well as the gravimetric and NBS results; and the MEAN, STANDARD DEVIATION

(of a single measurement; S.D.), and HIGH/LOW values for the non-NBS laboratory analyses. In this

table, the values for a sample are contained in a single vertical column, with the letter at the

head of the column identifying the specific sample. At the far left are the analyzing laboratory

labels, numbers 1 through 18. It should be noted that these laboratories are listed in random

order.

1 Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

33
Table 1. PCBs added and NBS analyses of round robin samples

PCB Concent. rati on (PPM;wt/wt)

Code Oil

3 Cone. Added Arocl or NBS Value*

3 Arnr 1 or

A BC 7345 5.9 1260 6.2 ± 0.3 1260

B(F) BC 7345 41. 0 1242 41 ±1 1242

C BC 7345 148.3 1260 147 ± 4 1260

D BC 7345 NONE N.D.

C

E(G) BC 7345 41.0

19.9

1242

1260

41 ± 1 19.8+ 0.61242

1260

H BC 7227 NONE 165 ±10 1260

I UO 5482 96.6 1254 102 ± 2 1254

J uo 5379 __d 25.4+ 0.7

48 ± 5 40 ± 3

1242

1254

1260

K BC 7425 __eN.D.

Oil identification is as follows: BC 7345 is an unused, virgin lube basestock; BC 7227 is an unused, re-refined basestock containing a PCB contaminant; BC 7425 is a re-refined lube basestock

with 580 ppm total chlorine contaminant, but no PCB contaminant; UO 5482 and UO 5379 are uncleaned,

used automotive lube oils.

^NBS results based on one LC fractionation with three GC runs per sample. (± values are the standard

deviation of a single measurement).

C N.D. = Not detected; detection limit is 1 ppm Aroclor.

^PCBs were added as a 1:9 dilution of a heavily contaminated industrial oil containing the three Aroclors.

e No PCBs present or added; additive package used which had caused some techniques to give false

positives for PCBs. Also, the re-refined base oil used had chlorine present at a relatively high

level, but did not contain PCBs.

34
322

xl

| NBS

J

NBS

Figure 1. PCB data plot for samples C, H and I (G = gravimetric value; NBS = NBS value, with estimated uncertainty based on the

precision of the three GC runs).

OIL E

TOTAL

G« | INBS

K%

X

X

G»

I

I NBS

X

A-1242 A- 1260

Figure 2. PCB data plot of sample E: total PCB concentration and individual

Aroclors (G = Gravimetric value; NBS = NBS value, with estimated

uncertainty based on the precision of the three GC runs.)

35
Table 2. Round robin analytical data

PCB Concentration (PPM)

Oil A B F C D K AROCLOR 1260 1242 1242 1260 NONE NONE

LAB NO. h

1 0 41 43 153 10

a ND

2 3.0 20 19 77 ND ND

3 3.2 19.5 18 82 ND ND 4a 5.3 36.3 35.1 156 ND ND

4b 6.9 41.6 41. 5 135 HO 3.0

c

J Q 37o / Jo Kin X

£O D . U JO^fi ft

. o iUJ . 0 isin

1

1 3 . H C.\J • D 77 7 Kin kid PI u oq q n L-> J JO3ft 1LID7^ ft 5

u *T . O JO vili

, ?

h

L£.

\ 0 14 71 73 166 ND ND. 11 1.4 22.2 21.2 31.4 ND 20

1 12 4 44 45 144 ND ND

13 5.7 49.3 40. 8

9 138 ND ND . 14 15.2 64 102 243 0.5 113 J 15 5.3 23 24 134 ND 35

K 15 3.7 32 16.3 76.6 ND 0.8

17 3 29 30 116 ND ND 18 6.5 25 24.5 84.5 ND ND MEAN 5.9 37 37 121 0.55 10.3

S.D. m 3.8 14 21 48 - 26 S.D.(%) 64% 38% 57% 40% - 252%

HIGH 15.2 71 102 243 10 113

LOW 0 19.5 16.3 31.4 0 0 ADDED 5.9 41.0 41.0 148.3 0.0 0.0 NBS 6.2 41 41 147 0 0 Uncert. 0.3 1 1 4

- -

OIL E E E G G G AROCLOR TOTAL 1242 1260 TOTAL 1242 1260

LAB NO.

1 40 40 0 4 1 47 0

2 30 20 10 31 21 10

3 32. 5 21 11.5 32 22 10

4a 50.7 32.3 18.4 49.8 32.1 17.7

4b 57.7 38.1 19.6 57 1 37.6 19.5

5 33

C - - 36

h - - 6 53.6 28.7 24.9 45.5 24.3 21.2

7 36.6 26.8 9.8 34.5 24.8 9.7

8 70

d 42 28 75 . 47 28

9 51. 9

d 35 11 52.

1 35 11

10 100 72.4 27.6 103 74 29

11 30.8 5.2 25.6 32.5 5.8 26.7

12 62 43 19 63 43 20

13 54 32.6 21.4 65.7 46.5 19.2

14 128 85 43 111 74 37

15 47 21 26 59. 27 32

16 50.9 37.3 13.6 _J

17 «7 ? 59

k 18 50 39.5 22 17.5 MEAN 54 36 19.4 55 36 19.3

S.D. m 24 19 10 23 19 9.7 S.D.(%) 44% 53% 52% 42% 53% 50%

HIGH 128 85 43 111 74 37 LOW 30 5.2 0 31 5.8 0 ADDED 60.9 41.0 19.9 60.9 41.0 19.9 NBS 60.8 41 19.8 60.8 41 19.8

Uncert. 1.6 1 0.6 1.6 1 0.6

36
Table 2. (continued)

PCB Concentration (PPM)

OIL H I J J J J AROCLOR 1260 1254 TOTAL 1242 1254 1260

LAB NO. 1 138 140 156 0 156 0

2 77 128 94 0 59 35

3 65 30 137 0 112 25

4a 165 107 143.0 41.9 76.1 25.0

4b 147 97.5 129.2 41. 1 66. 0 22.1

5 150 74

a 140 - - - 6 131. 3 85.9 103.8 0 0 103.8

7 132.1 115.4 118.3 0 118.3 0 8 200 100 131 31 0 100

9 110 89 119 25 66 28

10 179 179 344 10 167 167 11 43. 6 75 98.3 0 86 12.3

12 170 76 197 24 119 54

13 123 73 112 32 80 0 14 322 311 320 106 107 107

15 242 103 108 0 44 64

16 116. 3 60.8 42.9 0 0 42.9

17 144 114 179

18 102 67 95. 5° MEAN

S.D. m 145 107 146 19.4 79 4963 59 74 28 51 48

S.D.(%) 43% 55% 51% 144% 65% 98%

HIGH 322 311 344 106 167 167

LOW 43.6 30 42.9 0 0 0 ADDED 96.6

NBS

Uncert. 165 102 113.4 25.4 48 4010 2 9 0.7 5 3

identified as Aroclor 1221.

bND = None Detected.

Q Identified as a mixture of Aroclors 1242 and 1260. ^Also found 5.9 ppm of Aroclor 1254.

e No Aroclors identified,

identified as a mixture of Aroclors 1248, 1254 and 1260.

identified as 28.4 ppm of Aroclor 1242 and 12.4 ppm of Aroclor 1260. ^Stated to be a mixture of Aroclors 1242 and 1260.

1 Also found 6.1 ppm of Aroclor 1254. ^Ampoule broken in transit.

No Aroclors identified.

^Identified as 0.8 ppm of Aroclor 1254.

m Standard deviation of a single measurement. "Estimated uncertainty, based on the precision of the three GC runs.

NOTE: Added values are amounts of the Aroclors gravimetrically

added to the lubricating oils. Oils A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and

K were clean base oils to which known amounts of PCBs were

added.

37
A plot of the data for oils C, H, and I is found in figure 1. It becomes immediately obvious from

this figure that there are problems in the analysis of PCBs even at concentrations of 100 ppm and

above. Figure 2 shows the same type of plot for the individual Aroclors as well as tne total PCB content for oil E. It may be useful to point out that the average uncertainty for the individual

Aroclors was ±74% while for the total PCB content of these oils the average uncertainty was ±48%

(1 sigma). Examination of the data indicates that most of this difference in uncertainty (between

total and individual Aroclors) was due to the influence of sample J, a very dirty sample which

appeared to cause substantial analytical problems. For most samples, the determination of individual

Aroclors increased the uncertainty by only about 10 percent. The lower uncertainty of the total PCB values may result from partial compensation of errors when two or more Aroclors were determined in the same sample.

In addition to the data provided above, an attempt was made to ascertain some indication as to the source of the analytical uncertainty utilizing information available from the two sets of duplicates

included in the round-robin. These duplicates are samples B and F, and samples E and G. In figure

3, the individual laboratory values for the PCB content of sample B is plotted versus that found for

sample F, to provide what is called a Youden plot. Since the samples B and F are identical, the "true" value is a point in the center of the figure, marked by an X. An examination of the data

from the 19 sets of results shows not a symmetrical series of points around the X, as would be

expected from a true random distribution of errors, but rather a configuration closely approximating

a line at 45 degrees from the origin and passing through the X.

I 10

100

90

80

70

LL

_JO 60

50

40

JG

20

10

OILS B and F AROCLOR 1242

/

/

1 •/

/.6 '8 /a a

1S/> u} 18 4?

J L j | 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 OIL B

Figure 3. Yopden plot of duplicate samples for aroclor 1242 content: sample B versus sample F (X = "True" value based on gravimetric data).

38
A similar plot is shown in figure 4, for the two duplicate samples E and G. Again, the configuration

obtained approximates a straight line at 45 degrees, passing through the origin and through the X.

1 10

100

OILS E and G TOTAL PCB CONTENT

50

~ 70 3

<

H 60 o

H

a

-jo 10

30

20

10

• 12/

'.5 X

9 /4B I

2'/

V. I I I L

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

OIL E (TOTAL)

Figure 4. Youden plot of duplicate samples for total PCB content: sample E versus sample G (X = "True" value based on gravimetric data).

The above data and figures can be used to provide some insight into the analytical problems

which seem to be causing the rather high uncertainties found in this study. First, the close approximation

to a straight line at a 45 degree angle along with the high repeatibil ity of most of the laboratories

for identical samples, would seem to indicate that the laboratories have reasonably good precision

in their analyses. However, the wide variability from the "true" value (the X on the plots) appears

to indicate that a substantial problem exists with the standardization and/or quantitation methodology

that was utilized. Some information on the analytical techniques used by the laboratories is shown

in table 3.

From the information contained in table 3, it is seen that all of the participating laboratories

used external standards, which may result in different yields between the samples and standards due

to differing sample clean-up procedures (column 2 of table 3). Examination cf the data shows that,

except for the two dirty oil samples (I and J), the MEAN value from participating laboratories is less than the amount of PCB added gravimetrical ly (and later found to be still present by NBS analysts),

supporting the concept of uncorrected losses during sample preparation and/or analysis. Also,

further discussion with participants revealed that some laboratories analyzed their standards in different matrices than the samples. For example, either of the above difficulties could cause

substantial differences between samples and standards, resulting in the observed discrepencies.

In an attempt to evaluate the possibility that congeneric differences between the various standards

used might be influencing the quantitation process, samples of their standards were requested from

the cooperating laboratories for analysis at NBS. Five laboratories provided such samples, and

preliminary analysis of those samples did not indicate any significant differences in isomeric

distributions of the Aroclors (less than 5 percent).

39
Table 3. Summary of PCB analytical techniques used

GC

Lab

No.1

34a

4 b

55

78

10

II

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Clean-up Detector' Alumina & acid EC

Acid EC

Acid, KMnO, fluorisil EC ASTM 4059; EC

f 1 uori si 1 , acid

Fluorisil (EPA) EC Fluorisil EC A-H None I-K EC Fluorisil & acid

Fluorisil EC

I-K Fluorisil EC

Silica gel EC Acid

ASTM 4059; EC Fluorisi 1 ,acid

Acid,KMn0

4

EC

f 1 uori si 1

Fluorisil EC

EPA ; Fl uori si 1 , acid

375°F; EC

Fl uori si 1 ,acid

Fl uori si 1 , then acid if

necessary

Quantitation

ES

ES

Source of

Standards

Com' 1

Com'l 2 ES, Auto-sampler EPA

ES, Auto-sampler

ESES

EPA

Com'l 1

ES

ES

ES

ES

LS

ES

ES

ES

EPA

Com'l 3 FDA

EPA

EPA and

Com' 1

Col umn

Capi 1 1 ary Packed

6 ' x4mm

1.5%SP2250

1.95XSP2401

Auto/ i nject

30Mx. 25mm

DB-5

Split 10:1

25m,SE-54

6'x2mm 3%SP2100

6'x2mm 3%SP2100

6'x4mm 1%SP2250

7'x2mm Nickel

3%Dexil 300

6'x2mm 1%0V-17;

1.95% OV 210

10' x4mm

10%SP2100

OV 101

30m DB-5

Spl itless

Com' 1

Com' 1

1+2

4

1+2

6'x

1.5%SP2250

1.95%SP2401

6'x2mm 3% OV 1

6 ' x4mm

1.5%SP 2401

NBS HPLC EC IS FDA and Com' 1 5 30m x . 25mm

DB-5

Split 10:1

Note: Acid is concentrated H„S0^

j^EC = Electron Capture

ES = External Standard; IS = Internal Standard

Com'l = Commercial sources, numbered 1 to 5

In conclusion, as a result of this study to date, it appears that there is substantial variability

in the analytical results obtained by different laboratories in the analysis of PCBs in petroleum

oils. These large uncertainties exist for the analysis of clean lube oil basestocks as well as for

the analysis of dirty used and waste oils. Also, it appears that these large uncertainties are related to the quantitation process. It is hoped that further examination of the data and the

techniques used will provide additional insight into a method which would be suitable for development

into an ASTM PCB standard method for used and recycled oils.

40
The author wishes to acknowledge the participation and cooperation of ASTM and the analytical

laboratories. In addition, the assistance of the NBS Gas Chromatography Group in the preparation of

samples and in their analysis is appreciated.

2. References

[1] Parris, R. M. ; Guenther, F. R. ; May, W. E. ; Chesler, S. N. Analysis for PCBs in Oil:

Technique and SRM Development. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled

Oil-IV, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[2] Chesler, S. ; May, W. ; White, P.; Parris, R. ; and Guenther, F. , eds. Determination of

polychl ori nated biphenyls in waste and lubricating oil; Proceedings, Joint Conference on Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil /Systems Performance and Durability; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 584; 1980.

41

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburq, MD, Septemberl4-16, 1982

(Issued July 1984).

LUBE OIL MONITORING IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

James N. Johnson

Petroleum Products Program

Division of Measurement Standards

Department of Food and Agriculture

Sacaramento, California 95826

1. Introduction

Lubricating oils are a unique commodity to the consumer. Few people, if any, can distinguish

between grades or brands by touch, sight or smell. Unlike many other commodities, its sale and

delivery into a vehicle is final in the sense that there is no practical way for the motorist to return or exchange the product if dissatisfied. The brand and labeling statements are principal

factors in its presentation to the public. Therefore, the interests of the consumer are of primary

importance in the assurance of stated quality. This is a vital factor in the monitoring and

surveillance of lube oils.

Of equal importance to consumer concerns, is the assurance that the lubricating oil industry

competes in a marketplace where equity prevails and where unfair advantage is not gained through

misleading and unfair business practices. The California Petroleum Products Program maintains a lubricating oil monitoring program to serve both the consumer and industry alike.

California's presence in the field of petroleum product quality testing is not new. For over

fifty years the Petroleum Products Program, through the Department of Food and Agriculture, Division

of Measurement Standards, has had the responsibility of maintaining the integrity of a wide variety

of automotive petroleum products. Throughout this period of time lubricating oils have been

constantly monitored to prevent fraud and misrepresentation. In 1982, this continues to be an important program activity.

The State of California has a large, highly mobile population, accounting for over 10 percent

of the nation's consumption in several commodity areas. Gasoline and lubricating oils are no exception. In 1981, sales of gasoline and other motor fuels were 11 billion gallons, while sales of

automotive lubricating oils in the same year were approximately 110 million gallons.

Most requirements concerning lubricating oils are contained in the statues of the California

Business and Professions Code. Regulations are adopted to clarify, make specific or interpret the

statutes. California labeling laws require that the SAE/API engine service classification, S.A.E. viscosity number, brand, name of product and net contents be on all motor oil packages. In addition, the label must state either "the model year for which the oil is generally intended, or the level of service for which it is to be used." The California Legislature has been responsive to needed change and has acted on behalf of industry, consumers and state agencies.

State Petroleum Laboratories are located in Downey (Los Angeles) and Sacramento. Investigative

staff work is conducted out of five regional offices that are strategically located throughout the

State. Individual county weights and measures departments (56 counties) participate in joint

enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to petroleum in varying degrees.

2. Field Activity

As a part of the field investigation activity, specially equipped vehicles are used by

investigators to covertly purchase motor oils at retail locations for quality and quantity purposes.

These vehicles are equipped with a by-pass device which diverts the motor oil sample to a container

for analysis purposes. A particular brand and S.A.E. viscosity classification oil is requested and

the sample is tagged, labeled and brought to the laboratory for testing.

43
The experiences of an undercover motor oil quality program have been unique and varied. In the

activity of "playing the part of a consumer motorist" we have been sold crankcase drainings, can drainings, automatic transmission fluid mixtures, wrong S.A.E. viscosity numbers, different brands

and grades, and occasionally, nothing at all. In the majority of these instances there was a profit

motivation involved and the unscrupulous operator or attendant merely utilized any stock on hand to complete the fraudulent act. In one of the more flagrant cases, an operator filled quart cans of

virtually every major brand label in the market with a low quality, SA classification oil. His

shelves and cabinets contained 150 refilled quarts of various brand labels; however, they all contained the same oil. Also in inventory were 90 gallons of low quality product stored in bulk for

quart can refilling purposes. Several marketing factors have caused these practices to diminish,

however, they still do occur occasionally.

Throughout the State, samples of lubricating oil are obtained at virtually all types of retail

locations; service stations, auto parts stores, supermarkets, convenience stores and truck stops.

Packaged and bulk virgin oils as well as recycled oils are monitored to insure compliance with

appropriate advertising, labeling and quality requirements.

Random sampling at both retail and wholesale levels provides the best opportunity to view the

broadest market situation. When a problem or violation pattern develops, staff and resources are directed to that specific circumstance. If violations are found that involve off-specification

product, appropriate compliance or enforcement measures are utilized. This includes direct court

citations, criminal complaints and civil suits. Local prosecutors at the city and county levels

have become experienced in handling violations involving consumer and business interests relating to petroleum products. Violations occurring statewide can be referred to the State Attorney General's

office. Generally, the California lube oil industry is committed to marketing a range of products

that consistently meet existing requirements of law and regulations. Only with a comprehensive

quality control program can a high level of compliance to product specification be achieved. In this regard, the industry has made a concerted effort towards that objective.

3. Laboratory Evaluation of Lubricating Oils

The Division of Measurement Standards maintains ASTM membership. Most laboratory test methods

are ASTM procedures. This involvement assures the maintenance of recognized current ASTM test methods utilized by the industry. Participation within ASTM provides the opportunity to communicate

directly with industry, automobile manufacturers, other states and general interest membership.

Although our membership has not been of long duration, current and future benefits derived from ASTM

membership and participation are of great value to our program activity.

Perhaps the most important aspect of a regulatory monitoring program is the laboratory, where

all lube oil products found in the marketplace are evaluated. Until recently, the laboratory was relatively basic in nature, performing a variety of physical bench tests to compare various

characteristics of a motor oil sample with known "true sample" data. It was relatively easy to determine if an undercover sample of "XYZ S.A.E. 30" was indeed, XYZ S.A.E. 30. Gravity, viscosity,

viscosity index, flash point and color generally provided the needed tests for comparison purposes.

In some instances, this is still the basis for identification. However, improved equipment and

testing procedures have evolved through the years to bring this testing to more sophisticated levels

for compliance monitoring. In addition to previous mentioned physical testing, California petroleum

laboratories now utilize the infra-red spectrophotometer, cold-cranking simulator, foam test equipment as well as several other necessary lube oil testing procedures. It should be noted that

the California State Petroleum Laboratories do not function in a research and development mode. The

main purpose of the program activity is to identify off-specification product and subsequently

remove it from sale.

When an oil is considered suspect in one or more specification areas, additional testing is necessary for confirmation. For example, a more in depth examination of the additive package

contents may be needed to verify the presence of metals. Occasionally, samples are sent to commercial laboratories to perform this additional analysis.

Recycled (reclaimed) oils are evaluated in the same manner as virgin oils. Recycled oils,-

until recent years, had specific labeling requirements distinguishing it from virgin oil. Modern,

re-refining processes and technology, coupled with adequate quality control measures, have vastly

44
improved the re-refined product image in the marketplace. High quality base stocks and additive

packages that are presently available can provide applicable specifications that are appropriate for

the rigid lubrication requirements of modern engines.

Within a lube oil monitoring program, several quality factors become apparent. Types of oil,

physical qualities and adherence to specifications by the companies that blend and package

lubricating oils are examined. While most of the industry observes good quality control procedures,

there have been instances of lubricating oils that were offered for sale at retail that had not been

subjected to a single test for quality. These particular oils contained metal shavings, impurities, were of various viscosity classifications and generally resembled drainings from engine crankcases.

This, of course, is not what is normally found in the marketplace but indicates this type of problem

does occur. Before 1965, "reclaimed lubricating oils" carried many negative connotations. Some were real, some imagined. The qualities found in many recycled oils today match virgin oils in equivalence levels. There are several companies in California that incorporate these qualities in the re-refining of lubricating stocks.

Because of favorable climatic conditions, California automobiles may be in service years longer

than vehicles driven in other parts of the nation. Recycled as well as virgin oils serve this older

generation of automobiles. It is estimated that 5.3 percent of California's over 17.5 million

registered vehicles are more than 10 years old. Good lubricating oils certainly contribute to keeping this portion of the vehicle population on the road.

4. Conclusions

The Petroleum Program in California is one of flexibility, as priorities must change to meet

the challenge of a constantly changing petroleum market. Recent technical developments indicate a need to enhance existing test equipment to focus on vital areas of lube oil quality. As a regulatory function, this is an important aspect in carrying out the laboratory responsibility for

enforcement purposes. There is always more that could be done if staff and resources permitted, and

I would imagine that is true of most activities in the private sector as well as government. There

are plans to expand the lube oil monitoring activity in California. The degree of expansion for the

future is dependent upon anticipated needs that would be of benefit to both industry and the consumer.

Industry participation is essential for achieving compliance goals. Quality standards existing

in California are consistent with industry goals. Conscious effort on the part of industry to recognize and adopt measures to assure consumers a high quality product maintains the compliance

levels necessary for a high volume petroleum products market.

r

45

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674-; Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

REVISION OF THE MIL-L-2104C SPECIFICATION

Thomas C. Bowen

U. S. Army MERADCOM

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

This paper will present the Army's activities in upgrading Military lubricant specifications to allow the use of re-refined materials. Although primary emphasis will be placed on the proposed

revision to specification MIL-L-2104C, I will also provide an update relative to actions taken with

other automotive lubricant specifications.

At the time of the last NBS Conference, one document was in effect which provided for the use

of re-refined materials. This document, Purchase Description ME-101, was the culmination of the

EPA/DOD re-refined oil program addressing engine oils for use in administrative service vehicles.

The purchase description became obsolete in January 1980 with the issuance of the MIL-L-46152A

specification covering SE/CC quality level engine oils. This specification and the subsequently

issued MIL-L-46152B document, formally provided for the qualification and procurement of engine oils

formulated with virgin, re-refined or a combination of the two types of basestocks. It should be

noted that MIL-L-46152B, dated January 1981, upgraded the performance of administrative service oils

to SF/CC quality level and adopted the revised SAE viscosity grading system.

With the successful completion of the work covering engine oils for administrative service

vehicles, the Army initiated a second program, to address the use of re- refined materials in lubricants intended for the tactical and combat fleets. The program was patterned after the

approach used in the previous effort and in part relied on information generated during the EPA/DOD

program. Two re-refined basestocks were selected for evaluation in the MIL-L-2104C program. Table

1 summarizes analyses conducted on the stocks under the 7000 designation. Since stocks from the same manufacturers had been used in the previous program, comparative data generated during the EPA/DOD

work are presented. These data are denoted by the 6000 series numbers. The re-refined stocks were

treated with an additive system typical of qualified MIL-L-2104C products. Analysis data for the

finished oils are presented in table 2. As can be seen, both oils fall within a Grade 30 viscosity

classification and have very similar chemical and physical properties.

Table 1. Summary of base stock analyses

Property

Viscosity, cSt

@ 100°C

@ 40°C

Viscosity Index

Gravity, °API

Carbon Residue

Pour Point, °C Flash Point, °C

Sap. No. BP Dist. , °C 1%

5%

10%

50%

90%

Residue, M%

Base Stock A 6694 7755

7.77 8.14

53.1 57.1

108 109

30.0 30.0

0.06 0.13

-9 -10

196 207

0.35 0.30

240 292

339 362

377 388

452 485

551

5 14

Base Stock B 6696 7700

8.32 9.08

60.3 68.5

105 107

29.6 29.0

0.05 0.15

-12 -3

213 224

0.24 1.33

276 318

371 373

390 394

447 488

550

4 11

47
Table 2. Finished oil analyses

Property Oil 1 Oil 2

Base Stock A B Viscosity, cSt

@100°C 10.1 11.2

@40°C 76.9 92.7

Viscosity Index 113 107

Flash Point, °C 218 223 Pour Point, °C -10 -15 TAN 2.1 2.6 TBN 9.5 9.5

Sulfated Ash, %M 1.27 1.27

Elemental , %M

Ca 0.21 0.20

Mg 0.09 0.09

Zn 0.13 0.13

P 0.11 0.11

S 0.45 0.50

The next task in the program involved evaluation of the engine performance characteristics of

the finished oils. Since the tactical and combat fleets are predominately diesel powered, emphasis

was placed in this area, relying on information generated in the EPA/D0D program to demonstrate the

gasoline engine performance of re-refined products. The tests selected were the Caterpillar 1G2,

required for qualification of MIL-L-2104C oils, and the Caterpillar 102 test which at the time was proposed to replace the 1-D procedure used for approval testing under the MIL-L-2104C specification

Results of initial testing are summarized in table 3. As can be seen, Oil 1 successfully met the

MIL-L-2104C requirements, while oil 2 failed, allowing the formation of deposits well in excess of

the limits established by the specification. At this point, a decision was made to reformulate Oil

2 rather than conduct a retest of the product. This was accomplished by a rebalance of additive

components used in the original blend. Table 4 summarizes analytical data for the reformualted

product, denoted Oil 3, compared with the Oil 2 data. The reformulated oil was then subjected to 1G2 and 102 testing. Table 5 summarizes all engine performance data generated in the program. As can be seen, Oil 3 satisfied the MIL-L-2104C, 1G2 test requirement.

Table 3. Initial test results

2104C

Engine Test

1G2

TGF ,% WTD

1D2

TGF,%

WTD

aNR - NO REQUIREMENT: NT NOT TESTED

Table 4.

Property

TAN

TBN SULFATED ASH, %M

Elemental , %M

CA

MG

ZN

P

Requi rement

80 MAX

300 MAX

NRa

NRa

Oil 1

39 172

12 244

Analysis reformulated oil

Oil 2

2.6

9.5

1.27

0.20

0.09

0.13

0.11

Oil 2

34

449

NTa

NTa

Oil 3

2.2

11.9

1.46

0.30

0.08

0.14

0.12

48
Table 5. Engine test results

2104C

Engine Test Requi rement Oil 1 Oil 2 Oil

1G2

TGF, % 80 MAX 39 34 53 WTD 300 MAX 172 449 232

1D2TGF, % NRa 12 NTa 25 WTD NRa 244 NTa 111

aNR - No Requirement NT - Not Tested

From the results obtained during the program the following conclusions were drawn:

1) It is possible to formulate engine oils containing re-refined material which will meet the

performance requirements of the MIL-L-2104C specification.

2) The performance characteristics of finished lubricants formulated using different re- refined base stocks and identical additive treatments can vary significantly.

3) To verify the performance characteristics of finished oils containing re-refined materials,

it will be necessary to maintain current qualification procedures which require products to be tested against all specification performance requirements.

Based on these conclusions, it was recommended that:

1) When amended or revised, restrictions on the use of re-refined materials should be removed

from the MIL-L-2104 specification.

2) The methodology used for incorporating re-refined materials into the MIL-L-46152

specification be employed under the MIL-L-2104 document.

The aforementioned recommendations have been adopted. As many of you are aware, the MIL-L-2104

specification is currently under revision. The proposed "D" specification will allow use of

re-refined basestock and provisions for sampling of basestocks have been incorporated. As with

other Military engine oil specification, property requirements have been established to define

lubricant grade and provide a general control of 1 ow- temperature handling and product volitility. A series of engine dynamometer tests will be used to define lubricant performance characteristics. In addition, the proposed specification will include several transmission performance tests. This later

aspect was necessitated because of the Military's use of MIL-L-2104 oil in power transmission

application. It is expected that the MIL-L-2104D specification will be issued in early 1983.

This concludes my remarks concerning the MIL-L-2104 specification, however, I would like to take this opportunity to advise you of action taken in regard to the MIL-L-46167 Arctic engine oil

and the MIL-L-2105 gear lubricant specifications. The Arctic engine oil specification is currently

being updated. As a portion of this effort, it is proposed to allow the use of re-refined materials

in formulating products qualified under the revised specification. It is anticipated that the

MIL-L-46167A document will be issued in the latter portion of this year.

In regard to the MIL-L-2105 gear lubricant, a demonstration program investigating the use of re-refined base stocks is in progress. This effort follows the approach used in the previously

discussed engine oil programs. In brief summary, a re-refined virgin base stock combination will be

formulated with an additive system used in qualified MIL-L-2105B lubricants. The finished product

will then be tested against the specification requirements. Based on the results of these tests, a decision will be made regarding the use of re-refined material under a future amendment or revision

of the specification.

To summarize, re-refined products are allowed for use under one engine oil specification,

MIL-L-46152B, and will be allowed for use under the soon to be issued MIL-L-2104D and MIL-L-46167A

documents. In addition, a program is in progress addressing the use of these materials in military

gear lubricants defined by the MIL-L-2105B specification.

49

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gai thersburg , MD, September 14-16, 1982.

(Issued July 1984).

CORRELATION ASPECTS OF A VIRGIN AND A RE-REFINED ENGINE OIL CONTAINING THE SAME ADDITIVES

P. L. Strigner

National Research Council of Canada

Division of Mechanical Engineering

Ottawa, CANADA K1A 0R6

1. Introduction

Over a three year period commencing early in 1979, Environment Canada and the National Research

Council of Canada carried out comprehensive comparative testing of a re-refined-base and a virginbase automotive engine oil, both containing the same additive package, i.e., the only difference

between the two being the base oil. Both oils were formulated to meet API service classification SE and SAE viscosity classification 20W-40 requirements. The virgin-base engine oil, being a commercial

formulation, was regarded as the reference oil while the re-refined-base engine oil, being an "experimental" formulation, was assessed for its potential use as a viable engine oil based on its

comparative performance to the virgin-base engine oil. The ultimate objective of the exercise,

supplemented by future testing of other formulations, was to determine the suitability of

re-refined-base engine oils for use in government vehicles.

The test program comprised four distinct parts preceding the compilation and presentation of

reports:

1) Laboratory bench testing and analyses of the base and finished oils.

2) Evaluation of the finished oils in engine sequence tests.

3) Field operation and monitoring of eight police patrol vehicles, four using the

re-refined engine oil and four using the virgin engine oil, over their normal

fleet lifetimes of 100,000 km.

4) Examination and rating of the eight field vehicle engines upon completion of the

field test period.

A paper was presented by Armstrong and Strigner at the 1982 SAE International Fuels and

Lubricants Meeting and Exposition, October 18-21, 1982, Toronto, Canada describing the test program

and giving results and concl usionsr.1] 1

. The following is an abstract of the paper:

A field test and laboratory analysis program, including the four SE engine tests, was carried out to evaluate the comparative performance characteristics of a virgin and

an acid/clay re-refined API-SE/SAE 20W-40 automotive engine lubricating oil under

selected operating conditions. The two oils had the same additive package. Eight

new police patrol cars, four on virgin and four on re-refined oil, were run in 1979/

80 under normal fleet operation and maintenance practices for 100,000 km. The fleet

oil change interval was 5000 km. All engines were disassembled and rated at the end

of their fleet service. There were no oil related problems. Engine vehicle parts

showed normal wear and deposits. Some small differences, however, were noted in the

used oil properties, engine sequence tests and field engine ratings. In general,

both oils operated satisfactorily and were considered substantially equivalent.

Additional data are presented in a number of ancillary reports [2-5]. This present report covers correlation aspects not covered in the reports already issued and, indeed food for thought because

figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

51
not all aspects could be dealt with. Correlation aspects include comparisons and possible

correlations notably among the engine sequence test data; between sequence and field test data;

among laboratory, sequence and field test data; and between laboratory bench test and analytical

data.

2. Base Oil Characteristics

The reference virgin base oil was neutral oil obtained by solvent refining of Western Canadian

crude. It has been widely- used as a base oil for engine oils. The re-refined base oil was obtained

by conventional acid/clay treatment in Western Canada principally of used engine oil drainings.

Some of the major physical and chemical properties are given in table Al of the appendix. Marked

differences are noted in viscosity index, total sulphur, total nitrogen, total chlorine and

emul sibi 1 ity. The high viscosity index of the re-refined oil may be due to a trace of VI improver

from the used oil, although it is interesting to note that the re-refined oil does have a markedly

lower level of low VI, singly ring saturates than the virgin base oil (table A2, appendix). Total

chlorine and emulsibility in the re-refined base oil are also due to trace used oil residues.

Table A2 in the Appendix shows hydrocarbon types analyses by two techniques. Considering

differences in technique, agreement is quite good. Hydrocarbon types/levels seem to be similar in the two base stocks except for the higher polars level in the re-refined oil (probably due to trace residues from used oil) and differences in the paraffinic hydrocarbons, the virgin oil having a higher single ring cyclo-paraff in content, but a lower noncycl o-paraf f i n content.

Table A3 in the appendix ^hows boiling ranges by simulated distillation. By and large the

re-refined base oil has a slightly lower overall boiling range than the virgin base oil (310 to 585 °C vs 340 to 600 °C).

3. Finished Oil Characteristics (Excluding Engine Tests)

Some of the principal finished oil properties (excluding engine tests) in comparison with

limits from specification MYL-L-46152A, the U.S. Army specification covering API SE and SAE 20W-40

oil, are given in table A4 of the appendix. As shown, the properties of the two oils are quite

comparable, meeting the limits from MIL-L-46152A.

4. Engine Sequence Test Data

Engine sequence data for four engine tests along with limits from API service classification SE are given in table A5 of the appendix. Only the L-38 and Sequence III D tests were performed as specified for the SE additive package used in the two oils. Sequences II C and V-C which were also

specified were not done owing to supersedure by the II D and V-D tests and the testing laboratory's

inability to carry out the former from lack of parts. In summary, then, SE tests L-38, II D, III D and V-D were performed on the two finished engine oils. The virgin and re-refined oils were tested

back-to-back in the same engine to minimize the effects of engine influence between tests. Variations in performance between the two oils as well as some failures to meet limits were

observed. These are noted in table A5.

5. Field Test and Data

Field testing was accomplished in eight Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) sedans. Details

are as follows:

o Eight 1979 Chevrolet Bel-Air sedans

o 2500 - 11000 km at start of test

o V-8, 5.0 liter (305 cu. in.) displacement

o RCMP city patrol police duty, round the clock (250 km/day)

o Lifetime: 100,000 km (1 year)

o Four sedans on each oil

o Gasoline, regular unleaded

o Oil & filter change at 5000 km

No oil related problems were encountered during the field trails. One vehicle, however, was removed prematurely from service due to an accident that did not involve the engine. Engine parts

from this engine, nevertheless, were examined and considered part of the overall data as the

kilometreage accumulation on it was high. Individual parts examination data are not recorded here

because of the large volume. Instead, only summaries are presented in the comparison/correlation

52
aspects tables, and references to individual data [1] made as required. General data in summarized

form giving average kilometres and oil change data for the two groups of vehicles are given in table

A6 of the appendix. While oil change intervals were set at 5000 km, in practice these were difficult

to maintain. In the extreme, there were some changes at 3000 km and others at 8000 km. The overall

average, as shown in table A6 , is higher for the engines on re-refined oil. Correspondingly, these

engines required on the average more oil top-up in the longer interval. On the average then,

re-refined oil staying longer in the engine was more heavily stressed than virgin oil.

Table A7 in the appendix shows average used oil analysis data for the two oil types. As shown

there are differences between properties of the two oils, generally such that the average re-refined

oil values are higher. Except for the average viscosity values which are markedly higher for the

re-refined oil, the higher average re-refined oil values tend to be accounted for by the longer

average oil change interval for this oil in the test vehicles. Individual averages for each of the

vehicles also show these trends. The markedly higher viscosity increase of the re-refined oil is believed to be due to the proportionately higher loss of light ends from the re-refined oil (table

1).

Table 1. Field test used oil viscosity vs boiling range vs oxidation

Vi rgi n Engi ne Oil Re- Ref i ned Enqi ne Oil New Used Used Used New Used Used Used

Car 215 217 Avg. 214 216 Avg.

Engine Kilometres 30846 11593 30947 14701

Oil Kilometres 3282 5983 5081 6586 7700 5463

Viscosity Inc. @ 100°C, cSt. 1.3 1.2 1.1 2.4 2.7 2.0

Viscosity Inc. @ 40°C, cSt. 3.6 23.2 14.7 38.7 43.9 29.5

IR Oxid. Prod. Inc. , abs/cm 3.8 9.8 12.2 17.4 25.9 15.7

IR Nitr. Prod. Inc. , abs/cm 2.6 9.0 7.4 4.1 15.7 8.6

Boiling Range, °F, IBP 646 656 685 585 641 648

5% 702 701 734 626 699 727

10% 725 720 755 707 719 752

50% 835 818 856 806 810 841

Individual average viscosity increases for the eight vehicles are also a function of oil change

interval, but there is a clear difference in the level of the increases based on oil type which

tends to be explained by the evaporation of light ends of the re-refined oil thus thickening it up. The evaporated light ends of the re-refined oil are not fuel diluents, but light lubricating oil

fractions. Table Al shows that the fuel dilution level of the re-refined base oil, botfi by ASTM

D322 and D3525, was substantially the same as that of virgin base oil.

6. Correlation Aspects

Correlation and possible correlations are presented in a number of tables followed by comments.

a) Comparative average engine rust data from the sequence II D test, field test and laboratory

beaker test (ASTM D665/A on base oils only) are presented in table 2.

Table 2. Engine rust (10 = Clean)

Test

Avg. Engine Rust 1 1

Overall Field

Lab Rust Test

3 (D665/A)

a on Base Oils, hrs to "F" or failure.

Vi rgi n Re-Ref i ned Limit

8.43 8.55 8.5 min

9.5 9.5

3 Hr. F <6 Hr. F

53
Clearly the field rust ratings are identical for the two oils, the overall average engine rust

of 9.5 for the two oils having been obtained from individual ratings of the four engines of 9.3 to 9.6 for the virgin engine oil and 9.4 to 9.6 for the four engines on re-refined engine oil.

Furthermore, individual push rod and valve lifter rust ratings ranged from 9.7 to 9.8 for all eight

engines. Correlation with the average re-refined II D engine rust rating is good owing to the pass

rating but only fair with the virgin oil rating which is a marginal failure. It is interesting to speculate whether possible trace rust inhibitor present in the re-refined base oil (note D665/A rust results) gave the re-refined engine oil a marginally better performance in the II D test. The

incidence of pitted cam lobes was also higher in the virgin engine vehicles (10 vs 2).

b) Comparative engine sludge data from three engine tests, L-38, II D and V-D, and field test are presented in table 3.

Table 3. Engine sludge (10 = Clean)

Test Vi rgi n Re-ref i ned Limit

Avg. Engi ne SI udge III D 9.3 9.6 9.2 min

Avg. Engine SI udge V-D 9.7 9.6 9.2 min

Avg. Engi ne SI udge (Overall) Field 9.3 9.2

Avg. Engine SI udge L-38 9.8 9.8

All results are in substantial agreement. They all have shown low sludge levels and more or less

equivalent average results for the two oil types. Both III D and V-D results meet requirements.

The closely agreeing overall average field results are confirmed by close agreement among average

individual engine sludge ratings and individual rocker arm cover, valve deck and oil pan ratings.

Generally, sludge ratings of individual engines exposed to virgin engine oil were indistinguishable

from those exposed to re-refined oil.

c) Comparative oil viscosity change data from the III D and L-38 engine tests, and field test are presented in table 4. In all tests, including all eight engines in the field test, the re-refined

oil showed higher viscosity after use, except 64 hrs in the III D when the virgin oil thickened to a gel while the re-refined oil did not. The virgin oil is judged to have thickened to a gel after 64

hrs. due to oxidation. The tendency for the re-refined oil to show generally a higher viscosity

increase than the virgin oil in the three tests (apart from the 64 hr III D test) is believed to be

due not to oxidation, but to loss of light ends of the base oil (table I).

For comparison some bench oxidation test data are given. These are ASTM D943, the turbine oil

oxidation stability test, (TOST) and two experimental tests being studied by NBS, i.e., modified

RBOT [6] and DSC [7], differential scanning calorimetry test. All show good results for both engine

oils, the TOST giving the virgin oil a slightly better rating, while the other two tests favoring

the re- refined oil.

Table 4. Viscosity change, %, and bench oxidation test data

Characteristic Test

Viscosity Change (%)

After 40 hrs (40 °C) III D 64 hrs (40 °C) III D Avg. 40 °C Field

" 100 °C Field

After 40 hrs (40 °C) L-38

40 hrs (100 °C) L-38

Modified RBOT break point (min) NBS[6]

TOST, hrs to TAN inc. of 2 D943

DSC NBS[7]

Onset Temp. , °C

Induction time, minutes

Vi rgin Re- refined Limit

47 62 375 max

>1000 113

13.5 27.7

5.5 12.7

-5.8 -1.3

-55.7 -35.2

186 222

1596 1512

253 259

29 42

54
d) Comparative engine varnish data from the L-38, III D and V-D engine tests, and field test are presented in table 5. The re-refined oil showed less varnish in the I I

I -D test, but more varnish in

the V-D test. Both oils behaved similarly in the L-38 test. While piston skirt, piston land and

cylinder wall varnish ratings were similar for the two oils in the field test, the virgin oil

engines showed less varnish on the rocker arms and timing gear covers. The virgin oil appeared to show less varnish under less severe (i.e., lower V-D operating temperature) conditions, while the

re-refined oil appeared to fare better under the more severe conditions of the III D test. It should

be noted though that the virgin oil gelled after 64 hrs of operation in the III D and probably

contributed in the gelled condition to added piston skirt varnish and ring sticking. Correlation of some of these data seem tenuous particularly field versus III D data on the virgin oil; the III D 64

hr test, considering the gelling of the virgin oil, would appear to have given invalid results for

correlation with the field data. There are suggestions of some correlations between V-D and overall

field engine varnish ratings though, the virgin oil appearing marginally better.

Table 5. Engine Varnish (10 = Clean)

Varni sh Test Vi rgi n Re-ref i ned Limit

Piston skirt varnish III D 8.7 9.6 9.2 min

Piston skirt varnish V-D 7.0 6. 7 6.4 min

Piston skirt varnish (average) Field 7.0 7.1

Piston skirt varnish L-38 9.5 9.65

Engine varnish (average) V-D 6.8 5.5 6.3 mi

Engine varnish " L-38 9.7 9.8

Engine varnish (overall) Field 6.9 6.3

Oil ring land deposit III D 6.7 8.0 4.0 min

DSC NBS[7]

Onset temp. °C 253 259

Induction time, minutes 29 42

Piston land varnish Field 2.0 2.3

TOST, hrs to TAN inc. of 2 D943 1596 1512

Modified RBOT break point (min) NBS[6] 186 222

Considering the bench tests as well, it would appear that the TOST lines up with V-D and field

data in favoring the virgin engine oil, while the modified RBOT & DSC line up with III D in favoring

the re-refined oil.

e) Comparative cam and lifter wear data are given in table 6. While the oils differ markedly in

their performances in the III D and V-D tests, their performances are not analagous. The virgin

engine oil performed better in the III D but worse in the V-D test. Their performances were substantially the same, on the average, in the field test. NBS in the modified Timken test found

substantially no difference in the performances of the two oils while indicating good anti-wear

characteristics.

Table 6. Cam and 1 i fter wear and timken bench test data

Test Virgin Re-ref i ned Limit

Cam Plus Lifter, urn III D Average III D 58.4 112 102 max Maximum III D 101.6 173 254 max

Avg. Lifter Wear Field 15.25 15.85

Cam Lobe, urn V-D Average V-D 17.8 10.2

Maximum V-D 22.9 12.7

Average Field 24.8 24.1

LCC

a (Newtons) NBS[8]

Timken 540 495

a Load Carrying Capacity

55
7. Conclusions

Good correlations were observed for both oils between field trial rusting and the sequence II D test, between field trial sludging and the L-38, III D and V-D sludge results, and among oil

thickening data from various tests. Correlations between field and engine tests in respect to wear

and varnish formation were somewhat mixed. Some good correlations were observed between laboratory

and field data and between laboratory and engine test data.

8. References

[1] Armstrong, J. ; Strigner P. L. A field and laboratory comparison of a re-refined and a virgin

automotive engine oil. SAE paper 821239. Presented at Toronto, Canada; October 18-21, 1982.

[2] Armstrong, J. Field test of a re-refined automobile engine oil in RCMP vehicles. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 584; 1979 October.

[3] Strigner P. L. ; Moroz G. ; Sabourin R. ; Burton G. ; and Bailey T. Comparative engine and

laboratory test data for a re-refined and a virgin automotive engine oil. Report No. MP-80;

Division of Mechanical Engineering; National Research Council Canada.

[4] Frame, E. A.; Kohl, K. B. Characterization and evaluation of re-refined engine lubricating

oil. Interim Report AFLRL No. 152. U.S. Army Fuels and Lubricants Research Laboratory;

Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX.

[5] Hawthorne, H. H. ; Lowe, J. Comparison of spent automotive engine oils by ferrography.

LTR-WE-26; National Research Council Canada; Division of Mechanical Engineering, Vancouver,

B.C., Canada; December 1981.

[6] Becker, D. A. NBS research on re-refined engine oil tests. Used Oil, The Hidden Asset. Proceedings of the fourth international conference on used oil recovery and reuse; Association

of Petroleum Re-refiners; 1981 September 28-0ctober 1. Las Vegas, Nevada.

[7] Walker, J.; Tsang, W. ; Szegvary, L. Comparative response of re-refined and virgin lub oils to additives by DSC. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[8] Ives, L. ; Boyer, P.; Ruff, W. Evaluation of wear behavior using a modified ASTM D2782 timken

test. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.)

Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

56
APPENDIX

Table Al. Some base oil properties

Vi rgi n Re-ref i ned

Color (D1500) L1.0 L3.0 API Gravity 29.7 29.6

Flash Point, °F (D92) 421 421

Viscosity, @ 100 °C, cSt 7.30 7.51

Viscosity Index 95 104 N-Penane Insolubles, % W. .000 .001

Ramsbottom Carbon Residue, % W. 0.09 0.17

Emul sibi 1 ity Characteristics (D1401), 60 min, mL

Oil 39 37 Water 38 29 Emulsion 3 14

Ash (D482), % W. .000 .002

Total Sulphur, % W, 0.09 .19 Total Nitrogen, PPM 45 5 Total Chlorine, PPM 0.2 18.6

Strong Acid No. Nil Nil

Total Acid No (D664) 0.02 0.10

Total Base No. (D664) 0.02 0.00

Sap. No. (D94) 0.18 0.25

Di lution

D322, % W. 0.6 0.4

D3525, % W. 0.02 0.03

Iron <1 1 Silicon <5 <5 Zinc <1 2 Calcium <10 <10

Barium <10 <10

Others 3 <1 <1

aCu, Pb, Al, Cr, Mg, Ni , Li, Na, Mn (Each is <1).

Table A2. Hydrocarbon types in base oils

by liquid chromotography (D2007)

HC Types, % W. Virgin Re-Refined

Saturates 77.7 75.4

Aromatics 21.4 22.6

Polars 0.9 2.0

by mass spectroscopy (D2786-71 (76))

Saturates, % W. Virgin Re-Refined

Paraffins 13.2 21.3

1- Ring 27.4 19.0

2- Ring 16.8 15.2

3 to 6 Ring 19.4 22.1

Mono Aromatics 2.9 1.

TOTALS 79.7 78.8

57
by mass spectroscopy (D3239-76)

Aromati cs , % W. Vi rgi n Re-Ref i ned

Alkyl Benzenes 4.4 5.4

Naphtheno-Aromatics 7.5 7 2+ Ring Aromati cs 4.5 5.6

Thio Aromatics 0.1

Other Aromatics 0.3 0.1

TOTALS 16.8 18.7

Total (includes mono arom. from sats. analysis) 19.7 19.9

Table A3. Boiling range (D2887), °C, (°F)

Virgin Re-Ref i ned

IBP 341(646) 307(585)

5% 372(702) 358(626)

10% 385(725) 375(707)

50% 446(835) 430(806)

90% 526(979) 520(968)

95% 566(1051) 550(1022)

FBP 600(1112) 585(1085)

Table A4. Finished oil properties versus specification limits

Virgin

Viscosity @ 100 °C, cSt. 13.71

Viscosity @ -18 °C (CCS), P 69.5

V I 128

Pour Point, °C, (°F) -32(-26)

Flash Point, °C, (°F) 229(444)

Phosphorus, % W. .132

Rams. Carb. Res. , % W. 1.07

Sulf . Res. , % W. 1.04

Total Acid No. (D664) 2.5

Total Base No. (D664) 5.7

Lithium, PPM 2.3

Calcium, PPM 2200

Zinc, PPM 1390

Re-Ref i ned MIL-L-46152A

13.92

55132

-34(-29)

227(441)

.137

1.14

1.08

2. 5 5.7

0.0

2200

1380

12.5 - 16.3

25-100

REPORT

-23 max (-9)

215 max (419)

. 14 max REPORT

REPORT

Table A5. Engine sequence test data

L-38 test

Vi rgi n Re-ref i ned L-38

BWL, mg 31.5 22.4 40 max

II D sequence test

Virgin Re-Refined II D

Avg. Engine Rust 8.43a 8.55 8.5 Min.

No. of Stuck Lifters NONE NONE NONE

58
Ill D sequence test

Vi rgi n Re-ref i ned III D

Viscosity Inc. @ 40 °C, %

After 40 Hours 47

After 64 Hours <1000

Avg. Eng. Ratings @ 64 Hours Sludge 9.3

Piston Skirt Varnish 8.

7

Oil Ring Land Deposits 6.7

No. of Lifters Stuck NONE

No. of Rings Stuck ONE Scuffing and Wear @ 64 Hours

Cam or Lifter Scuffing NONE Cam Plus Lifter Wear, urn Average 58.4

Maximum 101.6

Oil Consumption, Liters 5.60

Vi rgi n

Avg. Engine Sludge 9.7

Avg. Engine Varnish 6.8

Avg. Piston Skirt Varnish 7.0

Oil Screen Clogging, % 0 Oil Ring Clogging, % 0 No. of Compressor Rings Stuck NONE

Cam Wear, um Average 17.8

Maximum 22.9

62

113

9.6

9.6

8.0

NONE

NONE

NONE

112

173

5.37

V-D sequence test

Re-ref i ned

9.6

5.5

6.7

0

0 NONE

10.2

12.7

375 Max.

9.2 Min.

9.1 Min.

4.0 Min. NONE

NONE

NONE

102 Max. 254 Max. 6.03 Max.

V-D

9.2 Min.

6.3 Min.

6.4 Min.

10.0 Min.

10.0 Min. NONE

REPORT

REPORT

Failures are underlined.

Table A6. Field test - Km and oil. change data

Virgin Re-ref i ned

Total Test, Km (Avg)

Avg. Oil Change Interval, Km

Avg. Top Up, L/Oil Change

92000

5081

0.75

89000

5463

0.90

Avg. of 4 cars on each oil.

59
Table A7. Field test - used oil analysis

Virgin Re-ref ined

Metals, PPM

Iron 34 36

Al umi num 13 16

Chromium 3 4

Copper 3 3 Lead 159 177

Silicon 10 12

Tin <5 <5

Flash Point, °C 221(229) 220(217)

Dilution, % (D322) 0.6(0.4) 0.6(0.6)

TAN 3.9(2.5) 4.3(2.5)

TBN 0.8(5.7) 0.9(5.7)

PI (D893/A), Weight % 0.1 0.1

CPI (D893/B), Weight % 0.74 0.81

CBI (D893/B), Weight % 0.35 0.36

Resins (D893/B), Weight % 0.40 0.45

Viscosity Increase, cSt. @ 40 °C 14.7 29.5

@ 100 °C 1.1 2.0

Oxidation Products Inc. , IR abs/cm 12.2 15.7

Nitration Products Inc. , IR abs/cm 7.4 8.6

. of 4 cars on each oil. Some new oil data in parenthesis.

60
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gai thersburg , MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

DEVELOPMENT OF METHODOLOGY FOR ENGINE DEPOSIT CHARACTERIZATION

K. B. Kohl and E. A. Frame

U.S. Army Fuels and Lubricants Research Laboratory

Southwest Research Institute

San Antonio, Texas

1. Introduction

More than two billion gallons of lubricating oils are used each year in the United States. Approximately 50 percent of this total is consumed or otherwise lost during use [l] 1

. The remaining

one billion gallons per year of used lubricating oil are a significant and valuable resource. With

proper re-refining treatment, used oil can be utilized as a fuel, or, more importantly, it can be reused as a lubricant or lubricant basestock. The U.S. government has enacted important legislation

in recent years to encourage the utilization of this valuable natural resource [2].

In December 1975, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Public Law 94-163) was passed. This act instructed the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) to develop test procedures to determine the

potential "substantial equivalency" of recycled oil products to virgin oil products. NBS was required to transmit these test procedures to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for its use in developing trade regulation rules.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (PL-94-580) of 1976 called for a review of Federal

government specifications to allow for the purchase of products containing recycled materials. The

U.S. Army responded to this by conducting research on the feasibility of making military engine oils

from re-refined basestocks, which resulted in the revision of engine oil specification MIL-L-46152

to eliminate restrictions on re-refined oil use. Finally, the Model (States) Used Oil Recycling Act

of 1980 (PL-96-463) assists states in establishing control over used oil disposal.

The current NBS-Army program was initiated to obtain an additional data base on the comparative

performance of re-refined and virgin oils, and to investigate the potential "substantial equivalency"

of re-refined and virgin oils. A portion of the program included the development of an engine

deposit removal, recovery, and analysis methodology, which was used to compare engine deposits

derived from virgin and re-refined engine oils.

2. Development of Deposit Removal and Analysis Methodology Using

2.3-L Engine Parts

Development of methodology for the removal and recovery of engine deposits initially focused on solvent removal of deposits from Sequence VD engine parts. The recovered deposits were then

analyzed by a variety of instrumental and chemical techniques.

The cam baffle from a 2.3-L engine was selected for initial deposit removal because it was simple to wash and contained a reasonable amount of deposit. The entire cam baffle was sequentially

washed with the following series of solvents of increasing polarity or solvency power:

1) Heptane

2) Toluene (T)

3) Methanol (M)

4) Acetone (A)

5) TAM combination (equal volumes)

6) Methylene chloride

1 Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

61
Since the engine part surfaces are wetted with engine oil, it was decided to remove this oil

separately from the deposits to simplify the analysis of the deposits. Heptane was chosen to remove

this oil and any other readily soluble, low-polarity or low-molecular weight material. Toluene was chosen to dissolve the more polar or the higher molecular weight asphaltene materials. The

increasingly polar methanol, acetone, and TAM (equal volumes of tol uene/acetone/methanol ) dissolved

the more resinous, high-molecular weight deposits.

A final wash with methylene chloride removed the small amount of deposit remaining after the TAM washing. The solvent from each collected wash was removed using a vacuum rotary evaporator.

The collected deposit fractions were then analyzed for molecular weight and elemental content as shown in table 1. While this washing procedure removed the deposit, it was judged to be rather

difficult and too complex. It also allowed possible contamination of fractions with insoluble

matter loosened by the solvents. Thus, a modified procedure was developed which resulted in deposit

removal from the engine part with a solvent mixture of equal volume parts of tol uene/acetone/methanol

(TAM). The TAM mixture completely removed all deposits found on the cam baffle, rocker cover, oil

pump pickup tube and screen, and the front seal housing of the 2.3-L engine. This procedure was adopted to simplify the washing and filtration process and minimize contamination of fractions with

insoluble matter. The TAM washings were filtered to remove any suspended insoluble or metallic

particulate matter. The TAM solvent was removed with a rotary evaporator, and the soluble deposit

was recovered and weighed. The collected deposit was then subsequently extracted with n-heptane,

toluene, and finally, TAM. Each of these fractions was then recovered using solvent removal by the vacuum rotary evaporator. The recovered individual deposit fractions were then analyzed as shown in

table 2. Next, the deposits from 2.3-L engine pistons were removed and recovered. The piston

skirt, oil rings and oil ring grooves were washed with TAM. The resulting deposit was extracted

with heptane, toluene, and TAM as before. Finally, the piston crown, compression rings, lands and

grooves were washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Based on the work of Harris, et al . [3], DMF was selected as a more effective varnish removal solvent than TAM. The DMF washings were filtered

through a Whatman No. 541 filter to remove any suspended insoluble or metallic particulate matter. DMF was removed using a vacuum rotary evaporator, and the recovered deposit was solvent extracted

with sequential washes of heptane, toluene, TAM, and DMF. The analyses of the piston area deposit

fractions are presented in table 3.

Table 1. 2.3-L engine cam baffle deposit analysis

Wt% of

Recovered Data for Specific Soluble Fractions

Deposit Fraction3 Sol uble Mat 1 1 Avg

Mol Wt % S % N C/H

Ratio % C % H

Heptane Soluble 72 420 2.0 1. 0 6.7 83.4 12.5

Toluene Soluble 15 900 4.4 6. 0 8.8 67.8 7.7

Methanol Soluble 5 800 3.9 7. 0 8.7 59.9 6.9

Acetone Soluble 7 1300 2.5 5. 0 9 - 2

h 63.9 6.9 TAM Soluble 1 950 0.4 3. 0 IS

b IS IS Methylene

Chloride Soluble <1 1150 IS 4. 0 IS IS IS

a Engine part was washed sequentially with solvents; insoluble matter was not measured.

b IS = Insufficient sample.

62

I
Table 2. 2.3-L engine deposit analysis

Wt% of

Recovered Data for Specific Soluble Fractions

npnn^it UV..UU J 1 I Fraction^ 1 1 Uv t 1 UN

Sol uh 1

p

Mat' 1 AvgMol Wt % S % N C/H

Ratio /O V % H

Rocker Arm Cover

Heptane Soluble 69 420 1.1 1 0

cD 7 82 9

•3•J Tnlupnp ^oluhlp 19 770 1.8 3 o 9 1 67U / g 7 5 TAM Soluble 1470 1.9 •J nu 9 2 6 8

Oil Pump Tube

Heptane Soluble 59 400 1.2 1 0

cuQO 81 7 1 ? Tnlnpnp 1 U 1 UCl IL ^nlnhlp Jv 1 UU 1 C 31 635 1.4 3 n ao u uo a Oo TAM 1 ill I Soluble JU 1 UU 1 ^. 10 1625 1.4 5 o 9 9 6D 0o 6 2

Oil Pump Screen

Heptane Soluble 78 400 1.0 I 0 6 8 80 3 11 8 Toluene Soluble 10 560 1.5 2. 0 8. 3 70 4 8 4 TAM Soluble 12 1900 2.0 3. 0 9 7 60 5 6 2

Timing Gear Cover

Heptane Soluble 54 410 IS

b

1. 0 6. 8 81. 7 12 0 Toluene Soluble 27 610 IS 2 7 8. 9 68. 8 7 7 TAM Soluble 19 IS IS 2. 4 7. 3 61. 7 8 4

Deposit was removed, then exacted sequentially with solvents.

IS = Insufficient sample

Insoluble matter was not measured.

Table 3. 2.3-L engine deposit analysis for piston area

Wt% of

Recovered Data for Specific Soluble Fractions

Soluble "Avcj C/H

Deposit Fraction9 Mat 1 1 Mol Wt % S % N Ratio % C % H

Piston Skirt, Oil Rings and Grooves

Heptane Soluble 70 390 0.0 0.2 6.5 83 7 12 8 Toluene Soluble 18 450 0.7 0.7 8.5 73 3 8 6 TAM Soluble 12 570 1.7 1.7 8.3 61 8 7 4

Piston Crown, Compression Rings and Grooves

Heptane Soluble 47 380 0.0 0.4 6.8 83 1 12 3 Toluene Soluble 20 440 0.6 2.1 9.0 72 4 8 1 TAM Soluble 33 860 0.7. 2.6 11.4 64 4 5 DMF Soluble 1 a IS

D 2.4 11.9 61 5 5 2

aBeyond scope of method for DMF soluble.

^IS = Insufficient sample

Insoluble matter was not measured.

63
While the data presented in tables 1 and 3 were obtained primarily to aid in methodology

development, some interesting trends concerning the chemistry of Sequence VD deposits were revealed.

As expected, by using increasingly polar solvents, the extracted deposit materials were separated by

polarity and complexity. It is of interest to note that deposits from the lower temperature engine

areas such as oil pump screen and rocker arm cover had higher molecular weight polar deposits and

had higher nitrogen and sulfur contents than the deposits from the higher temperature piston areas. This could be due to thermal cracking of large molecules in the higher temperature piston areas.

Based on the 2.3-L engine deposit analysis work, a deposit removal, recovery, and analysis

methodology was finalized. This methodology is described in detail in the following section.

The piston deposits are removed in three steps. A mixture of TAM and DMF is used to wash the

piston, which removes essentially all deposits. The first step is to remove deposits from piston

skirts, oil rings, and oil ring grooves with the wash mixture. Secondly, the piston crown, compression ring, land, and groove deposits are removed. The third step is to remove deposits from

the undercrown portion of the piston. Figure 1 illustrates the piston wash areas. Washing the

parts in this order allows good separation of deposits from the separate areas of the piston, as the

wash is never allowed to flow across unwashed areas. The mixture of TAM and DMF allows simultaneous

removal of both oily deposits and high molecular-weight polar residues. Insoluble materials are also removed, suspended in the wash mixture.

3. Finalized Deposit Methodology

3.1. Piston Deposit Removal Procedure

WASH

CROWN

WASH

COMPRESSION RINGS,

LANDS, & GROOVES

WASHj

UNDERCROWN

Figure 1. Piston wash areas.

64
3.2. Piston Deposit Recovery Procedure

Washes from the three different areas of the piston are collected separately and subjected to a recovery procedure. A flow chart illustrating the engine part washing and deposit recovery

procedure is shown in figure 2.

The recovery procedure involves filtering through a Whatman No. 541 filter, then evaporating

the TAM/DMF wash mixture for a given piston area on a vacuum rotary evaporator. The residue

remaining in the evaporator is then agitated with heptane, in order to remove oils and nonpolar

materials. The heptane solution is filtered through a Whatman No. 43 filter and heptane is evaporated off with the rotary evaporator, producing the heptane-soluble fraction of the deposits.

The wash residue is then agitated with toluene in order to remove asphaltenes, and the toluene

solution filtered through the Whatman No. 43 filter and evaporated to produce a toluene-soluble

fraction. The same procedure is followed with TAM in order to isolate resins in a TAM-soluble

fraction, and with DMF to solubilize high-molecular weight polar residues. Each solvent wash is continued until the solvent coming through the filter appears colorless. No more than 4 liters of

TAM/DMF mixture, no more than 2 liters of the other solvents were used. The residue remaining in the No. 541 filter used to filter the original TAM/DMF part washing mixture for the piston area, and

the No. 43 filter used to filter solution during fractionation, form the insoluble residue fractions.

These fractions are composed of metals and insoluble carbonaceous materials.

3.3. Analysis of Deposits

Once obtained, fractions may be subjected to any analyses desired. AFLRL analyzed each deposit

fraction from each of the three piston areas for carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and qualitative

elemental content. An infrared scan was made on each fraction, and on soluble fractions, molecular

weights were determined. Quantitative elemental analysis was performed on insoluble fractions.

An infrared spectrum was obtained for each deposit fraction using a Beckman Microlab 620 MX Computing Spectrophotometer. When the fraction was a solid material, spectra were

obtained using a 13-mm KBr pellet formed in a vacuum die. For fluid fractions, spectra were

obtained using a demountable window holder. A small drop of the fraction was placed between NaCl

windows in the holder, and the resulting thin film was scanned.

Special attention was given to absorption bands around 1710 cm-1

, 1640 cm-1, and 1550 cm -1, as these give evidence of oxidation and nitration. The band near 1710 cm

-1 is due to the carboxyl

group (C=0); bands near 1640 cm

-1 to nitro compounds, and bands near 1550 cm

-1 to carboxyl ate salts

and nitro compounds. Typical spectra for representative fractions are shown in figure 3. Each of

these fractions shows a fairly large absorption near 1710 cm -1

, showing oxidation. The infrared

spectra were used to note the presence or absence of absorption due to oxidation and nitration in fractions and to observe trends. Due to small sample sizes and varied methods of sample preparation

from fraction to fraction, no quantitative work was attempted on these samples.

An EDAX International EXAM (Elemental X-ray Analysis of Materials) System and an EDAX model

707B Energy Dispersive X-ray Analyzer were used to make sulfur determinations and qualitative

elemental determinations. Sulfur was determined by dissolving fractions in TAM or DMF and comparing

with sulfur standards in these solvents. Qualitative elemental analysis was performed directly on fractions using no solvents.

Carbon and hydrogen analysis was performed according to ASTM D 3178 Carbon and Hydrogen in the

Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke. Nitrogen was determined using an Antek instrument based on the

chemi 1 umi nescence principle. Molecular weight was determined by vapor osmometry, using chloroform

or DMF as the solvent. Since samples must be dissolved for this method, molecular weight determinations were not made on insoluble fractions.

3.4. Briquetting Method Development

To better define insoluble residues in engine deposits, a briquetting method has been developed

for determining elemental content. This method employs an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence

spectrometer. An advantage of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis is the ability to simultaneously analyze for virtually every element with an atomic number greater than that of

sodium. The method may not be used to analyze for C, N, or 0.

G5
ENGINE PART

t DMF/TAM WASH

WASH SOLUTION INSOLUBLE

FILTERED NO. 541 WHATMAN FRACTION NO. 1

SOLUBLE FRACTION EVAPORATED

RECOVERED DEPOSIT

HEPTANE WASH

HEPTANE- SOLUBLE

FRACTION

SOLUBLE FRACTION EVAPORATED

SOLUBLE FRACTION

FILTERED NO 43 WHATMAN

TOLUENE- SOLUBLE

FRACTION SOLUBLE FRACTION EVAPORATED

NO. 43 WHATMAN

FILTER (above)

REMAINING

DEPOSIT

TOLUENE WASH

TOLUENE- SOLUBLE

FRACTION KREMAINING

DEPOSIT

TAM WASHREMAINING

DEPOSIT

TAM- SOLUBLE

FRACTION

SOLUBLE FRACTION EVAPORATEDNO. 43 WHATMAN

FILTER (above) TAM- SOLUBLE

FRACTION

DMF WASH

DMF

SOLUBLE

FRACTION

SOLUBLE FRACTION EVAPORATED

NO. 43 WHATMAN

FILTER (above)

1 INSOLUBLE FRACTION NO. 2

DMF- SOLUBLE

FRACTION

Figure 2. Engine part washing and deposit recovery procedure.

The briquetting method requires the mixing of a ground engine deposit residue with a plasticizing binder followed by pressing into a sample pellet and X-ray fluorescence analysis of the

pellets. The briquetting method was chosen as a means of analyzing samples which cannot be put into

solution without the errors involved in loose powder analysis, in which a reproducible measurement

is difficult to obtain.

Preparation of sample involves a preliminary grinding with a mortar and pestle to ensure a reasonably homogeneous sample. This is followed by grinding a mixture of Somar-mix additive and

sample, in approximately a 4:1 ratio, in a vibrating ball mill grinder. The Somar-mix is an organic, chemically inert substance which will not chemically react with sample materials or introduce any interfering X-ray spectra. The lubricious and abrasive constituents in the mix

intermix with the sample during comminution, uniformly reduce sample size, and produce a homogeneous

blend. The additive also serves as a briquetting agent, forming materials into "plasticized" sample

pellets which are firmly bonded together to uniform densities and which have smooth, unblemished

surface finishes for statistically reproducible results and minimized intensity variations. Pellets

are formed using compressible aluminum X-ray pellet cups in a 1.25-in mold assembly. In order to avoid thin, brittle pellets due to the small sample size used, the pellet cup is first filled

two-thirds full with Somar-mix and lightly pressed. The sample and Somar-mix mixture is then placed

on the pellet, and the sample is pressed at 25 000 pounds total load on a hydraulic press. The

resulting pellet is about 3/16 in thick with a smooth, highly plasticized surface.

66
a. Heptane Fraction

b. Toluene Fraction

.a :4;11. -4

+ - mntMiiinitirapM -4 f|pEi*-I^||||

+ 4 »WM|Pi \

! V. -. --f -\

e *

,

Y

4

-/

r-N 4 -4

! --

c. TAM Fraction

d. DMF Fraction

Figure 3. Representative IR spectra.
In the X-ray spectrochemical analysis of powdered materials, factors such as matrix composition, interelement effects, absorption, and enhancement play important roles in the analytical

accuracy of elemental determinations. In order to treat these factors, an XRF regression program

has been used in analysis of the samples. Standards were prepared using metal oxides or metal

hydroxides in similar proportions to those observed in qualitative examination of the deposits.

Interelement effects and matrix composition can be taken into account in the SRF regression program

and concentration versus counts per second calibration curves formed for each element observed.

Samples may be analyzed, and their counts per second entered in the program to produce weight

percent data.

The previously described deposit analysis methodology has been used to examine and compare

laboratory- and field-derived engine deposits for both virgin and re-refined engine oils [4].

Typical results are shown in the appendix. These results were obtained in a comparison of RCMP vehicles using re-refined and virgin basestock oils and in a comparison of Sequence III D tests using both oils [5]. This work suggested that deposits from the virgin and re-refined engine oils were very similar.

4. Summary and Conclusions

The following Summary and Conclusions are drawn from this work:

o A methodology was developed for the removal, recovery and analysis of engine deposits.

o Deposits were characterized based on their solubility using a variety of analytical

techniques.

o To aid in characterizing insoluble fractions, a briquetting method for XRF elemental

analyses was developed.

o The methodology has been used to examine deposits from virgin and re-refined engine oils

derived from both field and lab tests (AFLRL-152). This work suggested that deposits from

virgin and re-refined engine oils were very similar.

5. References

[1] Kimball, V. S. Waste oil recovery and disposal. Noyes Data Corporation; 1975.

[2] Kaufman, H. B. Recent used oil legislation. Proceedings of workshop on measurements and

standards for recycled oil; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 488; 1977.

[3] Harris, S. W. ; Eggerding, D. W. ; and Udelhofen, J. H. Analysis of the PV-1 test via used

oils. ASLE Preprint No. 80-AM-1B-2. Presented at the ASLE Annual Meeting; 1980 May 5-8; Anaheim, CA.

[4] Frame, E. A.; and Kohl, K. B. Characterization and evaluation of re-refined engine lubricating

oil. Interim Report AFLRL No. 152, AD A118573, prepared by U. S. Army Fuels and Lubricants

Research Laboratory, San Antonio; TX; December 1981.

[5] Armstrong, J. A. ; and Strigner, P. L. A field and laboratory comparison of Re-refined and

virgin automotive engine oil. SAE Paper No. 821239. Presented at Toronto Fuels and Lubricants

Meeting; October 1982.

68
Appendix

Deposit Distribution by Piston Areas Wt%

Re-ref i ned Oil Virgin Oil

Pi stons Pi stons Field Lab Field Lab

Number of pistons washed 16 4 8 4 Skirt 36.9 42. 3 30.1 47.5

Undercrown 6.0 15.9 6.7 9.9

Crown 57.1 41.8 63. 2 42.6

Total Weight, g 23.9843 2.9078 10.1642 3.9357

Avg. deposit

wt/piston, g 1.499 0.727 1.271 0.984

Deposit Distribution by Piston Area

and Fraction Solvent, Wt%

Ski rt Undercrown Crown

Re-refined Re-refined Re-refined

Fraction Field Lab Field Lab Field Lab

Heptane 56 74 18 72 5 70

Tol uene 10 2 19 8 8 4 TAM 17 1 16 11 50 3 DMF 17 22 48 9 37 24 TOTAL 100 100 100 100 100 100

69
70
71
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2

Cl

pq

ri: —

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I

t S S S 2 J

72
73

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gai thersburg , MD, September 14-16, 1982.

(Issued July 1984).

DEVELOPMENT OF A BENCH ENGINE SCREENING TEST

FOR MOTOR OILS

Daniel Heath

Franklin Research Center

20th and Race Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

1. Introduction

This presentation is a status report of a cooperative project funded by the U.S. Army MERADCOM,

NBS, and the Franklin Research Center. The initial phase of the project, the feasibility

demonstration, will be completed within the next several weeks. The theme of this conference was so

in line with our project that we planned this presentation knowing that the initial test results

might not be in-hand for today.

Our title, when the terms are explained, denotes the general concept which we are pursuing:

specifically, to provide a screening tool for the Sequence V-D Test, and which may later be adapted

to the other multicylinder and single cylinder oil specification engine tests.

2. Background

To explain the concept I have chosen the following definitions:

o Bench Test - involving process simulation often by way of glassware and a simplified mechanical simulation, configured to produce results at low cost.

o Screening Engine Test - a downgraded version of the full scale test which produces

results at moderate cost.

o Bench Engine Screening Test - utilizing a small slave engine to simulate the test process in conjunction with actual engine hardware separate from the slave

engine, all under especially precise control, with versatility (explained later)

and relatively low cost.

From Bench Engine Screening Test we form the acronym BEST; and for the Sequence V-D rendition we assign the name BEST-5.

3. Need

Very quickly one thinks of the high cost, extended length factors and often the limited

availability of Sequence test facilities. Beyond that the sometimes questionable precision of the tests is troublesome. Wear prediction in quantitative terms has been difficult. The mainstream

industry develops engine oils by reformulating up to the requirements of new military specifications

and industry classifications via a relatively high volume of testing to qualify in all of the

Sequence tests.

In the recycled oil business, quality control and basestock influence are the concerns which in the usual repetitive engine test context would translate into prohibitive costs.

4. Objectives

The sponsors of this work, therefore, agreed on the following objectives for the BEST-5:

o a nonproprietary test available to all;

o good correlation to the V-D test;

75
o good precision;

o short duration (48 hours?); and

o low cost (approximately $1000 in routine use).

In general, the test was to be adaptable, at least conceptually, to predict L-38, Sequence I ID , and

HID performance either individually or in "combined" concurrent operation. The combined test,

BEST-C, we conceive would run to completion in 48 hours and might cost about $2500.

5. Concept

Figure 1 summarizes the concept. The slave engine duplicates the essential combustion and

cylinder conditions only as a source of "live" blowby which can be precisely metered to selected

motored components of the Sequence test engine with speed/load/heat/ cooling and test oil conditions

astutely selected to provide the cooling desired severity and precision. Depicted in the lower half

of Figure 1 is the BEST-C concept with the four individual "prime" engine hardware subassemblies

concurrently being served by the one slave engine.

CONCEPT

APPROPRIATE FUEL APPROPRIATE OPERATION

SLAVE ENGINE

PRECISE

\ COMBUSTION CONTROL /

METERED BLOWBY

MOTORED OPERATION HEAT/COOLING INPUT

/ PRECISE \ \ FUNCTIONAL CONTROL/

BEST-2 SLAVE ENGINE

BEST-3

BEST-5 BEST-38

Figure 1. Concept

Let me say that we recognize the limitations of this concept, the foremost one being that

crankcase blowby is undoubtedly of a different character and constituency than is ring-zone blowby

which interfaces directly with the test oil in the Sequence tests, whereas, under our concept only

the crankcase blowby is metered out to the test oil/hardware section or sections.

In answer to that concern, we are prepared to use fast sampling valve techniques at the

cylinder wall to obtain the more reactive blowby species if our results suggest the need. On the

other hand, we certainly recognize the advantages of this concept. As regards the slave engine, we are able to concentrate on combustion specifics rather than agglomerate interrelated conditions

throughout the engine, since the test does not reside in the engine. Relative to the slave engine we are able to:

o control combustion, not net engine output;

o control quality of blowby, not quantity;

o operate at steady state, not cyclic; and

o preserve engine function rather than degrade the engine along with test oil.

76
With regards to the test hardware, we are able to:

o accentuate severe conditions without conventional constraints;

o control all severity inputs; and

o design for ultimate precision control.

The significance of these points is better appreciated within the specific context of the Sequence

V-D Test.

6. Sequence V-D Operational Analysis

Figure 2 lists operational parameters and features of the Sequence V-D Test. As the V-D test was developed cooperatively in the ASTM PV-1 Task Force and then has been groomed to the present

time, we have learned much about its functionality. Without the time constraints we have today, one could give a bit of a discourse at each point listed in the figure. Suffice to say that we have at least directional knowledge of the severity influences involved. Figure 3 summarizes the primary

effects under the headings of wear, sludge and varnish. We recognize the temperature-speed

transition as a severe boundary lubrication exercise for the camshaft with the listed factors

representing a sustained stress which tests the wear protection offered by the oil. Sludge severity

has been shown in ASTM cooperative work to be dependent on the deep cycling temperature effects.

Varnish severity is easily obtained using the V-D cycle without having an apparent especially

limiting parameter associated with it.

SEQUENCE V-D TEST

OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS

[SLUDGE-VARNISH-CAM/FOLLOWER WEAR]

JUDGED

SEVERITY FACTOR

• CYCLIC SPEED/LOAD

• CYCLIC TEMPERATURES

• HIGH BLOWBY, NO AIR VENTILATION

• RELATIVELY LOW OIL CHARGE

• HIGH OIL FLOW

• OIL AERATION

• NO OIL FILTER

• STOICHIOMETRIC A/F-RICH IDLE A/F

• ADVANCED SPARK TIMING (46°)

• HIGH EXH. GAS NOx (3000 ppm +)

• RELATIVELY HIGH FUEL DILUTION

(up to 10%)

• SEVERE FUEL (PHILLIPS J UNLEADED)

• 192 HOURS, 48 CYCLES (9000-10,000 miles)

Figure 2. Sequence V-D test operational analysis

Having then analyzed the full scale Sequence V-D Test, we configured the BEST-5 to accentuate

the severe conditions in steady-state operation.

7. BEST-5 Operating Regime

Figure 4 describes the configuration. The slave engine is an Onan RCK-MS (2 cylinder, opposed,

liquid cooled, 50 CID) operated constantly at governor controlled 1800 rpm and moderate power

output. The engine is coupled directly to an alternator which controls the engine load at a moderate level, via manual adjustment to predetermined constant absolute intake manifold pressure

and exhaust backpressure. This is a control technique with which we have become familiar in fuel

economy testing of oils. The technique reasonably well assures a constant energy input to the

engine. Obviously, the air/ fuel ratio must also be controlled. The coolant and oil temperatures

as shown in figure 4 were selected to resemble the most severe of the three stages of Sequence V-D operation (Stage I; high blowby, low temperature - favoring both NO and aldehyde formation).

7 7
DETAIL JUDGMENTS OF V-D SEVERITY FACTORS

WEAR

HIGH TEMPERATURE - LOW SPEED TRANSITIOI LOW TEMPERATURE AT CAMSHAFT —

LOW SPEED - HIGH STRESS —

BLOWBY ^^"^

FUEL DILUTION

•TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE ZDTP BOUNDARY LUBRICATION CONDITIONS SLUDGE LOW TEMPERATURE - HIGH TEMPERATURE CYCLE BLOWBY - NOx VARNISH

BASIC V-D CYCLE

Figure 3. Detail judgments of V-D severity factors

Only a precisely regulated, small amount of the slave engine crankcase blowby is metered to the

test oil sump. Perhaps the most significant feature here is that the blowby gas is metered directly

into the inlet of the primary oil pump. Obviously this gas produces oil aeration. The primary oil

pump is driven by a variable speed motor and consequently is utilized to control oil pressure. The

primary pump oil inlet is directly from the sump in which the two pumps are totally immersed and the

cylinder head is partially immersed. The outlet of the primary oil pump feeds the inlet of the

secondary pump which is modified to prevent any internal bypass. The function of the secondary pump

is to constantly circulate the oil under high pressure (120 psi) and high turbulent flow, through

either the hot or cold bath heat exchanger. The operation is set up to recirculate the oil rapidly,

making several passes through the exchanger before flowing on into the main pressure gallery of the

cylinder head. The oil gravity feeds from the cylinder head valve deck back to the sump.

The camshaft of the complete lash cylinder head assembly is motored at a constant 375 rpm. The

hydraulic lash adjusters are modified via a solid mechanical adjustment to hold the valves slightly

open rather than reaching full closure when the follower is on the base circle of the cam lobe.

The 40 gallon hot and cold reservoirs, containing hydraulic oil, pump constantly, looping

through the hot and cold bath exchangers respectively. Consequently, we have test oil on the tube

side exchanging heat with the hydraulic process control fluid (hydraulic oil) on the shell side.

The dual 3-way spool valve is hydraulically actuated to direct the test oil flow either to the hot

bath or cold bath exchanger in a 2-stage, 1 hour cycle (30 minutes hot, 30 minutes cold). One bath

exchanger is always stagnant and acts as a soak chamber to "process" the test oil under full 120 psi

system pressure.

To summarize the operating regime, the slave engine operates constantly to supply a surplus of severe blowby. A precise quantity of the blowby is constantly metered into the test oil system to generate a severe yet controlled oil aeration process. Primary and secondary oil pumps circulate

the aerated oil under high pressure and high flow turbulence conditions through the bath exchangers

providing simultaneous hot and cold conditions. The oil performs all lubricating functions for the

operating cylinder head at severe low/high temperatures and a constant severe low cam speed.

Figure 5 summarizes the conditions which favor the success of this regime in duplicating actual

Sequence V-D test operation. Most of the points I have already discussed either in relation to the V-D test itself or the BEST-5 regime. Two points, however, deserve explanation. First, the

8. BEST-5 Severity Bases

78
apparently unconventional concept of aerating the test oil is really not unprecedented. The

Sequence V-D test itself was plagued by this phenomenon in its early development, and in its present

form the aeration factor is held to tolerable limits (since there is no direct control over the

factor). The Sequence V-C test in the author's experience was also known to generate a low level of

oil aeration. Categorically, then, the employment of this mechanism may be considered within the

realm of realistic engine oil degradation chemistry. Secondly, implementation of simultaneous cool

and hot cylinder wall/combustion chamber environments offers a further means of duplicating in two days what the V-D engine undergoes in eight days. This flexibility is afforded by the distinctly

separate coolant jacket configuration of the Onan RCK-MS 2 cylinder opposed engine, i.e., one cylinder can be operated at high temperature while the other is maintained at a lower temperature

with the blowby from both mixing in the crankcase prior to being metered to the outside test oil sump. A similar scenario could deal with the concept of using two air-fuel ratios. The author's

experience in the development of the Sequence V-D test wherein exhaust gas carbon monoxide levels were carefully studied justifies these considerations.

BEST-5 OPERATING REGIME

Slave Engine

2 cyl., opposed, 50 CID

liquid cooled

1600 rpm (constant) Constant IMV + EBP absolute

7 BHP approx (not controlled) 135°F coolant (constant) 160°F oil (constant)

50° BTDC spark timing

Positive Displacement Blowby Metering Pump

0 to .3 cfm

Var. Spd. Motor

Const. Spd.- C Pump

Motor

tr120 psi

Sump _|_ Complete 2.3 I Ford

Cylinder Head Assy. w/Solid Lash Adjusters

Motor

375 RPM

Constant

HOT BATH EXCHANGER

AND SOAK CHAMBER

40 GAL HOT RESERVOIR

250°F

>|COLD BATH EXCHANGER

AND SOAK CHAMBER

40 GAL COLD RESERVOIR

120°F

Figure 4. BEST-5 operating regime.

9. BEST-5 Precision Basis

Figure 6 summarizes the precision features. In each itemized category the full scale engine

test, the Sequence V-D, functions without precise parameter control and the BEST-5, by the design of

its operating regime, is able to function with either no natural variations involved or under

precise direct control.

10. BEST-5 Operating Conditions

Having developed the concept to this point, we can now examine in figure 7 the operating

conditions chosen for the initial feasibility study. Forty-eight one-hour cycles comprise the test. Stages I and II are each 30 minutes in duration. For development puposes many other parameters,

such as oil flow rates, coolant flow rates and temperature gradients, will be examined. Certain

parameters such as ignition timing, not shown in figure 7, will be controlled at levels compatible

with the overall balance (interdependence) of the system.

79
BEST-5 SEVERITY BASIS

• CONSTANT LOW SPEED CAMSHAFT OPERATION

(375 rpm)

• CYCLIC HIGH-LOW TEMPERATURES (250-120°F)

• BLOWBY AERATING TEST OIL (PRECISELY

CONTROLLED)

• HIGH PRESSURE, HIGH TURBULENCE

BLOWBY-OIL INTERFACE

• BLOWBY FROM LOW TEMP HIGH NOx ENGINE

• BLOWBY FROM PHILLIPS "J" TEST FUEL

• DUAL PHASE OIL ENVIRONMENT (ALWAYS

HOT AND COLD)

• SMALL TEST OIL CHARGE, NO FRESH

OIL ADDED

• INCREASED CONTINUOUS AND PEAK VALVE

SPRING LOAD (VALVES DO NOT CLOSE)

i!• AIR FUEL RATIO STOICHIOMETRIC AND RICH < J AT SAME TIME (VIA 2 CYL. ENGINE WITH 2 g ! CARBURETORS AND COMMON CRANKCASE)

P j« CYLINDER WALL TEMPERATURES HIGH AND

O | LOW AT SAME TIME (VIA 2 CYL. OPPOSED

1 ENGINE WITH SEPARATE COOLANT JACKETS)

Figure 5. BEST-5 severity basis.

BEST-5 PRECISION BASIS

• NO TRANSIENT SPEEDS (ENGINE OR

CAMSHAFT)

• PRECISION SPEED CONTROL OF CAMSHAFT

• NO LASH ADJUSTER VARIATION (VALVES DO

NOT CLOSE)

• VALVE GUIDES WELL LUBRICATED (NO SEALS)

• NO OIL CONSUMPTION

• OIL TEMPERATURES CYCLED PRECISELY

(BATH CONCEPT)

• NO BLOWBY VARIATION TO TEST OIL (METERED)

• BLOWBY GENERATED VIA CONSTANT

COMBUSTION (NO BREAKIN EFFECTS)

• OIL FLOW CONDITIONS CONTROLLED

Figure 6. BEST-5 precision basis.

80
BEST-5 OPERATING CONDITIONS

TOTAL TEST LENGTH: 48 HOURS, 48 CYCLES

STAGE

TIME, min. Cam Speed, rpm

Oil Gallery Temp., °F Soak Oil Temp., °F

Blowby, cfm

Oil Gallery Pressure, psi

I II

:30 :30 375 ± 5 120 ± 2 250 ± 2 250 ±2 120 ± 2 0.10 ± .02 120 ± 2

Engine Speed, rpm 1800 ± 25 Intake Vacuum, in. Hg absolute selected Exhaust Back Pressure, in. Hg abs. selected Coolant Outlet Temp., °F 135 ± 2

Oil Sump Temperature, °F 160 ± 2 Exhaust Gas, %02 .5 %CO RECORD

ppm NOx approx. 4000 Blowby, cfm >0.5

Figure 7. BEST-5 operating conditions.

11. BEST-5 Rig Configuration

The mobile BEST-5 test rig is presently fully assembled at the Franklin Research Center engine test laboratory and receiving its final service connections (electrical, exhaust, and cooling)

figures 8, 9, and 10 depict the physical layout of components. The inclined cylinder head/sump

assembly is encased and insulated to minimize ambient temperature effects. The overall bench is approximately 6 ft. long by 3 ft. wide and 5 ft. high. As indicated in the figures, the bench is on wheels and has a self contained fuel supply. Figures 8, 9, and 10 as overlay drawings progressively

highlight the systems functions.

12. Test Result Format

Figure 11 summarizes the manner in which Sequence V-D test results are paralleled. Use of the

2.3 litre Ford rocker arm cover permits exact duplication of some rating areas. The wear results in their entirety are identical to those of the V-D test. The BEST-5 sump configuration offers

similarity to the sump of the V-D engine. A piston skirt varnish rating as obtained in the V-D test

is obviously not available. However, we intend to explore whether a correlation may exist between

cam bearing varnish deposits and piston skirt varnish.

In order to enhance the rating accuracy we are incorporating removable rating surfaces for

varnish and sludge deposits. These modules, by design, have deposit depth or comparative varnish

intensity pockets to help eliminate some of the suhjecti veness of the traditional deposits rating

methods.

13. Final Procedure Development

Within the next few weeks we anticipate shakedown operation to begin and by this November to:

o establish significant severity

o evaluate 2 Seq. V-D reference oils

o adjust the operating conditions as needed

81
o show a similar performance ranking as in the V-D

o demonstrate the precision with 3 repeat tests

o evaluate other V-D reference oils.

Completion of these items is expected by the end of the year.

Oil Pump Drive Blowby

Oil Loop

Control Panel

Figure 8. Bench engine screening test for motor oil under

Development at Franklin Research Center.

Cam Drive

Figure 9. Bench engine screening test for motor oil under

development at franklin research center

82
Cooling & Heating Loop & R

Figure 10. Bench engine screening test for motor oil under

development at franklin research center.

BEST-5 TEST RESULT FORMAT

-CAM LOBE WEAR — DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT

CAM FOLLOWER - WEIGHT LOSS, MG. SLUDGE RATING — CRC MANUAL 12

AVG. SLUDGE.

(1) ROCKER COVER

(2) VALVE DECK

(3) CAM BAFFLE

(4) SUMP BAFFLE

(5) SUMP

VARNISH RATING - CRC MANUAL 9

(1) ROCKER COVER

(2) CAM BAFFLE

(3) SUMP BAFFLE

(4) SUMP

(5) CAM BEARINGS

ALL EXCEPT CAM BEARINGS DESIGNED

WITH SPECIAL MODULE SURFACES

WHICH ARE SELF-INDICATING FOR

BOTH VARNISH AND SLUDGE DEPOSITS

3)-*- (AVG. VARNISH

[CAM BEARINGS MAY SHOW CORRELATION

IwiTH PISTON SKIRT VARNISH OF V-D

Figure 11. Test result format.

83

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings., Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS , Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

The ASTM/NBS Basestock Consistency Study

Donald A. Becker

Recycled Oil Program

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

The ASTM/NBS Basestock Consistency Study was initiated in 1980 and completed in 1983. It's purpose was to help provide the technical data base required for the NBS Recycled Oil Program. In the study, six re-refined and four virgin lubricating oil

basestocks were obtained monthly from different manufacturers. These oils, along

with control samples, were characterized by 14 cooperating laboratories with over

50 different tests yielding over 65 different values per oil sample. The results

and data analyses are compiled in a 500 page report, and are thought to be the most comprehensive ever obtained on lubricating oil basestocks.

1. Introduction

Early in the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) work on recycled oil, it became clear that the

most important requirement for assuring the quality of re-refined engine oil was the development of

a set of test procedures capable of monitoring the consistency and additive response of a re-refined

oil basestock. These procedures would help assure a consistent product between qualifications of

the formulated oil through use of the ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) engine

sequence tests.

To help provide the technical data base necessary to develop and select this proposed set of

test procedures, a study was needed which would provide lube oil basestock characterization data on re-refined and virgin oils over a substantial period of time. Therefore, in 1979, NBS proposed to ASTM Technical Division P that a cooperative basestock consistency study be initiated. In this

study, as many tests as possible would be used to extensively characterize monthly production

samples for both commercial re-refining companies and virgin oil refiners. This effort was approved

by ASTM in June of 1979.

The ASTM/NBS Basestock Consistency Study (BCS) was initiated in early 1980, when six commercial

U.S. re-refined oil producers and four virgin oil producers began submitting monthly samples of

their regular production basestock for analysis by a group of 14 cooperating analytical

laboratories. These ten suppliers had been selected as representing the widest variety and most important types of automotive lubricant basestocks available at that time. The monthly production

samples were provided to NBS in 55-gallon drums. NBS then thoroughly mixed the drums, subdivided

the samples and coded them before transfering them in groups each month to the analyzing

laboratories.

Each group of samples sent to an analytical laboratory had a control sample in it, identified

only with a code number in a similar way as the samples. This control sample was part of a five-drum batch of virgin oil that had been thoroughly homogenized in a large vat before shipment to

NBS. The control sample was added to provide a means to monitor the consistency of the analyzing

laboratory for a particular test procedure. The 14 cooperating laboratories analyzed the samples

using over 50 different chemical, physical and performance tests, providing more than 65 different

characteristics on each sample. It should also be noted that one particular laboratory analyzed all of the oil samples for that particular test, in order to eliminate the i nterl aboratory variability

from the test results. In a few cases, a second laboratory repeated the test on the complete set of

samples.

In addition to the monthly production samples of 55-gallon drums from each manufacturer, NBS obtained 5-gallon cans of oil from each manufacturer in the middle of each month. The purpose of

these 5-gallon samples was to have them available for further evaluation of the 55-gallon monthly

oil samples, in case the analytical results showed that a particular sample was extremely different

from previous samples from that same manufacturer. Since the analytical results would only be

obtained well after the time of production, the determination of whether an outlier was really a

85
momentary outlier or occurred over a substantial period of time could only be determined with

samples already taken. To date, analysis of these middle samples has not been found necessary.

The data contained in the report of this study is a compilation of the results from these tests

on 13 monthly production samples from each oil, 116 samples, representing 65 re-refined oils from

six producers (one ceased operation during the study) and 51 virgin oils from four producers. With

the addition of 16 control oil samples, a total of 132 oil samples were analyzed. The data has been

statistically evaluated, and for many of the tests the results have been graphed using one or more techniques, in order to better visualize the relative consistency of the oils and/or test data. All of this information has been published in a 500 page report [l] 1

. The table of contents of the

report and the list of cooperating analytical laboratories are contained as appendices to this

paper. Also included as an appendix is the data and statistical plots for one test, Refractive

Index (ASTM D 1218). This will provide the reader with an example of the treatment afforded each of

the tests included in this study.

2. Conclusions

The data generated in this study provides the technical information and data necessary to establish the consistency of re-refined lubricating oil. It is thought to be the most comprehensive

data ever obtained on either virgin or re-refined lubricating basestocks, and has been used

extensively by NBS in the evaluation of tests for re-refined oil basestock consistency [2]. In addition, these stocks of oils have provided a number of re-refined oils for use by ASTM technical

committees as samples of re-refined oils for round-robin studies of individual test procedures.

Grateful acknowledgement is made to all of the manufacturers, analysis laboratories, and

coordinators have contributed so much to this study. The work of the NBS Tri bochemi stry Group

for the logistics and data evaluation is particularly appreciated. It is hoped that all of the

tremendous effort represented here will be useful to many people for multiple purposes.

3. References

[1]. Weeks, S. J., Becker, D. A., Hsu, S. M. ASTM/NBS basestock consistency study data, NBSIR

83-2707, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Washington, DC 20234; 1983. (Also to be published as NBS

Special Publication 661 and DOE Report No. D0E/BC/10749).

[2]. Becker, D. A., Hsu, S. M. NBS provisional tests for re-refined engine oil, Proceedings,

Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV, Nat. Bur. of Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Pub! . 674; 1983.

figures in brackets indicate literature references at the end of paper.

86
Appendix I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

fage

Foreword (National Bureau of Standards)

Foreword (American Society for Testing and Materials) • • 1

I. THE ASTM/NBS BASESTOCK CONSISTENCY STUDY - 1

A. Organization and Scope- « ——, 2

B. Data Presentation- 2

II. RHEOLOGY - —- 4

A. Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C and 100 °C - 5

B. Viscosity Index - 25

C. Low-Temperature Viscosity by Brookfield Viscometer— 35

D. Apparent Viscosity by Cold Cranking Simulator 46

E. Critical Starting Temperature by Cold Cranking Simulator-- 72

F. Borderline Pumping Temperature by Mini -rotary Viscometry-- 75

III. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES - 78

A. API Gravity - — 79

B. Boilina Ranee Distribftion by Gas Chromatography 85

C. Cloud Point-- - - - - --- 125

0. Pour Point ———— _ 128

E. Color------ ———— 131

F. Fire Point— —— 137

6. Flash Point—- - — - 140

H. Odor Comparison--- — 143

1. Refractive Index—-— 145

IV. CH&MICAL PROPERTIES ——— - 148

A. Carbonyl , Nitrates, Tertiary Carbon and P-O-C Absorption

by Infrared Spectrometry 149

B. Carbonyl and Nitrates by Differential Infrared

Absorption Spectrometry — 161

C. Saponification Number — 167

0. Total Acid Number - — 170

E. Nitrogen 173

F. Sulfur- — - 176

6. Oxyaen —— ——— — 179

H. Halogens — 182

1. Carbon Residue — 189

J. Water —- —- - 192

K. Ethylene Glycol — — 195

I. Sulfated Ash — - 198

M. Total Metals 201

N. Metals - 204

0. Silicon 216

37
V. HYDROCARBON TYPE ANALYSIS — — — 217

A. Saturates — 218

B. Aromatics by LC, TLC, UV, MS, and Extraction-— 237

1. Monoaromatics— - —------ —._— 247

2. Diarcmatics — - - 260

3. Triaromatics 273

4. Polycyclic Arcmatics 276

5. Polycyclic Aromatics and Polars 282

C. Polars by LC and TLC — — 292

D. Sulfur Compounds by MS 300

E. Isoprenoid Ratio by nmr •• 302

F. Linear/Total Hydrocarbon by nmr 305

G. Polyisobutylene by nmr— —--- 308

VI. GENERAL PERFORMANCE TESTS - 309

A. Demul sibil ity — - 310

B. Filterability - 346

C. Sediment- 365

D. Foaming Tendency 368

E. Rust - —- 377

F. High Temperature Copper Corrosion 383

G. CD/SE Additive Ccmpatability 384

H. Storage Stability - 392

VII. OXIDATION AND WEAR BENCH TEST PERFORMANCE 402

A. Rotary Bomb Oxidation Test (RBOT) 403

B. Turbine Oil Oxidation Stability Test (TOST)- 409

C. Antioxidant Capacity 412

D. Load Wear Index (LWI } — - — 415

E. Differential Scanning Calorimetry ——— 418

F. Lubricant Thermal Oxidation Test (LU3T0T) 427

G. Oxygen Uptake Test— 430

H. Sequence III Simulator- 436

APPENDIX I Sample Numbering System and Data Table for

Repeated Samples 439 APPENDIX II Test Methods and Summaries- - 449 APPENDIX III Additional Data- 4S9

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT—- — ~ " 494

88
Cooperating Laboratories

ASTM/NBS Base Stcc'K Cor.s i ster.cy Study

Bartlesville Energy Technical Center

Chevron USA

Filnite Oil Corporation

Gulf Research and Development CorporationLubrizol Corporation

Meradconi (U.S. Amy)

Mobil Research and Development Corporation

Motor Oils Refining CcmpanyNational 3ureau of Standards---

Kational Research Council of CanadaSavant, Inc.

Shell Research Ltd. (Thornton)

Suntech GroupTexaco, Inc»

89
Appendix III

ASTM/NBS 8ASEST0CK CONSISTENCY STUDY

TESTI REFRACTIVE !NOfi« fUNIYSI A3TM 01216 LABORATORY t N

VUiGIN OASESTOCK 1 REF I RE-REFINEO 0ASESTOCK3

DATE 1 A a c 0 1 E F c H J K HAH ao 1 1 .47*9 1 .4700 1 .4793 1 .4837 1.4009 1 .4038 1 .40 39 1 .4036 1 .4864 I .4826

APR s 1 .4733 1.4014 a .4796 1 .4790 1 .4033 1.4803 1.4037 1 .4049 1 .4833 1 .4069 MAY ao t 1.4740 1.4020 1 . 4 797 1 .4707 I .4e36 1.4804 1 .4032 1 .4043 1.4852 1 .4861

J UN 0 0 i 1.4746 1.4818 1 .4004 1.4786 1 .4036 1 .4806 1 .4040 8 .4078 1.4839 1 .4846

JUl. ao 1 1 .4739 1.4023 1 .4019 1 .4796 1 .4036 1.4006 1 . 4039 1 .4043 1 .4030 1 .4839 AUG a o 1 1 .4770 1 .4020 ( .4810 1.4788 1 .4836 1.4006 1 .4040 1 .4830 1.4046 1.4048

SEP 6 a a 1.4773 1.4831 ! .4032 1.4789 1 .4036 1.4817 1 .4838 1 .4041 1.4029 1.4847

OCT 80 3 1 .477S 1 .4026 1 .4030 1.4783 1 .4031 1.4C11 .4830 1 .4 844 1.4831 1.4842 NOV e o t 1 .4767 t .4030 a .4019 1.4782 1 .4836 1.4813 1 .4832 ! .4824 1.4040 1 .4830

OEC so a 1.4774 1.4826 i .40 10 1.4704 C .4036 1.4829 1 .4836 •! .4830 1 .4836 1 .4802 JAN a t 1 1 .4700 1 .4024 * . 4819 1.4701 1 .4633 1 .4826 .4034 1.4641 1 .4047

F £ 0 a 1 1 1.4701 1.4831 t .4811 1.4701 a . 4 835 1.4034 1 .4831 1 . 4036 1 .4830 1 .4849

MAR a t < 1 .4784 1 .4853 i .4809 1.4782 1 .4836 1.484 1 1 .4831 1.4043 1.4842 1 .4049

MEAN 0 t .47630 1.40269 i . 40114 1.47869 1. 48333 1.48110 1 .48368 1. 484 IS 1.40431 t .48327 1. 40413 sto.oev. s .00136 .00102 00129 .00047 000 1 3 .0000 1 .00042 00 1 36 .00000 .00087 00133

MIN 1 1 .4746 1.4 01 « 1 .4788 1 .4701 a .4831 1.4003 1 .4828 1 .4824 1.4829 1.4042 1 .4826 MAX t 1 .4704 1.4639 i .4832 1.4796 I .4837 1.4029 1 .4841 ' a .4078 1 .4836 1 .4869 1 .4849

90
REFRACTIVE INDEX

MONTH

91
REFRACTIVE INDEX

1.4900

1 .4875 —

1.4850-

q 1.4825-

2

| 1.4800

1.4775

1.4750-

1.4725

92
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD , September 14-16, 1982.

(Issued July 1984).

MULTIPLE REGRESSION ANALYSIS: A LOOK INSIDE THE ASTM/NBS BCS DATA

S. J. Weeks and S. M. Hsu

Chemical Stability and Tribology Group

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

ABSTRACT

The ASTM/NBS Basestock Consistency Study was designed to assess the consistency of re-refined

lubricating basestocks. Historically, the quality of a lubricant is defined by the ASTM engine

sequence tests. For virgin base oils, the crude source and refining process are required to remain

constant for quality control of the finished product. Concerns arose over the variability of the

base oil when used oils were used as the feedstock for re-refining. These concerns necessitated a new evaluation of the consistency criteria for re-refined oils.

The goal of the BCS work was to assess the consistency of re~refined base oils in comparison to corresponding characteristics of virgin base oils. The BCS compiled data of samples submitted

monthly from four virgin and six re-refined base oil products. These samples were analyzed over a 13 month period by 14 cooperative laboratories. Over 55 tests were performed on 132 samples. Many

tests had multiple data entries and some tests were performed by more than one laboratory. The test

data and preliminary statistical information can be found in references [1] and [2] 1

. The tests were grouped into six categories: (1) rheology; (2) physical properties; (3) chemical properties;

(4) hydrocarbon type analyses; (5) general performance tests, and (6) oxidation and wear bench

tests. Statistical methods were used to evaluate the significance of the BCS data.

Assessment of re-refined base oils in comparison to virgin base oils required that data sets be

examined both separately and jointly. Therefore, both univariate and multivariate statistical

methods were used. The BCS data were examined for features such as location, dispersion, randomness,

distribution, col 1 inearity , outliers, leverage points, and nonlinearity [3,4]. These results showed

the average values of re-refined base oil properties and indicated how much these values could be

expected to vary in production over an extended period.

The descriptive univariate statistics determined the mean, dispersion, range, and distribution

characteristics of the individual test results. Deviations from test means, time sequences, and

distribution plots (vs. base oil producer) were subsequently generated for purposes of intercomparison. Bivariate analysis (e.g., cross correlation coefficient) was used to identify highly

correlated test results so that the data could be reduced to a set of linearly independent test

methods. Multivariate analysis (e.g., principal component analysis) was used to further investigate

test interdependences.

Sample consistency was evaluated using graphical analysis (deviation from mean plots), extreme value selection by statistical stripping methods, rank-sum analysis and cluster analysis. Using

these statistical methods, criteria for identifying inconsistent samples were developed. Finally,

the correlation of the performance test results with the base oil characteristics was investigated

using multiple linear regression analysis [3,4]. Transformations of variables were used whenever

appropriate to normalize variable distributions, to investigate nonlinear effects, and to enhance

the explanatory power of the regression model.

2. References

[1] Becker, D. A.; Hsu, S. M. ; Weeks, S. J. Lubricating oil basestock data and analysis: Based on the ASTM-NBS basestock consistency study; DOE Report No. DOE/BC/107949-2; U.S. Department of

Energy 1983.

Figures in brackets indicate the literatures references at the end of this paper.

93
Weeks, S. J.; Becker, D.A. ; Hsu, S. M. ASTM/NBS basestock consistency study data, NBS Spec.

Pub! 661; 1983.

Weeks, S. J.; Hsu, S. M. Development of consistency criteria for recycled lubricating oil

basestocks (submitted for publication).

Weeks, S. J.; Hsu, S. M. A critical assessment of lubricating basestock parameters for quality

and consistency, ACS, Division of Petroleum Chemistry Symposium Preprint, 188th National ACS

Meeting, August 26-31, 1984, Philadelphia, PA.

94
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS , Gai thersburg , MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

THE CONSISTENCY OF VIRGIN BASESTOCKS

Herbert S. Golinkin

Amoco Chemicals Corporation

P.O. Box 400

Naperville, Illinois 60566

The two main areas of concern in discerning the equivalency of re- refined and virgin

lubricants are the establishment of criteria for evaluating re- refined and virgin

basestocks, and the determination of variances that can be tolerated. As a supplier of

additives to the lubricant industry, Amoco Chemicals Corporation receives many basestock

samples each year. This paper will attempt to show the limits of variability observed

for six broad viscosity grades of virgin basestocks over a seven-year period. Certain

trends over this period are indicated. Single basestock variability from three suppliers

will also be examined.

1. Introduction

The primary areas of concerns in establishing the equivalency of re-refined and virgin

lubricants are the determination of criteria for evaluating equivalency, and the variances in these

criteria that can be tolerated. A major step in the acceptance of re-refined lubricants was the

issuance of MIL-L-46152B which allows the use of re-refined basestocks. This specification requires

that certain properties of the basestocks be stated for both re-refined and virgin materials used in

a formulation. These properties are expected to be consistent over the four-year life of the LRI approval

.

As a supplier of additives to the lubricant industry, Amoco receives fifty to one hundred

basestock samples per year. In addition to the LRI required inspections (table 1), analyses are conducted which help formulate finished lubricants (table 2). This paper will attempt to show the

limits of variability in these various properties for six broad viscosity grades of virgin basestocks as observed over a seven-year period, 1975 through 1981.

2. Experimental

The inspections required by the LRI (table 1) have been obtained by the methods described in the MIL-L-46152B specification. Those not falling under the specification were obtained as indicated in table 2. The mass spectroscopic analysis for hydrocarbon type sees only the volatile

portion of the basestock. This is approximately the same part that is observed in the simulated

distillation. Up to 250N, the entire basestock is examined. Some of the heavier base stocks are completely volatilized, but progressively less material is observed. For these the hydrocarbon type

analysis is more of a fingerprint than a quantitative distribution.

3. Results

The neutral basestocks have been divided into six broad categories by viscosity grade (table

3). Over the seven-year period, 222 samples that fall into these six categories were analyzed. To depict the trends of the nineteen variables for each basestock, ever 4000 pieces of data are needed.

In order to simplify the presentation, industry trends are shown in figures 1 through 19. One year

averages for each variable were determined within each category, and standard deviations for these

averages obtained. A range of two standard deviations was plotted for each year, and an envelope

drawn about the seven ranges. These curves show the variability observed for a given parameter, and

the trend, if any, over the seven-year period. This method gives rise to 114 graphs depicting

trends for basestock properties within the industry. The wide range of variation apparent in each

parameter is the result of differences in basestocks between suppliers. It should not be taken as a measure of the ability to control the quality of any single product. The gyrations of the envelopes

from year to year are due, in part, to sampling variations. Not all suppliers' products were

sampled at the same frequency, nor were they all sampled each year. Although indicating the typical

properties of basestocks that can be expected, these curves do not indicate the ability of individual

95
suppliers to control the quality of basestocks with respect to these characeristics. To fill this

gap, table 4 shows the mean values and standard deviations for nominal 100N basestocks from three

refiners.

Table 1. Lubricant review intitute requirements

Viscosities at 40 °C and 100 °C D445

Viscosity Index

API Gravity

Pour Point

Carbon Residue

Chlorine

Sulfur

Color

Sulfated Ash

Total Acid Number

Saponification Number

Nitrogen

Boiling Point Distribution D2887

1% point

5% point

10% point

50% point

90% point

Table 2. Basestock characterizations

Basic Nitrogen ASTM D2896

Methyl Protons

Methylene and Methyene Protons Fourier Transform Nuclear

Magnetic Resonance

Benzyl ic Protons

Aromatic Protons

Paraf f i ns

Naphthenes Low Resolution Mass Spectroscopy [l] 1

Aromatics

D2270

D287

D97

D524

X-ray fluorescence

D2622

D1500

D874

D664

D94

D3228

Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

96
Table 3. Viscosity classification

Nominal Viscosity

Classification

100N

150N

200N

300N

500N

600N

Viscosity Range at 40°C

(SSU)

95 to 110

140 to 160

180 to 220

260 to 340

450 to 550

560 to 650

Company

Viscosity, cSt

40°C

100°C

Viscosity Index

API Gravity

Rambottom

Carbon, %

Sulfated Ash, %

Nitrogen, ppm

Basic Nitrogen, ppm

Sulfur, ppm

Distillation Points, °F 1%

5%

50%

Proton Distribution, %

Methyl

Methylene and Methyne

Benzyl ic

Aromati c

Hydrocarbon Distribution, %

Paraffins

Naphthenes

Aromatics

Table 4. Consistency of 95-110N basestocks c

A B

20.93

0.89

4.07

0. 1288

8 31.8

0.4

0.043

0.046

0.003

0.009

3718

30

13 3934

1795

606

31

643

26 753

7

29.0

0.7

64.9

1.3

4.8

0.7

1.2

0.3

26.5

3.3

54.8

4.7

18.6

2.2

20.18

0.61

4.09

0.11

102

5 32.5

0.4

0.043

0.037

0027

1720

11 2388

1202

558

17 617

9 768

9

28.5

1.2

65.4

1.1

4.8

0.7

1.3

0.4

28.7

3.3

53.2

5.3

18.1

3.3

21.70

2.12

4.20

0.26

94

6 32.6

0.6

0.064

0.071

0.013

0.018

12

1011

11 146

161

605

13 658

13 760

10

30.1

1.4

65.8

1.2

3.4

0.9

0.7

0.2

25.8

3.8

61.1

5.7

13.1

3.1

The first number is the value of the property, the second number is the standard deviation of

that value.

97
4. Discussion

The viscosities at 40 °C (fig. 1) and 100 °C (fig. 2), are the most constant of the properties

observed. Since these are the basis upon which gas oil cuts are made to produce lubricant

basestocks, this constancy is not surprising. It is controlled by the refining process and not the

crude feed.

150

100

„ 50 w

u6150 I

-100 >

8

50 u

in >150

100

50

0

mm

e f j i i i 1975 1977 1979 1981 1975 1977 1979 1981 Year

Figure 1. Kinematic viscosity a 40 °C, cSt. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N:

e) 500N; f) 600N.

The viscosity index depends upon both the refining process and the crude feedstock. Higher

viscosity indices have been associated with higher paraffin content, but the correlation coefficient

between these properti es is only 0.2. The breadth of VI values for the 100N and 150N basestocks

(fig. 3) can be attributed in part to small errors in viscosity determination. An error in the

100 °C viscosity of a 100N basestock can alter the observed viscosity index by six units (table 5).

API gravity is shown in figure 4. Except for the 150N and 200N categories, there has been a slight trend toward reduction of the API gravity with time. This may indicate a reduction in the extent to which the gas oil cuts are further refined either by solvent extraction or hydrotreati ng.

The Ramsbottom carbon, shown in figure 5, appears to have reached peak levels between 1978 and

1980. Sulfated ash has been determined only since the inauguration of MIL-L-46152B in 1979. The

data (fig. 6) indicate a definite reduction in metals content over the three-year period paralleling

the Ramsbottom carbon trend. However, there is no direct correlation between these properties

(correlation coefficient = -0.06).

Nitrogen levels shown in figure 7 undergo fairly large fluctuations with time which can be due to variations in crude or to the extent of hydrotreati ng and solvent extraction. Basic nitrogen (fig. 8) is the TBN of the basestock expressed as nitrogen (1 TBN = 250 ppm N). This assumes that the basicity is due

only to compounds such as amines, pyridenes, quinolines and the like.

The increased use of sour crude in refining operations in recent years is expected to result in higher levels of sulfur in the finished product. Figure 9 shows that this expectation is unrealized.

Only the 300Ns show such a trend, although a hint of increasing sulfur levels is afforded by the 600Ns

since 1978.

98
Figure 2. Kinematic viscosity at 100 °C, cSt. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N;

f) 600N.

The one percent, 5 percent, and 50 percent distillation points are displayed in figures 10 through

12. The heavier neutrals show increasing front end volatility since 1979, but the midpoint has remained

fairly constant.

Nuclear magnetic resonance provides an intimate view of the molecular environment. Figure 13 shows a constant level of methyl protons independent of the viscosity grade. Except for the 600Ns, the methylene

and methyne (fig. 14) and benzylic (fig. 15) proton levels are also constant. The aromatic protons (fig.

16) show a slight increase with time (most noticeable for the 150, 500, and 600 neutrals), but smaller

than the variability in that property.

The hydrocarbon type analysis demonstrates a steady trend toward increasing levels of paraffins (fig.

17) , accompanied by a decreasing level of naphthenes (fig. 18). The aromatics content is virtually flat

(fig. 19). Hydrotreating increases naphthenic levels which implies that hydrotreati ng may be coming less

important.

The trends observed with the basestocks we receive can be taken as industry wide trends only if the

samples are representative of existing production at the time. Since these samples extend over a large

number of refiners, there is no reason to doubt that these trends are real.

The data in table 4, which is limited to three refiners, shows the control that is maintained over

individual products. In each case, the variation is smaller than indicated by figures 1 through 19. In terms of the LRI inspections, there appears to be very little to differentiate the products from these

companies except for the lower sulfur content in Company C's product. However, Company C's product is higher in naphthenes and lower in aromatics than the other two.

5. Conclusions

On an industry wide basis, various trends in basestock properties are apparent over the seven-year

period between 1975 and 1981. However, the wide range encompassed for each of these properties approximates the magnitude of the observed change. Only the reduction in sulfated ash during the period 1979-1982

is larger than the breadth of values for any given year. A close look at single products by refiner might

be expected to reduce the breadth of property values, and emphasize the observed trends. However, for

three nominal 100N basestocks, the variability in product is quite small.

99
80 -

1975 1977 1979 1981 1975 1977 1979 1981 Year

Figure 3. Viscosity index. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; 3) 500N; f) 600N.

Table 5. Viscosity index of a 100N basestock

(Viscosity at 40°C = 19.19 cSt)

Viscosity at 100°C, cSt Viscosity Index

3.95 100

3.91 94

3.87 88

Year

Figure 4. API gravity, a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N; f) 600N.

TOO
0.4

0.2

0.4

8 0.2

<3 °- 4

0.2

0.0 1975 1977 1979 1981 1975 1977 1979 1981 Year

Figure 5. Ramsbotton carbon, %. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; 3) 500N; f) 600N.

0.10

0.05

,0.10

1 0.05

0.10

0.05

0.00 1975 1977 1979 1981 1975 1977 1979 1981 Year

Figure 6. Sulfated ash %. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N; f) 600N.

101
1975 1977 1979 1981 1975 1977 1979 1981 Year

Figure 7. Nitrogen, ppm. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N; f) 600N.

Figure 8. Basic nitrogen, ppm. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N; f) 600N.

102
15000

10000-

Year

Figure 9. Sulfur, ppm. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N; f) 600N.

800

Year

Figure 10. 1% distillation point, °F. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N

f) 600N.

103
Figure 11. 5% distillation point, °F. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N;

f) 600N.

Figure 12. 50% distillation point, °F. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N

f) 600N.

104
Figure 13. Methyl hydrogens, %. a) 100N ; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N;

f) 600N.

70

Year

Figure 14. Methylene and methyne hydrogens, %. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N;

e) 500N; f) 600N.

105
10

1975 1977 1979 1981 1975 1977 1979 1981 Year

Figure 15. Benzylic hydrogens, %. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N

f) 600N.

Figure 16. Aromatic hydrogens, %. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N

f) 600N.

106
Year

Figure 17. Paraffins, %. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N; f) 600N.

80

Year

Figure 18. Napthenes , %. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N; f) 600N.

107
I

I l

i I I l_ [_

1975 1977 1979 1981 1975 1977 1979 Year

Figure 19. Aromatics, %. a) 100N; b) 150N; c) 200N; d) 300N; e) 500N; f) 600N.

6. References

[1] Robinson, C. J. Analytical Chemistry 43: 1425; 1971.

The author would like to thank Amoco Chemicals Corporation for permission to publish this

paper.

108
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS , Gaithersburq, MD, September 14-16, 1982.

(Issued July 1984).

EVALUATION OF TEST METHODS FOR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

OF RE-REFINED LUBRICATING BASE OILS

S. J. Weeks and S. M. Hsu

Tribochemi stry Group

Materials Chemistry Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

ASTM standard test methods for determining physical characteristics of

lubricating oil basestocks were selected, applied to re-refined base oils, and the

results evaluated. The test methods evaluated were: color, viscosity, pour point,

API gravity, density, flash point, boiling range distribution by gas chromatography,

and refractive index. In addition, some properties derived from the above measurements were calculated. These included viscosity index, carbon distribution and

structural group analysis by the n-d-M method, average molecular weight, and the

viscosity-gravity constant. The evaluated test procedures were applied to most of

the currently existing, commercially-available re-refined base oils. All of these

standard test procedures except three were found to be acceptable when used with

re-refined base oils. Modifications to the density, boiling range distribution and

refractive index test methods were developed which made them acceptable for use with

re-refined base oils. These modifications are described.

1. Introduction

Physical property measurements are routinely performed on lubricating oil basestocks to assure quality control. In the past, virgin oil refiners controlled the feedstock source as well as the

refining process to ensure product quality. For re-refined base oils, it is needed to establish (1)

the applicability of available test methods to these oils, and (2) the range limits for physical

property measurements of these products.

Although much emphasis has been placed on oil recycling over the past decade, prior to the

National Bureau of Standards (NBS) work a systematic effort to establish the applicability of

physical property test methods to re-refined base oils had not been made. A series of base oils and

test methods were selected to provide this data, with the oils representing most of the current

re-refining process technologies in the U.S. at this time. A total of ten re-refined basestocks was obtained for this study.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Committee D-2 on Petroleum Products, has

developed methods [l] 1 for the determination of color, viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, API gravity, density, estimation of molecular weight, boiling range distribution by gas chromatography,

flash point, calculation of structural group analysis by the n-d-M method, calculation of the

viscosity-gravity constant, and refractive index. Some of the above properties are derived from the test measurements. Some or all of these physical properties can provide guidelines [2] for the

evaluation of quality control and of possible contamination by indicating the following physical

characteristics: appearance, flow, mass, volatility and composition.

The test methods selected were applied to ten re-refined oils. These oils are described in table 1. The methods and their results were evaluated with respect to their practicality, effects

of potential impurities or contaminants, and precision. Modifications of the boiling range

distribution by gas chromatography and refractive index test methods were made. One test, a digital

density test method, was developed at NBS and a modified version has recently been adopted as an ASTM test procedure. These test procedures were then established [3] as being applicable to re-refined lubricating oil basestocks. The set of oils given in table 1 comprise the oils for which

the tests methods were evaluated. The test methods and data are presented in tables 2 and 3. The

derived properties are given in tables 4 and 5. In the following sections each test method is discussed separately.

Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

109
Table 1. Feedstock source and processing technologies of the ten re-refined base oils

Feedstock Source

Geographical Area

Mid-West (US)

Southwest

Southeast

West Coast

Northeast

South

Northwest

Canada

West Coast

Northeast

Table 2. Physical property values of the re-refined oils

Sample

Code

K.Vis.

40 °C

(cSt)

K.Vis.

100 °C

(cSt)

VI (units)

N20

(units)

Color

(units)

API Gravity

(°API)

Density

at 20 °C

* . -3

(kg-m

Pour Point

(°C)

Flash

Point

(°C)

K 81 91 9 45 90 1 48810 5 5 28. 9 833.55 -11 241

L 57 71 8 10 108 1 48328 6 5 29. 8 874.21 - 8 201

M 73 46 9 36 104 1 48486 6 5 29. 4 878.02 -10 215

N 60 26 8 35 108 1 48422 5 0 29. 7 875.95 -13 203

0 48 20 6 80 94 1 48626 4. 5 29. 1 878.99 - 8 218

P 78 66 9 92 106 1 48526 4 5 29. 1 878.17 -10 226

Q 66 56 8 85 106 1 48547 6 5 29. 4 879.08 -10 203

R 52 71 7 39 100 1 48254 3 0 29. 8 874.81 -11 200

s 79 46 9 95 105 1 48556 5. 5 28. 9 880.18 - 8 211

T 41 45 6 38 102 1 48671 8. 0 28. 7 881.14 -15 174

no

Oi 1 ID Viscosity Grade Processing Technology

RA 200N Pretreat/Vac.dist./

Clay finish

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RC 350N Acid/Clay

RD 300N Acid/Clay

RE 400N Caustic Pretreat/

Vac. dist.

RF 350N Acid/Clay

RG 300N Acid/Clay

RH 250N Acid/Clay

RI 350N Acid/Clay

RJ 200N Acid/Clay
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111
Table 5. Carbon distribution and structural group analysis

by the n-d-M method

Sampl

e

Code %c

A %C

R %CP s h

R_H

K 7. 7 7 34 .91 27 . 14 _65 .09 0 449 2 511 2 063

L 5. 97 31 .88 25 .92 68 12 0 346 2 274 1 928

M 5. 78 32 .54 26 .75 67 46 0 349 2 433 2 084

N 6. 29 31 .99 25 .76 68 .01 0 369 2 311 1. 941

0 8. 59 35 . 31 26 72 64 69 0 446 2 250 1. 804

P 6. 14 31 .90 25 .76 68 10 0 381 2 466 2 085

Q 6. 19 33 .13 26 94 6 b 87 0 369 2. 451 2. 082

R 4. 79 34 15 29 36 65 85 0 263 2 294 2 031

S 5. 31 33 22 27 91 66 78 0 330 2 579 2. 249

T 7. 95 36 40 28 45 63 50 0 414 2 335 1. 921

'Composition expressed in terms of carbon distribution as the percentage of the total number

of carbon atoms that are present in: aromatic ring structures (%C^); naphthene ring structures

(%C

N

); total ring structure (%C^); and paraffin chains (%C^).

'Composition expressed in terms of the proportion of: aromatic rings (R

A

); naphthene rings

(Rj.); total rings (Rj); and paraffin chains (C ) that would comprise a hypothetical mean molecule.

2. Color

Color is an appearance characteristic. It is a three-dimensional property in terms of

brightness, hue, and saturation. Color has both physical and psychological meaning.

Color is often indicative of the degree of refining. After a color range has been established

for a particular grade of lubricating oil, color provides a quick visual test for uniformity and

possible contamination. However, oils with different composition can appear to have the same color.

Therefore, color is not a sufficient test by itself to judge product quality. Re-refined oils may contain higher levels of oxygenated compounds, which are generally somewhat darker in color.

The method selected to evaluate the color of re-refined base oils was ASTM D1500, "ASTM Color

of Petroleum Products (ASTM color scale)" [1]. This is a well established test method for the

evaluation of virgin lubricating oils.

2.1. Physical Basis

In the establishment of this test method many years ago, the color of lubricating oils was determined by comparison with 16 glass standards developed by Hellige Inc., in accordance with

specifications by NBS [4]. The spacing between the color standards is intended to be perceptually

uniform. These standards for the ASTM color scale were selected by comparing 49 oil samples by the

substitution method using a photoelectric colorimeter with tristimulus filters. The one-dimensional

color scale that was constructed cannot be applied to all oils, but by choosing color standards that

correspond to the average color of an oil, difficulties introduced by off-color oils are minimized.

112
The colorimeter used for ASTM D1500 is a color comparator. The sample is placed in a standard

jar and visually compared to standards until the operator obtains a color match. The results are indicated on a scale from 0.5 to 8.0, with the letter "L" indicating the sample is lighter than a recorded color standard, if no exact match is found.

2.2. Evaluation

Test method ASTM D1500 required no modifications for the measurement of color in the re-refined

oils selected. The data for the ten re-refined base oils are given in table 2. No sample required

dilution to determine its color. The range of color observed was L3.0 to 8.0 with an average of

L5.5. The data are an average of a minimum of three measurements over an eight-month period, during

which no change in color was observed due to exposure to the atmosphere or normal room lighting.

All data were within the ASTM D1500 precision limits [3]. ASTM D1500 provides a valid, rapid and

low-cost test procedure, which is applicable to re-refined base oils.

3. Viscosity

Viscosity is a flow characteristic. It is a measure of a liquid's internal resistance to flow

of one liquid layer in relation to another at a given temperature. Viscosity varies inversely with

temperature--the viscosity-temperature relationship depends on chemical composition, and is described by the viscosity index (VI). VI is an arbitrary number calculated from the viscosities of

oils at 40° and 100 °C. For oils of similar kinematic viscosity, the higher the viscosity index,

the smaller is the effect of temperature on its kinematic viscosity.

Viscosity is often the first consideration in the selection of a lubricating oil for the

protection of moving surfaces. The load carrying capacity of a lubricant depends largely upon viscosity. Viscosity is generally the most important controlling property for the refining,

blending, and applications selection of lubricating oils. Engine lubricants are classified into

individual grades of oil according to their viscosity. The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)

classification is commonly used for this purpose [5]. This classification provides a useful guide

to the selection of the proper viscosity oil for the intended use under different temperature

ranges.

Viscosity is an important parameter for base oil manufacturing since it represents the

molecular weight range of different "cuts" from a distillation unit.

The test methods selected for evaluation with re-refined oils were: ASTM D445, "Kinematic

Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and the calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)," and ASTM

D2270, "Calculating Viscosity Index from Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C and 100 °C" [1]. The

precision data in D445 were obtained using five mineral oils covering the kinematic viscosity range

from 3 to 1200 cSt at temperatures from 38 to 99 °C. These tests are used to measure the viscosity

characteristics of virgin lubricating oils.

3.1. Physical Basis

Viscosity, n, > is defined by Newton's law, which states [6,7] that at a given point in a fluid,

the shearing stress, S, is directly proportional to the rate of shear, R:

S = qR •

The viscosity of a Newtonian oil changes with temperature but not normally with shear rate, unless

specific additives—which may not be shear stable--are included to modify the viscosity-temperature

characteristics [8]. Thus for base oils, the rate of flow of the oil through a capillary is directly proportional to the pressure applied. The relation is given for capillary tubes by the

Poiseuille equation:

/,Pr4 V n ~ ^8VF ) t '

where P is the pressure, r is the radius of the tube, £ is the length of the tube, and V is the

volume of liquid flowing in time t [6,7].

113
The viscosity is measured, for most practical purposes, by timing the flow of a fixed amount of

oil through a calibrated glass capillary tube under gravitational force at a standard temperature.

This is the kinematic viscosity of the oil, and is generally given in units of centistokes (cSt), cm2 -s _1

. Kinematic viscosity, which is defined as viscosity divided by density, can be converted

into dynamic viscosity by multiplying by the density at the specified temperature. The units then

are given in Poise (P): g-cm

-1

-s

-1

.

This test and procedure is applicable to liquid petroleum products, both transparent and

opaque, and is intended for application to liquids for which the shear stress and shear rates are proportional [1]. At the test temperatures, lubricating oil basestocks satisfy this criterion and

may be considered "Newtonian Fluids."

In the kinematic viscosity method, ASTM D445, the "time is measured in seconds for a fixed

volume of liquid to flow under gravity through the capillary of a calibrated viscometer under a reproducible driving head and at a closely controlled temperature. The kinematic viscosity is the

product of the measured flow time and the calibration constant of the viscometer" [1].

3.2. Evaluation

ASTM D445 did not required any test procedural modifications for evaluation with re-refined

basestocks. The data are listed in table 2 for the ten re-refined basestocks. All values are an average of at least three sets of values measured over at least a six month period. The range of

these values is from 40 to 82 cSt, with an average of 64 cSt.

The precision listed in D445 is for "clean, transparent oils." All oils appeared to be

homogeneous and free of suspended matter. A study using centri f ugation performed on used oils [9]

showed the magnitude of the effect of particles did not affect viscosity measurements within the

repeatability limits of the test procedures. Transparency was not a problem, since no difficulties were encountered in determining the position of the meniscus as the oils flowed through the

capillary viscometer. All data were within the precision of the D445 test method [3].

ASTM D445 provides a precise, rapid and low-cost test procedure for the measurement of

kinematic viscosity in re-refined base oils.

3.3. Derived Properties

Measurement of viscosity index (VI) is very important for basestocks because of the relationship between VI and composition. Modern refining techniques and the use of additives allow oils to be produced with high VI 1 s with most crude sources. Viscosity index can be used for quality control

on the re-refining processes to indicate hydrocarbon composition.

In addition to VI, several other viscosity parameters can be calculated or estimated.

Kinematic viscosity at a temperature different from the test temperatures can be calculated using

ASTM D341, "Viscosity-Temperature Charts for Liquid Petroleum Products" [1]. If desired, the

Saybolt viscosity, which is often used in manufacturing processes, can be calculated from the

kinematic viscosity using ASTM method D2161, "Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to Saybolt Universal

Viscosity or Saybolt Furol Viscosity." An estimation of the mean molecular weight of petroleum oils

from kinematic viscosity measurements can be calculated by ASTM D2502, "Estimation of Molecular

Weight of Petroleum Oils from Viscosity Measurements." These derived properties are listed in table

4 for reference.

The viscosity index, VI, compares the rate of change of viscosity with temperature of the

sample with the rates of change of two types of oil having the highest and lowest viscosity indices

at the time (1929) when the viscosity index scale was first introduced. A standard paraffinic oil was given a VI of 100, and a standard naphthenic oil a VI of 0. Equations were developed for the

relationships of kinematic viscosities at two temperatures and the VI scale for oils with VI between

0 and 100. In 1964, ASTM adopted an extension to the tables, and an equation for oils with VI 1 s greater than 100.

ASTM D2270, "Calculating Viscosity Index from Kinematic Viscosity at 40 and 100 °C," gives

procedures to calculate VI for oils with a VI up to and including 100, and for oils with a VI greater than 100.

ASTM D2270 is an appropriate method for re-refined basestocks.

114
4. Pour Point

Pour point is a low- temperature flow characteristic. It is defined as the lowest temperatun

at which an oil is observed to flow under controlled cooling. Low- temperature fluidity depends 01 the type of feedstock, method of refining, and the presence of pour point depressant additives.

The pour point is a guide to, and not an exact measure of, the temperature at which flow ceases under the service conditions of a specific system. Because in practice, the size and shape of the

container, the pressure of oil, and the physical structure of the solidified oil all influence the

tendency of the oil to flow [8,10], pour point will therefore only give an estimation of the amount

of oil flow to the bearings at low temperatures, which is critical to the prevention of bearing

failure and minimization of engine wear during and immediately after the motor is started [11]. In service, the oxidation stability of the oil, as well as the tendencies of the oil to polymerize and

to form oil-insoluble products, will also affect the low temperature fluidity [12,13]. Determinination of pour point is of value for: quality control, storage planning, indicating low- temperature

fluidity, determining efficiency of the dewaxing process, and indicating presence of pour point

depressant, viscosity index improver and fuel or water contamination, in the re-refining process. Pour point cannot be used to predict: low- temperature pumpability or cold weather startabi 1 i ty

.

ASTM D97, "Pour Point of Petroleum Oils," was selected as the method to evaluate lowtemperature flow characteristics of re-refined basestocks, and is the method generally used for

lubricating oil basestocks.

4.1. Physical Basis

Lubricating oils contain straight-chain paraffin molecules which tend to form wax crystals at moderately low temperatures. Branched chain paraffins, naphthenes, and aromatics show less of a tendency to form crystals and may actually congeal. The temperature at which a lattice of wax crystals forms trapping the liquid, or the entire body of oil congeals, thus preventing flow under

gravity, is the pour point. The pour point of wax-containing oils can be reduced by addition of

pour point depressants which inhibit the growth of wax crystals.

Pour point by D97 is determined by initially heating the sample in a standard test jar

containing a thermometer, and then cooling the sample at a specified rate and procedure while

examining the sample for flow characteristics at specified intervals. The lowest temperature at which movement is observed is recorded as the pour point.

4.2. Evaluation

Petroleum oils contain components with a wide range of molecular sizes and configurations. The

pour point is, therefore, difficult to determine precisely because the transition from liquid to solid is a gradual one, with the oils becoming more or less plastic solids or supercooled liquids

when cooled to sufficiently low temperatures. Also, the pour point of some oils may be affected by

their previous thermal history. In fact, pour point reversion may occur.

The ASTM D97 test procedure ASTM D97 was found to be time-consuming. In addition, some experimental conditions were hard to reproduce exactly. Experimental conditions which lacked

precise control were: amount of sample disturbance, cooling rate, and determination of solidification. However, no modification of D97 was necessary for the measurement of pour point on re-refined

oils. Data on measurements of re-refined basestocks by this test are presanted in table 2. The

range of values for these base oils is from -8 to -18 °C, with an average of -10 °C. The precision

of the method is within that stated for virgin oil basestocks [3].

ASTM D97, "Pour Point of Petroleum Oils," has been evaluated with re-refined oil basestocks and

has been found to be an acceptable test procedure for the measurement of the pour point of re-refined

oil basestocks [3].

5. API Gravity and Density

Density is a measure of molecular mass and is a fundamental physical property. It is the mass

of a unit volume of material at any given temperature. API gravity is a special function of

relative density. The relative density is ratioed to the density of water at a specific temperature.

115
The determination of density is necessary for the conversion of measured volumes to volumes at the standard temperature of 15 °C or 60 °F. Tables are available for these conversions [14]. This

is of great economic importance in commerce.

Density by itself is an uncertain indicator of the quality of lubricating base oils. However,

it can be used in conjunction with other properties to give approximate hydrocarbon composition, and

therefore, provide quality control information.

The viscosity-gravity constant (VGC) is one function which has been correlated with the

paraffinic content of base oils. Table 4 lists the VGC value for the ten re-refined oils as calculated from ASTM D2501, "Calculation of Viscosity-Gravity Constant (VGC) of Petroleum Oils" [1].

Two techniques were selected for evaluation with re-refined oils: (1) the hydrometer technique

using either ASTM D287, "API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Hydrometer Method)"

or ASTM D1298, "Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity) or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and

Liquid Products by Hydrometer Method," and (2) the digital density meter technique, using ASTM

D4052, "Density and Relative Density of Liquids by Digital Density Meter."

5.1. Physical Basis

The hydrometer methods are based on the principle that the depth of immersion of a body

floating in a liquid is inversely proportional to the density of the liquid. The floating body is a hydrometer that has appropriate graduations. When temperature equilibrium is reached, the hydromete

scale is read and the temperature recorded.

The digital density meter is based on an electronic measurement of frequency. A sample is introduced into an oscillating sample tube. A change in oscillating frequency is caused by the

change in the mass of the tube. This frequency change is measured electronically and used in

conjunction with calibration data to determine the density of the sample.

5.2. Modifications

The NBS procedure for measuring density with a digital density meter was developed prior to the

adoption of test method D4052 by ASTM. It differs from the ASTM method in calibration and data

calculation procedures [3,15]. First, in addition to distilled water, the NBS procedure used xylene

as a calibration standard instead of air, since xylene has a density similar to that of lubricating

oil basestocks. Second, the instrument was calibrated daily. Third, air samples were run in between each fluid as a check on cleanliness of the oscillator tube. Fourth, a calibrated thermisto

was used instead of a thermometer to provide electronic temperature measurements good to 0.001

degree Celsius. Fifth, because of the difficulty in setting temperatures accurately and precisely,

density measurements were made slightly above and below the desired temperature, and the density

value was interpolated. And last, the density measurement process was microprocessor-controlled.

No modifications were necessary for the hydrometer methods.

5.3. Evaluation

The data collected are presented in tables 2 and 6. Table 6 contains: (A) the interpolated

density values, (B) observed density values measured as close as possible to 20 °C (within 0.1 °C of

20 °C), (C) the differences between these two values, (D) an API gravity value calculated from the

interpolated density value, (E) a measured API gravity value, and (F) the difference between the

measured and calculated API gravities. No difficulties were encountered in either the density or gravity measurements due to re-refined oil samples [3]. The precision of the NBS digital density

system is 3 x 10~5. All data are within the ASTM precision statements and agree well with each

other. The density measured by the NBS digital density meter procedure is more precise, uses less

sample, and is over an order of magnitude more sensitive than the hydrometer methods.

ASTM test methods D287, D1298, and D4052 are acceptable for the measurement of density of

re- refined oils.

116
Table 6. Density at 20 °C and API gravity

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

5 Place 5 Place

Interpolated Observed Calculated

Sample d^g a d^Q from ti^

Code (kg-M

-3

) (kg-M~

3

) d 20" d 20 ° API ° API ° (°API )- (°API

)

1/K. QQO OOO DD Z

n i o QQO ooo

"3Q io n i

~7 U . 1/ U

o o O _L 2 ± <j 11 n o

0. 2

1L

Q~7 A

CX. I (.<U. 1; Q~l A O /4 2U U . Ul oo "71 29 8 ± 0 4 0. 1

MM o /a no -i- n no U . Uo 0/ / yy U . Uo OQ U 29 4 ± U 4 0. 4

MIN O / D yo z

n no u , uo O / oo U . U / OQ cD <cy 7 i / ± Ij 3 n o 0. 2

0 878 99 ± 0.08 878 96 0.03 28 8 29 1 ± 0. 1 0.3

P 878 17 ± 0.04 878 11 0.06 29 0 29 1 ± 0 1 0.1

Q 879 08 ± (<0.01) 878. 96 0. 12 28 8 29. 4 ± 0 5 0.6

R 874 81 ± 0.08 874 71 0.10 29. 6 29. 8 ± 0. 2 0.2

S 880. 18 ± 0.01 880. 15 0.03 28. 6 28. 9 ± 0. 5 0.3

T 881. 14 ± 0.04 881. 08 0.06 28. 5 28. 7 ± 0._2 0.2

Avg. 878. 0 0.04 878. 0 0.07 29. 0 29. 2 0. 3 0.3

ge 874. 0 to 883.0 0.01 to 0.17 28. 0 to 29.

J

J 0.1 to 0.6

6. Flash Point

Flash point is a volatility characteristic. It is one measurement of the flammability hazard

of a material. The flash point is the lowest temperature to which an oil must be heated, under

specified conditions, to give off sufficient vapor to form a mixture with air which will ignite in the presence of an open flame.

Flash point is used in shipping and safety regulations to define "flammable" and "combustible"

materials. Flash point should be considered relative to the temperatures to which a basestock will

be subjected in storage, transportation, and use. Normally, lubricating oil basestocks present no hazards in these respects. Flash point is only one of a number of properties which must be considered in assessing the overall flammability hazard of a material.

Flash point can also indicate oil volatility. For lubricating oil basestocks this may be related to oil consumption at operating conditions. It can also indicate the possible presence of

highly volatile and flammable materials in a relatively nonvolatile or nonflammable material. This

may be fuel or solvent contamination of the lubricating oil basestock.

ASTM D92, "Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup," was selected [3] as the test method to evaluate for use with re-refined lubricating oil basestocks. ASTM D93, "Flash Point by Pensky- Martens Closed Tester," should be used when it is desired to determine the possible presence of

small but significant concentrations of lower flash point substances which may escape detection by

ASTM D92. Use of ASTM D93 was not necessary for the base oils selected in this study. ASTM D92 is the method generally used for flash point measurements on virgin lubricating oil basestocks.

6.1. Physical Basis

Flash point measures the response of the sample to heat and flame under controlled laboratory

conditions. As the name implies, only momentary combustion occurs. This distinguishes it from fire

117
point, which is a higher temperature at which vapor is generated at a sufficient rate to sustain

combustion. Combustion is possible only when the ratio of fuel vapor to air (oxidant) lies between

certain limits [2]. A fuel mixture too lean or rich will not burn.

In ASTM 092, a test cup is filled to a specified level with the sample. The temperature is increased rapidly at first and then at a slow, constant rate as the flash point is approached. At specific intervals a small test flame is passed across the cup. The lowest temperature at which

application of the test flame causes the vapors above the surface of the liquid to ignite is taken

as the flash point.

6.2. Evaluation

No modifications of ASTM D92 were necessary for use with re-refined lubricating oil basestocks.

However, see below for special conditions. The data for the ten re-refined base oils are given in table 2. The range of these values is 170 to 250 °C, with an average of 210 °C. One oil, which has

a significantly lower flash point, is a minimally re-refined oil not intended for automotive use.

During the test evaluation, it was noted that the rate of heating and the air drafts were difficult to control. As a result, special precautions concerning the fume hood and its draft were necessary [3]. Darkened laboratory conditions were generally necessary to observe the true flash

point and not confuse it with a bluish halo that sometimes surrounds the test flame.

No data point fell outside of the ASTM D92 reproducibility limits of 17 °C or the repeatability

limits of 8 °C. ASTM D92 can be used without modification to measure the flash point of re-refined

lubricating oil basestocks.

7. Boiling Range Distribution by Gas Chromatography

(GCBRD)

Boiling range distribution by gas chromatography (GC) is a simulated distillation. As such it

is a measure of the volatility characteristics of an oil. A gas chromatographic method provides

good precision, time and sample efficiency, and more detailed information than can be achieved using

conventional ASTM distillation methods.

Distillation is one of the principal processes used to separate petroleum products. Process

control and specification testing can be accomplished with the boiling range distribution by the GC method. GCBRD results have been compared and correlated to a number of distillation tests [7,18].

GCBRD by ASTM D2887 has been found to agree closely with the volume percent data given by ASTM

D2892, "Distillation of Crude Petroleum (15 Theoretical Plate Column)."

Volatility characteristics are important for a number of reasons including oil consumption,

flammability, and performance. One study has used GCBRD to evaluate these parameters [19]. Front end volatility can also serve as a check on contamination and processing conditions.

ASTM D2887, "Boiling Range Distribution of Petroleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography" is the

method usually used for lubricating oils and was selected as the method for evaluation with

re-refined oils [3].

7.1. Procedure

In the GCBRD method, a sample is introduced into a gas chromatographic column, which separates

hydrocarbons in boiling point order. The column temperature is raised at a reproducible rate and

the area under the chromatogram is recorded throughout the run. Boiling temperatures are assigned

to the time axis from a calibration curve, obtained under the same conditions by running a known

mixture of hydrocarbons covering the boiling range expected in the sample. From these data, the

boiling range distribution may be obtained and tabulated as "percent off" vs boiling point.

7.2. Modifications

The scope section of ASTM D2887 states the method is applicable to petroleum products with a final boiling point (FBP = 99.5 percent off) of 538 °C or lower at atmospheric pressure. However,

all the re-refined oils in this study have FBP >538 °C. Also, ASTM D2887 provides only guidelines

for the chromatographic method and resulting data analysis.

118
The modifications given in this section do not conflict with ASTM D2887, but merely extend its

upper range and define the procedure used in this laboratory [3]. The main modifications were the

use of a baseline subtraction technique, on-column injection and a standard with higher boiling

components.

In the method developed, the sample was injected onto the GC column within the oven wall.

Typically, a 0.2 uL sample was injected using the solvent flush technique. The oven was programmed

to increase the temperature from 50 to 380 °C at a rate of 10 °C/min. Typically, a ten-minute

isothermal hold at the final oven temperature would ensure a return to baseline, indicating elution

of the entire sample. Glass columns packed with SP2100, OV101 or Dexil 300 were used [3,20].

A calibration standard and a baseline were run each day prior to sample analysis. The

calibration standard contained normal hydrocarbons, C 5 -C44 . In addition, control samples (e.g. ASTM

D2887 Reference Gas Oil) were run periodically.

The data analysis consisted of a point-to-point calibration (as opposed to a curve fitting

program) with an extrapolation to 575 °C and a report of percent off >575 °C. This procedure was

felt to be a reasonable limit for extrapolation beyond the boiling point of the C 44 standard. Area

time slices were taken every 5 seconds over the entire chromatogram. The baseline was subtracted

from the sample data and the retention times compared to the latest calibration curve for the

boiling range distribution report.

7.3. Evaluation

The data are presented in table 3 and in graphical form in figure 1. Good precision was obtained for values from 2 percent to 98 percent boiled off. Baseline definition, in general, had

to be examined to obtain precise results in the Initial Boiling Point (IBP) and FBP ranges [3].

Table 7 gives the ranges and averages for the re-refined base oils at 2, 50, and 90 percent off.

The repeatability in general is within the ASTM D2887 precision statement. More detailed

discussion of the precision on the IBP and FBP is presented in reference [3].

The IBP values in table 3 suggest a qualitative correspondence with the flash point data in table 2. Thus, both measurements are good indicators of the light ends volatility in a lubricating

base oil

.

Figure 1 shows graphically the boiling point for the ten re-refined oils used in this study.

Eight of the ten oils are fairly tightly grouped with 90 percent of the oil (as defined by 5-95

percent points) having a boiling range between 170 and 205 °C in the region between 350 to 560 °C. These are, in general, slightly broad boiling ranges when compared to virgin lubricating base oils

of the same viscosity. Again, the minimally re-refined oil (oil T) stands out from the other oils,

having the lowest and broadest boiling point curve. Oil K has the narrowest boiling range.

The modified version of ASTM D2887 has been evaluated and is acceptable for use with re-refined

lubricating base oils.

8. Refractive Index

Refractive index is a compositional characteristic. It is the ratio of the velocity of light

of a specified wavelength in air to its velocity in the substance under examination. Refractive

index is a fundamental physical property which can be used in conjunction with other properties to characterize pure hydrocarbons and their mixtures. It is sensitive to composition, and therefore

may be used in quality control for testing the composition uniformity of the product. A general

rule for petroleum products of equivalent molecular weight is that paraffins have relatively low

refractive indices, aromatics have relatively high indices, and naphthenes have intermediate

indices.

ASTM D1218, ,! Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids" was selected for

evaluation with re-refined base oils. The carbon atom distribution and ring content of olefin-free

petroleum oils can be calculated from the measurement of refractive index, density, molecular weight

and sulfur by ASTM D3238, "Calculation of Carbon Distribution and Structural Group Analysis of

Petroleum Oils by the n-d-M method." These values have been calculated and are included in table 5 for reference. No evaluation was made in the accuracy of the composition analysis by the n-d-M

method.

119
O10 20 30 W5O 60 7O 80 9O95

Boiling Point Distribution (7. Off)

Figure 1. Boiling point distribution curves for ten re-refined lubricating base oils

(seven of the ten oils have distributions grouped within the shaded area of the

plot).

Table 7. Summary of test results for re-refined oils

Test

Color

[ASTM Color Units]

Pour Point

[°C]

Viscosity, 40 °C

[cSt]

100 °C

VI [units]

Flash Point

[°C]

API Gravity

[°API]

Density at 20 °C -3

[kg- dm ]

Refractive Index

Ng at 20 °C [units]

Range

L3. 0-8.0

-8 to -18

40-82

6-10

90-108

170-250

29.8-28.7

0.874-0.884

1.482-1.489

Boiling Range Distribution

by Gas Chromatography, 2% 268-387

50% 421-477

90% 508-538

Average

L5.5

-10

64

8.5

102

210

29.2

9.878

1.485

327

450

527

Test Method

ASTM D1500

D97

D445

D445

D2270

D92

D287 or D1298

D4052 (modified)

D1218 (modified)

D2887 (modified)

120
8.1. Physical Basis

The refractive index is a measure of the extent to which various substances cause a decrease in

the speed of light as compared with its speed in air or vacuum. It may be defined as the sine of

the angle of incidence divided by the sine of the angle of refraction, as light passes from air into

the substance. This is the relative index of refraction. The absolute refractive index in vacuum

may be obtained by multiplying this value by 1.00027, which is the absolute refractive index of air.

The numerical value of refractive index varies inversely with both wavelength and temperature. It

is also a function of pressure, chemical composition, physico-chemical constitution, homogeneity,

purity, and physical state [16].

8.2. Modifications

ASTM D1218 states that is is not applicable within the accuracy stated for oils having colors

darker than ASTM Color No. 4. All oils except one in our test set were darker than ASTM Color No.

4. Although D1218 does not explicitly state that measurements are to be made in the transmission

mode, this is assumed. The modification made was simply to use the reflectance mode.

The refractive index for hydrocarbon liquids is generally measured at 20 °C using the

wavelength of the sodium D lines (589 nm) and is expressed as n^°. It is measured by the critical

angle method with a precision ref ractometer. The instrument is calibrated before each use with a solid reference standard and certified liquid standards. Simply, a drop of liquid is placed on a prism face and allowed to reach temperature equilibrium. The lamp and the stage are adjusted so that the cross hairs intersect at the dividing line and the reading is recorded.

8.3. Evaluation

The data for refractive index are shown in tables 2 and 8. The range for these values is from

1.482 to 1.489 units using an average of at least 5 measurements, which are within the repeatability

6 x 10~5 units —listed in D1218. Table 8 shows measurements taken in the transmi ttance (T) and

reflectance (R) modes by two operators. Also included on table 8 is the reproducibility between

operators and the ASTM color of the oils. In the reflectance mode, the reproducibility is ± 3 x 10-5 units; whereas, in the transmittance mode, the reproducibility was significantly worse, ± 20 x 10~ 5

. The diffuse line observed in the transmittance mode forces the operator to make a "best

guess" at where the dividing line is; whereas, the distinctly sharper edge in the reflectance mode

allowed the cross hairs to be aligned readily with the dividing line. Color was not a significant

factor when the reflectance mode was used. As a result of the above there was a definite bias

between the two modes of operation. The transmittance values were less than the reflectance mode

val ues.

Table 8. Comparison of refractive index data

Sample Operator 1 Operator 2 Reproducibility Color

Code T

1

R T

2

R 2 T2~ J

1

x 1q5 R 2~ R 1x (ASTM Co1or Units)

K 1.48796 1.48810 1.48810 1.48810 +14 0 5. 5

L 318 327 321 328 + 3 + 1 6. 5

M 469 485 480 486 +11 + 1 6. 5

N 410 423 415 420 + 5 - 3 5. 0

0 616 625 616 627 0 + 2 4. 5

P 518 525 521 527 + 3 + 2 4. 5

Q 535 547 539 549 + 4 + 2 6. 5

R 244 253 252 255 + 8 + 2 3. 0

S 554 558 546 556 - 8 - 2 5. 5

T 664 672 645 670 -19 - 2 8. 0 T = Transmission mode

R = Reflectance mode

121
Refractive index is a fundamental, simple, precise, and accurate test requiring only a few

drops of sample. Measurements can be made readily and precisely on light and dark colored re- refined lubricating base oils. ASTM D1218 is an acceptable method for use with re-refined oils when

used in the reflectance mode.

9. Conclusion

Existing ASTM standard test methods can be used, with modifications as mentioned above, for the

measurement of physical properties of re-refined lubricating oil basestocks. The oils selected for

the test set used in the evaluations described in this study included samples representing most commercially re-refined basestocks existing in the U.S. at that time. Table 7 summarizes the data

on these samples. The work conducted in this study demonstrates that the evaluated methods can be

applied to re-refined oils within the precision statements listed in the ASTM methods.

The authors greatly appreciated the laboratory work performed by Hilary B. Nottingham, Wing

Leung, Ying Leung, and others. Also discussions with other members of the Tri bochemi stry Group were much appreciated.

10. References

[1] Annual Book of ASTM Standards Parts 23, 24, and 25. Petroleum Products and Lubricants,

American Society for Testing and Materials; Philadelphia, PA; 1981.

[2] Boldt, K. ; Hall, B. R. , eds. Significance of tests for petroleum products; ASTM STP 73; ASTM,

Philadelphia, PA; 1977.

[3] Weeks, S. ; Hsu, S. Physical properties of re-refined lubricating oil basestocks, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) NBSIR; to be published.

[4] Judd, D. B. ; Plaza, L. ; Belknap, M. A suggested relocation and respacing of the union

colorimeter scale for lubricating oil and petroleum, J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) 44: 559;

1950.

[5] SAE Handbook. Society of Automotive Engineers; Warrendale, PA; 1977.

[6] Zuidema, H. H. Performance of lubricating oils. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corp.; 1952.

[7] Bondi , A. Physical chemistry of lubricating oils. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corp.; 1951.

[8] Allinson, J. P. ed. Criteria for quality of petroleum products, England: Applied Science

Publishers Ltd. ; 1973.

[9] Becker, D. A.; Comeford, J. J., eds. Recycled oil program: Phase 1-Test Rrocedures for

Recycled Oil Used as Burner Fuel. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Tech. Note 1130; 1980.

[10] Georgi , C. W. Motor oils and engine lubrication. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corp.; 1950.

[11] Davis, G. H. B. ; Zimmer, J. C. Science of petroleum IV. London: Oxford University Press;

1938.

[12] Becker, D. A., ed. Joint conference on measurements and standards for recycled oil/Systems

performance and durability; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 584; 1980, 141.

[13] Symposium on the relationship between engine oil viscosity and engine performance SAE, Inc.; Warrendale, PA; 1977.

[14] Petroleum measurement tables ASTM; Philadelphia, PA; 1980.

[15] Whetstone, J. R. ; Cameron, J. M. ; Carroll, C. L. ; Gallagher, W. L. Density and thermal

expansion coefficients of petroleums, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) NBSIR; September 1978.

122
[16] Tilton, L. W. ; Taylor, J. K. Refractive index measurement, in Analytical methods in chemical

analysis, Vol. 1. New York, NY: Academic Press Inc.; 1960.

[17] Calculation of physical properties of petroleum products from gas chromatographic analyses, STP

577; ASTM; Philadelphia, PA; 1975.

[18] Green, L. E. Chromatograph gives boiling point. Hydrocarbon Processing: 205; 1976.

[19] Stavinoha, L. L. ; Eichelberger , J. R. ; Lestz, S. J.; Tyler, J. C. Lubricant volatility related

to two cycle diesel engine piston ring/cylinder liner wear, ASLE 38; 11-22; 1982.

[20] Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper in order

to adequately specify the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply

recommendation or endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards nor does it imply that the

materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

123

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL PROPERTY TEST METHODS FOR RE-REFINED LUBRICATING BASE OILS

A. L. Cummings 1

, P. Pei , and S.M. Hsu

Chemical Stability & Tribology Group

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Several standard test methods measuring chemical properties of lubricants were evaluated for use on re-refined lubricating basestocks. The methods evaluated included

total acid number (TAN), total base number (TBN), total nitrogen, basic nitrogen,

saponification number, and water. Except for the TAN and basic nitrogen test methods,

some modifications were necessary for the test methods when applied to re-refined base

oils. The evaluation and the modifications for each test method are described.

1. Introduction

Measurement of particular chemical characteristics of re-refined lubricating base stocks can provide a basis for monitoring quality consistency, as well as detecting or identifying potentially

beneficial or deleterious components. Although standardized test methods are available for

determining the chemical characteristics of virgin lubricants, few have been tested and evaluated

for use with re-refined lubricating base oils.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-163) requires the National Bureau

of Standards (NBS) to develop test procedures for the characterization of re-refined lubricating

oils. This report summarizes the NBS experience with test methods for six chemical properties:

total acid number (TAN), total base number (TBN), total nitrogen, basic nitrogen, saponification

number, and water content.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Committee D-2 on Petroleum Products, has

developed methods for the determination of TAN [l] 2

, TBN [1-2], total nitrogen [3], water [4], and

saponification number [5]. The Universal Oil Products Company has published standard methods for

the determination of nitrogen [6-7]. Precision statements are given in the standards for certain

applications, but re-refined base oils were apparently not considered in the generation of these

statements.

The evaluation of the test methods proceeded in several stages. First, standardized test methods currently in use for virgin lubricants were selected for investigation as indicated above.

Then, these methods were tested with re-refined lubricants, and the results examined in terms of

accuracy, precision, and/or sensitivity. If necessary, these procedures were modified for use with

re-refined oils. Finally, the modified procedures were applied to selected re-refined base stocks

to demonstrate the ability of the modifications to provide adequate accuracy and precision.

Re-refined basestocks from major re-refining technologies were used to evaluate these test

procedures. A total of ten re-refined lubricating base stocks were obtained from current U.S. re-refiners. Brief descriptions of these re-refined base oils are shown in table 1. In the

following sections, each of the chemical property test methods are evaluated for use with re-refined

oils.

x Present address: American Sterilizer Company, Erie, PA 16512.

2 Figure in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

125
Table 1. Source and processing technologies of the re-refined base oils

Oil ID Viscosity Grade Processing Technology Geographical Area

RA 200N Pretreat/Vac. dist./

Clay finish

Mid-West (US)

RB 250N Clay treat Southwest

RC 350N Acid/Clay Southwest

RD 300N Acid/Clay West Coast

RD 400N Caustic Pretreat/

Vac. dist.

Northeast

RF 350N Acid/Clay South

RG 300N Acid/Clay Northwest

RH 250N Acid/Clay Canada

Rl 350N Acid/Clay West Coast

RJ 200N Acid/Clay Northeast

2. Total Acid Number (TAN)

The Total Acid Number (TAN) is a measure of the acidic components in an oil. Since acidic

constituents in an engine lubricating oil may be detrimental to the stability or performance of a lubricant, it is important to be able to determine their concentration. For re-refined base stocks,

the measurement of TAN has additional significance. Since used engine oil often contains large amounts of acidic compounds formed as a result of oxidative degradation, the TAN of base stocks

after re-refining may reflect the effectiveness of the re-refining process in removing oxidized

acidic components of the feedstocks.

ASTM Standard Test Method D-664, "Neutralization Number by Potentiometric Titration" [1],

provides a procedure for the determination of TAN in virgin lubricating oils. Re-refined lubricants

were not used in the ASTM cooperative test development program of ASTM D-664.

2.1. Chemical Basis

The acidic compounds in oils can be neutralized by reaction with a strong base. The relative

strength of an acid is an expression of the degree to which an acid can be neutralized under a given

set of conditions. Strong acids react rapidly and completely with strong bases. Weak acids do not react as readily. The relative acidity of the entire reaction solution, especially the solvent,

determines how strong a weak acid must be to react quantitatively with a strong base.

ASTM D-664 employs a weakly acidic solvent mixture of toluene, isopropanol, and water, in the

ratio 500:495:5. In this solvent system, potassium hydroxide is a strong base and will titrate

strong and weak acids which might be present in the oil sample and be soluble in this solvent

system. The method uses a glass electrode to monitor the course of the titration. The titration

endpoint is the point at which sufficient basic titrant has been added to neutralize all strong and

weak acids. That point is recognized by the inflection point of the electrode potential vs. titrant

volume curve. In the absence of a clearly defined inflection point, an arbitrary reference

electrode potential from a standard buffer solution is taken as the endpoint potential [2]. The TAN value is expressed as the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize the

acids in one gram of oil to that end point potential.

2.2. Evaluation

In order to measure the low acid levels found in re-refined oils, the concentration of the

potassium hydroxide titrant was reduced from 0.1 N, as prescribed by ASTM D-664, to 0.04 N. This

change improved the precision and sensitivity of the method on titrations of 20 g samples of oil.

This change is not considered to be a modification, since it is an optional part of the ASTM D-664

method.

126
The TAN results of ten re-refined base oils were measured using ASTM D-664 in triplicate, and

the results are shown in table 2. The TAN ranged from 0.08 to 1.69, which is within the range of

stated D-664 applicability (0.05 to 250). No modifications were made in applying the method to re-refined base oils. Repeatability is within ASTM D-664 guidelines of 6% of the mean.

Table 2. Total acid number and total base number of re-refined base oils

TBN, mg KOH/g

Oil TAN(D-664) Repeatabi 1 ity ,% (modif

ed D-2896) % Deviation

N 0 187 6 0. 0115 8

P 0 081 6 0. 0063 16

Q 0 180 2 0. 0085 32

R 0 145 6 0. 0520 4

S 0 109 6 0. 0215 14

T 0 105 6 0. 0050 160

U 0 810 2 0. 0020 200

V 0. 136 6 0. 0025 120

W 0 285 4 0. 0095 32

X 1. 69 4 0. 003 66

aTAN values determined in triplicate, using 0.04 N potassium hydroxide.

2.3. Conclusion

In ASTM D-664, the TAN titration curves can be used to measure the strong and weak acids

separately in an oil. For re-refined base oils no strong acids were detected, so applicability of

this part of the procedure could not be specifically evaluated. However, based on our experience

and historical usage, no difficulties should be encountered in the measurement of strong acid

components. No problems were encountered in determination of weak acid components.

3. Total Base Number (TBN)

The Total Base Number (TBN) is a measure of the amount of the basic components present in an

oil. Most engine oils are formulated with an excess of basic additives to control the buildup of

acidic species during use. In addition to these overbase additives, other additives such as inhibitors, detergents, and dispersants with basic functionality are sometimes added to improve

lubricant stability and performance. Since re-refined oils are processed from used, formulated

lubricating oils, a measure of the basic constituents may be useful.

ASTM has two methods for the determination of TBN in petroleum products. ASTM D-664,

"Neutralization Number by Potentiometric Titration" [1], includes a TBN procedure. ASTM D-2896,

"Total Base Number of Petroleum Products by Potentiometric Perchloric Acid Titration" [2], employs

an acid titrant and titrating solvent stronger than those in the D-664 TBN procedure. Consequently

D-2896 detects weaker bases which are not measured by the D-664 test.

In the development of the precision statements for ASTM D-2896, test samples used were formulated oils, additive concentrates, and used oils. TBN of these samples ranged from 2.9 to 99

[2]. Lubricating base oils were not included.

127
3.1. Chemical Basis

The basic compounds in a lubricating oil can be neutralized by reaction with a strong acid.

The D-2896 procedure is a non-aqueous acid/base titration method. An oil sample is dissolved in a mixture—dry glacial acid and chlorobenzene--and titrated potentiometrical ly with a solution of

perchloric acid in glacial acetic acid. The endpoint of the titration is the inflection point in a plot of the electrode potential difference vs. volume of titrant. The Total Base Number (TBN) is

,! the quantity of perchloric acid, expressed in terms of the equivalent number of milligrams of

potassium hydroxide, that is required to neutralize all basic constituents present in one gram of

[oil] sample" [2].

In those cases where the titration inflection points are obscure, a "back-titration" procedure

is recommended: An excess of perchloric acid is first added to bring the electrode potential well

beyond the neutralization point, and then the solution is titrated back through the endpoint with a solution of sodium acetate in glacial acetic acid. The inflection point in this case is very sharp,

and the TBN can be calculated from the difference in perchloric acid and sodium acetate equivalents.

3.2. Evaluation

The TBN of a re-refined basestock is typically less than 0.05 mg KOH/gram oil. ASTM D-664 is not applicable for this concentration range, hence, D-2896 was used. In order to measure such low

base levels, the concentration of the perchloric acid titrant was reduced from 0.1 N, as prescribed

by ASTM D-2896, to 0.005 N. This change improved the precision and sensitivity of the method on titrations of 10 g oil samples. Since direct titration of re-refined oils often produced

poorly-defined endpoints, the "back-titration" procedure, as described in D-2896, was employed

routi nely.

Table 2 summarizes the results of the modified D2896 TBN tests for ten re-refined base oils.

The applicable range of base number by D-2896 for virgin oils as stated in the method is 5.5 to 13.5

mg KOH/g. The values in table 2 range from 0.002 to 0.05 mg KOH/g for the ten re-refined base oils. From the percent relative deviation, the detection limit for the method is approximately 0.05 (4%

relative deviation vs. the 5% relative deviation specified by the method for 5.5 to 13.5 TBN).

Levels down to 0.01 TBN appear to be possible with up to 30% relative deviation. Below 0.01 TBN,

the relative deviation from the mean becomes quite large. Without the modification described above,

precision of the D-2896 probably cannot be extended down to 0.05 TBN. Since the intended use of the

method is to monitor excess contamination, it is felt that the method as modified, extending the

lower limit from 5.5 to 0.05 TBN, is acceptable.

To test the accuracy of the method, known quantities of base compounds were added to 10 grams

of a fe-refined base oil, and the resulting solutions titrated. Table 3 indicates a recovery error

of 2 percent or less, the recovery errors representing less than 0.005 TBN units in each case.

Table 3. Recovery of basic compounds in 10 grams re-refined oil by D-2896 TBN method.

TBN

Error

+0.002

-0.0002

-0.004

^Tri s(hydroxymethyl )ami no-methane.

A commercial, sucinimide dispersant additive.

3.3. Conclusion

As modified, ASTM D-2896 can be used to determine TBN in re-refined oils down to about 0.05 TBN with a accuracy of about ±0.005 to ±0.01. The recommended modification is to reduce the perchloric

acid titrant from 0.1 N to 0.005 N, for samples with low TBN values.

Found

Base TBN % Recovery

THAM

a 0.246 100.8 ±0.7

Pyridine 0.106 99.8 ± 0.7

AD5015b 0.188 98 ± 2

128
4. Total Nitrogen

ASTM D-3228, "Total Nitrogen in Lubricating Oils and Fuel Oils by Modified Kjeldahl Method"

[3], is applicable in the determination of down to 0.03 percent (300 ppm) nitrogen in lubricating

oils. However, most base oils contain much lower concentrations of nitrogen. A test method, UOP Method 384 [7], and other sources [8-10], describe procedures by which nitrogen-containing compounds

can be extracted from oils to extend the effective sensitivity of the normal Kjeldahl method to about 0.0002 percent (2 ppm) nitrogen. The UOP 384 test method was the basic guide for our experimental work; however, in this report all modifications are presented in terms of deviations

from the ASTM D-3228 procedure.

4.1. Chemical Basis

In the Kjeldahl method, organically-bound nitrogen in the oil is reduced to ammonium sulfate by

sulfuric acid digestion. The hydrocarbon material is simultaneously converted to carbon dioxide and

water. The ammonium sulfate is then converted to ammonia which is trapped in an aqueous boric acid

solution, and this solution is then titrated quantitatively with a standard acid. Nitrogen in most compounds can be detected .this way; exceptions are when the nitrogen is bound, as in the nitro- or

azo- forms. It should be noted that the overall recovery of nitrogen from a sample can be affected

by the temperature at which digestion is performed [10].

Quantitative extraction of nitrogen-containing compounds from petroleum oils can be

accomplished with concentrated sulfuric acid [9]. Since sulfuric acid is the digestion reagent in the Kjeldahl procedure, the nitrogen-containing extract can be used directly in the Kjeldahl

procedure. The separation is clean, since the sulfuric acid phase is considerably more dense than

the petroleum phase.

4.2. Evaluation

As discussed briefly above, the D-3228 procedure was modified to use sulfuric acid extraction

in order to obtain the required sensitivity. The procedural points by which the modified procedure

differs from ASTM D-3228 is shown in table 4. The most important modifications are the monitoring

of the digestion temperature and the extraction procedure. The acid extraction of re-refined oils

generally produces a viscous black substance in the acid phase. The phase boundary can be detected

by transmission of light through the petroleum phase near the phase boundary. The digestion step

generally required several hours and frequent additions of 5 ml quantities of acid. With careful

attention to digestion temperature, determinations were repeatable to ±2 ppm.

Table 4. Differences between ASTM D-3228 Kjeldahl method and NBS modification

Parameter ASTM D-3228 NBS

Sample Size 1 to 15 g 20 to 80 g

Digestion Temperature not specified 360 to 380 °C

Digestion Time at Specified Temperature 1 hour

Acid Extraction none yes

Acid Volumes (ml) 5, then 5

Catalysts:

K

2 S04 9.9 g 25 g

HgO 0.41 g 1.1 g

CuSO, 0.08 g

129
Thirteen re-refined base oils were tested for total nitrogen content by this modified method,

and the values are given in table 5. Nitrogen contents ranged from 9 to 76 ppm. This range is below the stated applicable range of the ASTM D-3228 method of 300 to 1000 ppm with a repeatability

of 100 ppm.

Table 5. Total nitrogen content of re-refined base oils by modified

extraction Kjeldahl method

Total Nitrogen Repeatability3 Oil ug N/g Oil ug N/g Oil

2.0

2.2

0.7

1.3

2.3

1.3

3.0

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

1.4

0.2

1.4

0.2 to 3.0

Maximum observed difference between test results.

Duplicate and triplicate tests of 15 to 60 g oil samples typically repeated within 2 ppm

nitrogen (table 5). Accurate recovery was demonstrated by determining the nitrogen content of a blend of a base oil with a typical automotive lubricant additive package of known nitrogen content. Recovery was quantitative.

The sensitivity of the test is approximately 2 ppm nitrogen, based on results from two virgin

oil samples. However, the detection limit, as well as precision and accuracy, may be impaired if the reagents used in all steps of the procedure are not sufficiently free of nitrogen [8,9].

This modified test procedure determines total Kjeldahl nitrogen in re-refined base oils. It

is, however, a time-consuming process. The acid extraction step can be tedious and difficult, but accurate results can be obtained.

4.3. Alternative Method

An instrumental, total nitrogen method is currently being evaluated by ASTM Committee D-2,

Research and Development Division III [11]. In this method, organically-bound nitrogen is oxidized

in a furnace to nitric oxide, which later reacts with ozone and is detected by chemi luminescence.

N 47

P 9

Q 18

R 17

S 21

T 9

U 20

V 13

W 28

X 24

Y 76

Z 48

M 9

Mean 26

Range 9 to 76

130
The method is rapid, simple to perform, and capable of detecting less than 1 ppm nitrogen in petroleum liquids. ASTM cooperative tests have been completed, and the method is in the process of

being considered for final approval as a standard test method.

To get an indication of the suitability of this method for use with re-refined oils, three

oils, selected to cover the range encountered, were tested by this method. The results, shown in table 6, suggest that this method provides total nitrogen determinations in re-refined oils which

are equivalent to results obtained using the modified Kjeldahl procedure. Further testing, perhaps

after the chemi 1 umi nescence method is adopted officially by ASTM, would establish this

correspondence more firmly.

Table 6. Comparison of combustion/chemi luminescence nitrogen

determination and modified Kjeldahl

Total Nitrogen, ppm

Oil Kjeldahl Chemi 1 urn. a

M 9 10

Z 48 46

Y 76 74

aData furnished by U.S. Army MERADCOM.

4.4. Conclusion

The ASTM D-3228 total nitrogen method as modified can be used to obtain total nitrogen values

in re-refined oils. In addition, the ASTM chemiluminescent method also appears to provide a useful

method for obtaining total nitrogen values for re-refined oils.

5. Basic Nitrogen

Characterization of nitrogen compounds by basicity can be significant. In many cases, the

greater the basicity— i.e., the availability of electrons at the nitrogen atom--the more reactive

the compound will be. For re-refined oils, the determinations of basic nitrogen can serve a quality

assurance purpose by detecting basic nitrogen-containing additives which may not have been removed

during re-refining.

There is no existing ASTM method for the determination of basic nitrogen in lubricants. The

Universal Oil Products Company (UOP) has developed a basic nitrogen method [6] which is very similar

to ASTM D-2896, the TBN method discussed previously. The chemical basis of this basic nitrogen

method, UOP 269, is the same as ASTM D-2896. A major difference between the methods is the

assumption by which the results are calculated. In the UOP basic nitrogen method, all bases

titrated are assumed to contain nitrogen. The results are then expressed as micrograms of nitrogen

per gram of oil, assuming one mole nitrogen per mole of base titrated.

5.1. Evaluation

As the discussion of total base number results applies to basic nitrogen, it will not be

repeated here. The results of those tests were recomputed as basic nitrogen and are given in tables

7 and 8. Expressed as ppm nitrogen, the results suggest that there are very low levels of basic

nitrogen-containing molecules present in re-refined base oils. Typical test repeatability is 1 to 2 ppm. The detection limit appears to be about 1 ppm. Basic nitrogen in these re-refined oils ranges

from about 1 to 15 ppm. The precision appears to be a few percent at nitrogen contents above 15

ppm. The accuracy of the method appears to be excellent. Tests performed on model compounds

suggest good recovery, as shown in table 8. For the purpose of monitoring basic nitrogen

contaminants, the method appears to be acceptable.

131
Table 7. Basic nitrogen determination in re-refined oils (solvent: chl orobenzene)

Oil Basic Nitrogen

ug/g oil

N 2.3

P 1.6

Q 1.1

R 14.9

S 5.0

T 3

U 0.4

V 0.7

W 2.9

X 1.6

Std. Dev. (la)

0.9

1.1

1.7

1.8

0.8

3

0.5

0.7

1.1

1.6

Table 8. Recovery of model basic nitrogen compounds in 10 grams re-refined oil

Compound

THAM

a

Pyridine

AD5015b

Recovery

ug Nitrogen

615

265

470

% Recovery

100.8 ± 0.7

99.8 ± 0.7

98 ±2

Error

ug Nitrogen

per g Oil

+0.5

- .05

-0.9

Tri s(hydroxy methyl )ami no methane.

A commercial succinimide dispersant additive.

One potentially significant difference

the choice of organic solvent. ASTM D-2896

To decide if the choice of solvent affected

tests were performed with each solvent. The

oils are shown in table 9. There appears to and chlorobenzene. The observed differences

Thus, for the purposes of this test, toluene

between the ASTM D-2896 and the UOP 269 procedures is uses chlorobenzene, whereas UOP 269 prescribes toluene,

the basic nitrogen analysis of re-refined oils, several

results of triplicate analyses of four re-refined base

be no consistent difference in results between toluene

are all within the range of experimental uncertainty,

and chlorobenzene are equivalent solvents.

Table 9. Comparison on chlorobenzene and toluene as solvents in basic nitrogen tests

Oil Chlorobenzene Tol uene Difference

N 3.7 2.3 1.4

T 2.4 2.8 -0.4

R 15.7 14.7 1.0

X 1.2 1.6 -0.4

132
5.2. Conclusions

l n As modified, the D-2896 test procedure can be used to measure the basic nitrogen concentrationsre-refined oils.

6. Saponification Number

Saponification number is intended to be a measure of the ester-containing constituents of an

oil. Potentially, these include esters of fatty acids and ester-based additives. Presence of a large amount of fatty acids in re-refined base oils might suggest incomplete removal of

contaminants. ASTM Standard Test Method D-94 [5] provides a procedure for measuring the

saponification number in petroleum products. It is applied typically to determining ester additives

in new industrial oils.

6.1. Chemical Basis

In the ASTM Standard Test Method D-94, "Saponification Number of Petroleum Products" [5], an

oil sample is dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). The solution is heated with a known amount of

alcoholic (ethyl alcohol; ETOH) potassium hydroxide which reacts with saponifiable materials in the

sample. The excess alkali is then titrated with standard acid and the saponification number is calculated in terms of the milligrams of KOH consumed per gram of oil sample.

The principal chemical reactions which constitute the ASTM D-94 saponification number test are given in figure 1. Esters, reactions [1] and [2], are typically the object of saponification number

tests. Reactions [3] and [5] therefore represent possible interferences and sources of erroneous interpretation due to nitrogen compounds. Reaction [3] has the effect of increasing the apparent

saponification number, whereas reaction 5 has the opposite effect. Since re-refined base oils

generally have much higher acid numbers than base numbers, reaction 3 might be of greater concern

than reaction 5.

Some compounds of sulfur, phosphorus, the halogens, and other elements which are sometimes

found in petroleum products, consume alkali or acids and may affect saponification number test

results. The D-94 saponification number is a measure of a potentially wide range of compounds.

Saponification number may prove to be a useful screening tool for consistency, however, further

analysis (by other methods) will be required to accurately interpret the results. Some practical

problems with this test are shown in table 10.

Table 10. Saponification number. Practical Problems with ASTM D94

1. Dark-colored oils can obscure endpoint.

2. Weak acid salts can obscure endpoint.

3. CO2 absorption could cause premature endpoint.

4. Acids in oil may be titrated.

5. Bases in oil may be titrated.

El imi nate

1

2

1,2,3,5

By

Potentiometric titration

Use Excess HC1 , purge with H^, titrate w/KOH

Method of Swan, et al . [12]

If an "ester number" is desired, other procedures would have to be developed to remove or correct for acidic, basic, and other potential interferences. Simple adjustment using standard TAN

and TBN results is not advisable, because TAN, TBN, and saponification number may overlap in an unpredictable way. Also each of these test procedures employs a different solvent system, so that

the acid and base equivalents are not necessarily transferrabl e.

133
6.2. Evaluation

The color of the oil can be a major problem when using this test method. Intense oil color can impair detection of the endpoint of a colorimetric titration. As a result, the repeatability could

suffer. In an attempt to extend the detection limit of D-94 to oils having saponification numbers

below 1, two modifications were examined. First, the sample size was increased to 40 g. However,

some of the darker oils could not be analyzed in 40 g quantities because their dark color hampered

detection of the colorimetric titration end-point. For the second modification, a sample size of 20

grams or less was taken and a more dilute titrant (0.1 N) was used.

Table 11 shows results of the modified D-94 procedure (using the 0.1 N titrant) on the ten re-refined test oils. The values range from 0.06 to 3.15. The ASTM D-94 method states an applicability range of 1 to 200 mg KOH/g with a precision of ±0.25 units at 1 mg KOH/g of sample.

The repeatability of the modified D-94 is shown in table 12. The test was performed over a period

of ten months at a saponification level of 0.15 mg KoH/g. The precision is acceptable according to D-94 standards.

6.3. Conclusions

As modified, the ASTM D-94 test procedure can be used to determine the saponification number of

re-refined base oils. The recommended modification is to use a standard acid titrant at the 0.1 N concentration. At higher values of the saponification number the D-94 method can be used without

modification.

A. Reflux with base (K0H) in MEK and Et OH

1) R'COOR + K0H -> R'C00-K

+

+ R0H

2) R'C00-CH

2 + K0H * R'C00~K

+

+ H0-CH

2

3) RC00H + K0H •* RC00~K

+

+ H

20

B. Titrate excess base with acid (HC1)

4) K0H + HC1 -» KC1 + H

20

5) R-N + HC1 * R-N:H

+d~

Figure 1. Saponification number reactions.

Table 11. Evaluation of the modified Saponification number for re-refined base oils

Saponification Number

Oil Code mg KOH/g

A 0. 09

B 0. 61

C 0. 36

D 1. 46

E 3. 15

F 0. 06

G 0 23

H 0. 17

I 0. 24

J 1. 03

134
7. Water

Water in oil can cause corrosion of engine parts. In re- refined base oils, if there is residual dispersant additive present, the water content could be much higher than predicted by

solubility. ASTM standard test method D-1744, "Water in Liquid Petroleum Products by Karl Fischer

Reagent" [4], provides a procedure for determining 50 to 1000 ppm water in liquid petroleum

products. Base oils typically contain 50 to 150 ppm water.

7.1. Chemical Basis

In the Karl Fischer reaction, water reacts with iodine and sulfur dioxide to produce iodic acid

and sulfur trioxide. Efficient reaction is achieved only in the presence of a complexing agent,

like pyridine, and a protolytic solvent, such as methanol, which help remove sulfur trioxide from

the system [13]. The titration endpoint of the Karl Fischer reagent is determined

electrometrically. After all the water has reacted, iodine is free to react at a polarized

electrode to form iodide ions. The resultant current signals the endpoint.

Any substance that reacts with iodine or interferes with the electrode reaction will cause

errors in the Karl Fischer determination of water. Some substances which react with iodine include

free alkali, oxidizing and reducing agents, mercaptans, and certain nitrogenous substances. Fouling

Table 12. Repeat test data on oil "A" from the modified

saponification number test

Saponification Number

mg KOH/g

0.16

0.17

0.14

0.17

0.14

0.09

0.23

0.13

0.15

0.15

0.15

0.14

0.12

0.15

0.20

Mean 0.15

Std. Deviation (la) 0.03

135
of electrodes can occur if the oil contains substances such as polyisobutylene, which does not dissolve in the Karl Fischer reaction solution. These substances can coat the electrode surface,

physically interfering with the electrode reaction.

7.2. Evaluation

In testing over 75 re- refined baseoil samples, 30 to 400 mg water per gram of oil was determined with good repeatability. These results suggest that the D-1744 procedure is applicable

to the determination of water in most re-refined base stocks. Five of the oils were not titrable

because a waxy substance separated from the solution and coated the electrodes, which made endpoint

detection impossible. This problem was then further examined.

As a result of the above problems with some re-refined oils, modifications were evaluated in

sample size, endpoint conditions, and the method for endpoint interpretation. To summarize, the

sample volume and endpoint conditions differed from those prescribed by ASTM D-1744 as follows.

Sample volume was 15 ml, rather than the 50 ml suggested by D-1744, since the larger volume

sometimes resulted in an unstable endpoint. Also, an azeotropic distillation step was used for some

oils. These modifications are discussed more fully below.

The endpoint conditions were also modified in this evaluation. The endpoint current prescribed

in D-1744, Section 7.1.1 is 1 uA. However, for most modern commercial titrators, 1 uA is a negligible current. A better endpoint current is 30 uA, and that value was used during this

evaluation.

The volume of titrant required to titrate the water in a sample was determined by a method

different from that given in D-1744. Because the Karl Fischer titration endpoint is unstable, a certain "baseline" rate of reagent consumption is required to maintain the endpoint current at 30 uA

in the absence of a sample. An automatic titrator can be set to maintain the endpoint current at 30

|jA and the reagent volume dispensed can be recorded as a function of time on a strip chart. In use, the "baseline" reagent consumption is recorded until a test specimen is introduced into the reaction

solution. Upon introduction of a specimen, reagent is dispensed rapidly until the water from the

specimen is consumed, whereupon the "baseline" reagent dispensing rate is again observed. The

reagent volume represented by the distance between extrapolated baselines before and after specimen

introduction is thus the volume required to titrate the test specimen. This procedure avoids some potential errors which can occur when the D-1744 "dead-stop" procedure is used. It also requires

less attention from the operator prior to introduction of the sample.

An azeotropic distillation step was added to the procedure to facilitate water determinations

in those oils that cause electrode fouling, when tested in the normal procedure. Water from the oil

is transferred to the Karl Fischer reaction flask as a vapor-phase azeotrope with toluene. The

sample is mixed with dry toluene in a round-bottom flask. Nitrogen is bubbled through the toluene

and oil solution to aid the transfer. As the solution is heated to a maximum of 100 °C, the

nitrogen carries the water- tol uene azeotrope vapors up through a glass tube and into the Karl

Fischer reaction solution, where the water reacts with Karl Fischer reagent.

The azeotropic distillation procedure has several advantages over the direct D-1744 titration

procedure. Consumption of Karl Fischer reagents and titration solvents is reduced, there is less

downtime between samples, and many possible chemical and physical interferences are avoided.

General considerations for use of the Karl Fischer test are also noted as follows. Best repeatability was obtained when fresh Karl Fischer solvent was used for each sample titrated.

Titrations of second and third samples in the same aliquot of solvent did not repeat consistently

the results of the first titrations in many cases.

Table 13 lists results of the D-1744 moisture determinations of the 10 re-refined base oils.

Water contents ranged from 40 to 219 ppm. Uncertainty of the determinations is about ±5 ppm, expressed as a standard deviation of at least three measurements. (For example, four tests of an

oil yielded results of 96, 88, 84, and 92 ppm. The average is 90 with a standard deviation of 5 ppm.) This is well within the stated repeatability of D-1744, 11 ppm of water.

136
Table 13. Moisture content of re-refined base oils

Oil ug H

20/g Oil

N 88

p 56

o 87

R 108

S 57

T 90

U 91

V 40

w 75

X 219

Accurate recovery of water was demonstrated by titrations of pure water before and after

additions of oil to the Karl Fischer reaction solution. Results differed by 5 percent or less. Tests which included the azeotropic distillation step demonstrated similar repeatability as shown in

table 14.

Table 14. Repeatability of azeotropic Karl Fisher titration

Moisture Content

Oil ug H 0/g Oil Average Std. Dev. (la)

RB007 123 114 6 118

110

VB5090 31 33 7 28

41

7.3. Conclusions

The Karl Fischer titration method for water, ASTM D-1744, has been found to be acceptable for

the determination of water in re-refined oils with the modifications as described above.

8. Summary

Six existing standard test methods were evaluated for the determination of the chemical

properties of ten re-refined base oils typical of those commercially available in the United States. These test methods include: TAN, TBN, nitrogen, basic nitrogen, saponification number, and water

content in base oils. All of the test methods except TAN and basic nitrogen required some modification. Most of the modifications were necessary to extend the detection limit to lower

ranges. Practical lower detection limits, for each of these characteristics are as follows: total

acid number, 0.1 units; total base number, 0.05 unit; total nitrogen, 50 ppm; basic nitrogen, 15 ppm; saponification number, 0.1 unit; and water, 20 ppm. These test procedures, as modified, were

found acceptable to monitor the chemical properties of re-refined base oils.

137
9. References

[I] ASTM D-664 Test for Neutralization Number by Potentiometric Titration, Annual Book of ASTM

Standards, part 23.

[2] ASTM D-2896 Test for Total Base Number of Petroleum Products by Potentiometric Perchloric Acid

Titration, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, part 24.

[3] ASTM D-3228-79 Test for Total Nitrogen in Lubricating Oils by Modified Kjeldahl Method, Annual

Book of ASTM Standards, part 25.

[4] ASTM D-1744-64 Test for Water in Liquid Petroleum Products by Karl Fischer Reagent, Annual Book

of ASTM Standards, part 24.

[5] ASTM D-94-71 Test for Saponification Number of Petroleum Products, Annual Book of ASTM

Standards, part 23.

[6] UOP 269-70T, Nitrogen Bases in Hydrocarbons by Potentiometric Titration, Universal Oil Products

Company, Oes Plaines, IL, 1970.

[7] UOP 384-76, Nitrogen in Petroleum Distillates and Heavy Oil by Acid Extraction or Direct

Kjeldahl Procedures, Universal Oil Products Company, Des Plaines, IL, 1976.

[8] Nobel, E.D. , "Determination of Trace Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Petroleum Stock," Anal. Chem. 27,

(9), 1413-1416 (1955).

[9] Milner, 0.1. , Zahner, R.J., Hepner, L.S., and Cowell, W.H., "Determination of Trace Quantities

of Nitrogen in Petroleum Fractions," Anal. Chem., 30 (9), 1528-1530 (1958).

[10] Lake, G.R. , McCutchan, P., VanMeter, R. , and Neel , J.C., "Effects of Digestion Temperature on Kjeldahl Analyses," Anal. Chem., 23 (11), 1634-1638 (1951).

[II] "A Method for Determining Nitrogen in Hydrocarbons by Oxidative Combustion, Chemi luminescence

Detection," Working Document for ASTM Committee D2-RDD IIIC (1981).

[12] Swann, W. B. , Zahner, R. J., and Milner, 0. I., "Improved Saponification Number Determination

by Use of Ion Exchange," Anal. Chem., 30 (11), 1830-1833 (1958).

[13] Mitchell, J. and Smith, D. M. , "Aquametry," Intersci ence , New York, 1948.

138
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982.

(Issued July 1984).

EVALUATION OF ASHING METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF TOTAL METAL

CONTENT OF LUBRICATING OIL BASESTOCKS

J. J. Comeford and S. M. Hsu

Chemical Stability and Tribology Group

Inorganic Materials Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Ash from a petroleum oil is the residue, free of carbonaceous material,

remaining after burning and ignition in air at a specified high temperature. Ash

content of a re-refined oil provides a method for the determination of total metals

resulting from wear or additive metals remaining after re-refining.

Three ashing methods were evaluated for metal retention to ensure that the ash

value reflects an oil's total metal content, including such metals as magnesium and

lead which are volatile under the ashing conditions. The sulfated ash method (ASTM

D874) was found to have good metal retention properties, and was modified to improve

its precision in the low ash range.

The sulfated ash content of ten re-refined basestocks, representing products

from most of the major U.S. re-refiners, ranged from 0.005 percent of 0.017 percent.

The majority of the virgin stocks measured had ash values below 0.005 percent.

1. Introduction

Ash from a petroleum oil may be defined as the residue, free from carbonaceous material,

remaining after burning and ignition in air at a specified high temperature of the sample [l] 1. The

ash content of a lubricating base oil indicates the relative amount of ash-forming elements

remaining after refining. Therefore, it also reflects the degree and effectiveness of the refining

process in removing these elements. In the case of re-refined lubricating base oils, ash content

could indicate the amount of residual additive metals after the re-refining process. In addition,

an indication of wear metals or other ash-forming elements acquired in use and remaining after

re-refining may be obtained also. High levels of these metals, indicated by high ash values, may

suggest deficiencies in the re-refining of the oil. The presence of large amounts of these metals

may affect the oil performance. Ash content, therefore, to some extent reflects the contaminant

1 evel of the oil.

Ashing techniques have been applied to a wide range of organic materials to determine their

inorganic components; e.g., the mineral contents of foods and biological specimens [2,3]. Ashing of

a sample involves the use of heat--ignition and burning--or chemical means to remove carbonaceous

material, leaving an inorganic residue comprised generally of the oxides of the metals. In this

study only ashing techniques applicable to petroleum lubricating oils are evaluated.

The ash content of petroleum oils is an indication of the amount of inorganic matter present in

the oil. In a virgin crude oil these may be naturally-occurring elements such as chromium, nickel,

vanadium, and sodium [4]. Nickel and chromium, which occur in the form of volatile organo-metal 1 ic

complexes in the oil, may be lost easily during the initial ignition step. To avoid this loss, a wet ashing or predigestion step may be used. Replacing the ignition step by digestion in a strong

chemical agent such as fuming sulfuric acid removes the hydrocarbon components while reducing the

loss of volatile metals. These naturally-occurring metals are not present in significant quantities

in refined base oils.

Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

139
In the case of re-refined oils, three additional sources of ash precursors may be present,

depending upon the completeness of re-refining: residual additives, wear metals, or contaminants.

Additive metals, including those in the fuel, may be lead, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and silicon.

Wear metals resulting from engine components are primarily iron, aluminum, and copper. Silicon and

iron may result from contaminants such as dirt or rust. Analytical results of metals in various

oils are given in tables 1-3.

In formulated oils, ash is used to monitor additive content when metal-based additives are employed. These additives may contain compounds of zinc, calcium, silicon, and magnesium [5].

In table 1 the metal content of a typical re-refining feedstock (used oil) is given, as well as that of a re-refined base oil. Metal contents of virgin basestocks are generally below the

detectable limits for conventional atomic absorption spectroscopy-- in these cases less than 1 to 5 ug/g--as indicated in table 1. Of the elements listed in table 2 and summarized in table 3, barium,

calcium, and zinc are commonly associated with additives present in the oil. Successful re-refining

of the oils listed in the table is indicated by the removal of essentially all of the wear and

additive metals, compared with the feedstock values shown in table 1.

Given the wide range of elements as summarized in table 3, and the possibility of volatile

compounds, it is important that the ashing conditions minimize the loss of the metals that may be

present in re-refined oils. Temperature, chemical composition of the ash, and the ashing procedure

itself will affect metal retention.

2. Ashing Methods

Ashing of petroleum oils may be accomplished in several ways [2,6-8]. A weighed sample of

approximately 50 g, placed in a refractory dish such as porcelain or Vycor, is ignited and burned.

The sample may require heating to maintain the burning. The carbonaceous material remaining is driven off by heating the sample to a constant weight in a furnace at 775 °C, this temperature

having been found to produce an ash of repeatable composition. Metals present in the sample are converted to their oxides by this method. Since the oxides of certain metals such as lead are volatile or decompose at this temperature, the ash may be treated with sulfuric acid (sulfation)

after ignition to convert the less stable oxides to sulfates and hence lower metals loss [3,4]. The

melting points for the oxides and sulfates of elements likely to be found in re-refined oils are shown in table 4 [9]. For most of the elements of concern, both oxides and sulfates are stable at the ashing temperature, 775 °C. However, the sulfates of iron and zinc are unstable at the ashing

temperature and decompose to the more stable oxides. In the case of lead in the regular ashing

method, D482, a number of oxides are produced, most of which decompose below 775 °C. Hence,

conversion to the sulfate results in reduction of lead loss and a stable ash of constant composition.

Only ashing methods applicable to petroleum derived lubricating oil basestocks were evaluated

in this study. The methods were examined for precision, repeatability, and accuracy with respect to both virgin and re-refined base oils. Three ashing methods--D482 (IP 4) ash, ASTM D874-79 (IP

163/78) sulfated ash, and a wet ashing procedure—were studied [1].

The ASTM D482 ash method involves burning a weighed sample and subsequent ignition of the

carbonaceous residue in a muffle furnace at 775 °C to constant weight. The ASTM D874 sulfated ash

method involves burning the weighed sample until only ash and carbon remain. The residue is then

treated with concentrated sulfuric acid, H 2 S04 , and heated in a furnace at 775 °C until oxidation of

the carbon is complete. The sample is re-treated with dilute sulfuric acid (1:1) and heated at 775 °C to constant weight. In the third method, wet ashing, an initial sample, weighing 50 g or more is destroyed with strong oxidizing agents, and taken to dryness. The sample is then placed in

a muffle furnace at 550 °C and heated to constant weight.

D482 is intended to measure ash-forming materials in petroleum products free from ash-forming

additives. A lower limit of applicability is not stated, although precisions are given to 0.001

percent ash [1]. D874, sulfated ash, was developed for use in measuring additive metal concentrations of compounded oils with a minimum ash of 0.005 percent [1]. A majority of the re-refined and

virgin base oils tested yielded ash values below the stated minimum level for method D874 as shown

in table 5. Therefore, the applicability of these methods in the low ash range— i.e., below 0.005

percent—was examined.

140
Table 1. Metal analysis for used and based oils

Element (ug/g) Used Oil [11] Re-Refined Oi

1

a Virgin Oil

Barium 260 <0.5 <0.5

Calcium 1431 2.5 ± 0.1 <0.2

Magnesium 227 0.78C ND

Sodium 764 0.42 d 0.02

d

Zinc 860 2.3 ± 0.9 <0.2

Aluminum 10 ND ND

Chromium 7 ND ND

Copper 41 ND ND

Iron 129 10.5 +1.1 1.1

Lead 4890 1.4 ± 0.2 <1

Silicon 38 <5 <5

ND - Not determined.

aAAS, T. Rains, Average of forty determinations (AAS = Atomic absorption spectroscopy).

bAAS,

C ICP, R. Watters (ICP = Inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy).

dNAA, R. Fleming (NAA = Neutron activation analysis).

Table 2. Metal content of re-refined base oils 3

Sample Ba Ca Fe Pb Si Zn

RA <0.5 0.23 <0.5 2.3 <5 9.4

RB <0.5 1.8 0.7 1 <5 0.7

RC <0.5 2.5 9.5 1 <5 1.9

RE <0.5 10 0.6 2.7 <5 41

RF <0.5 0.6 <0.5 <1 <5 <0.2

RG <0.5 <0.2 2.9 <1 <5 <0.2

RH 0.5 0.47 1.4 <1 <5 <0.2

Atomic absorption spectroscopy.

141
Table 3. Range of metal concentrations for re-refined base oils 3

Element Maximum (pg/g) Minimum (ug/g)

Barium <0.5 <0.5

Calcium 13 <0.2

Iron 10.5 0.2

Lead 2.5 <1

Magnesium 0.78 0.18

Zinc 41 <0.2

aAAS , T. Rains.

Table 4. Melting points for oxides and sulfates, °C

a

Element Oxide Sulfate

aCRC Handbook, of Chemistry and Physics, 49

th

ed.

b dec. = decomposes.

Compound Melting Point Compound

Barium BaO 1923° BaS0

4

Cal ci urn CaO 2565° CaS0

4 Iron Fe 2°3 1565° Fe

2 (S04

) 3 Lead PbO 880° PbSO.

4 Pb0

2 dec. 290° b

Pb

2

o

3 dec. 370°

Pb3°4 dec. 500°

Magnesium MgO 2800° MgS0

4

Si 1 icon Si0

2 1600° Si0

£ Zinc ZnO 1975° ZnSO

Melting Point

1580°

1450°

dec. 480°

1170°

dec. 1124°

1600°

dec. 600°

142
Table 5. Sulfated ash values for lubricating base oils

Method D874M3

Sample n Ash * (x) s RSD

RA 3

r\ n n o n

0. 0039 0 0002 5

RB 3 0. 0012 0 0006 5

RC 3 0. 0066 0 0001 1

RD 2 0. 0183 0 0008 5

RE 3 0. 0170 0 0003 2

RF 3 n n n n c 0. 000S 0 0001 17

RG 2

n n n i n

0. 0030 0 0004 14

RH 3 0. 0046 0 0009 19

RI 2

n n f\i n

0. 0019 0 0002 10

RJ 3 n nn o o 0 . 0022 0 0012 55

n t/ RK 3 0. 0043 0 0010 23

n i RL 3 0. 0025 0 0002 n

9

VA 2

n n n n n ^

0. 0000

VB 3 n nnnn 0. 0000

VC 3 0.0000

VD 3 0.0005 0 0001 23

VE 3 0.0000

VF 3 0.0000

VG 3 0.0038 0. 0012 30

Method D874 modified by using Vycor crucibles and constant cooling time.

^Weights of ash of less time than 0.2 mg or 0.004% were taken as zero.

The possible loss of metals, such as lead and magnesium, through volatilization during ashing

required an evaluation of the degree of metal retention for these methods. Clearly, loss of

significant amounts of metals during ashing would reduce the usefulness of the method as an indicator

of metal-containing compounds. The regular ash method, D482, was found to be less satisfactory than

D874 due to the loss of lead and magnesium during ashing. The sulfated ash, D874, was found to provide a satisfactory measurement of the ash-forming elements, including lead and magnesium, down

to 0.004 percent total ash.

143
D874 was modified to improve its precision in the low ash range. These modifications consisted

of the use of Vycor dishes for ashing and a constant cooling time after removal of the sample from

the muffle furnace. The modified sulfated ash method, distinguished here as D874M, was found to improve results with re-refined lubricating base oils (see Section 5, below).

3. Evaluation of Ashing Method Precision

Precision of ASTM test methods is defined in terms of repeatability and reproducibility of the

method. Repeatability is the amount of difference between successive test results, obtained by the same apparatus and operator under identical test conditions, that would be exceeded only in one case

in 20. Reproducibility is the difference between two, single and independent results, obtained by

different operators working in different laboratories on identical test material which would, in the

long run, in the normal and correct operation of the test exceed only one case in 20.

Several factors may affect the precision of ashing methods. For example, the relative

precision of the method tends to decrease with the value of the ash content. Ash contents of

basestocks are generally low, and in some instances fall below the published lower limit for a given

method. Also, design parameters of the methods--e. g. , the way the ash samples are weighed—will

affect the precision. An additional variable is the type of metallic element(s) present in the oil.

Elements which may be lost easily through volatilization during the ashing process will increase the

variability of the results, hence, lowering the precision.

The first factor, low levels of ash, is discussed here. Section 4 addresses the problem of

metal loss in various methods. Modifications to D874, sulfated ash, designed to improve the

low-level precision are discussed in Section 6.

Since the ash content for re-refined basestocks often falls below the stated ranges for the

methods, it v/as necessary to evaluate the precision in the low range. ASTM method D482, "Ash from

Petroleum Products," has no stated lower limit, and is intended for products that are free from

added ash-forming additives. The test method states that it has a repeatability of 0.003 percent ash

in the range 0.001-0.79 percent ash. ASTM D874, "Sulfated Ash from Lubricating Oils and Additives,"

has a stated lower limit of applicability of 0.005 percent ash. It is intended for additive-containinc

oils, and, at levels below 0.02 percent ash, is restricted to oils containing ashless additives.

The "wet ashing" technique, which employs strong oxidizing agents, is not an ASTM method and has no established lower limit of precision.

A re-refined base oil, RB, was selected to determine the repeatability of the methods. Metal

analyses by means of AAS showed low levels of metals in the indicated amounts: calcium, 1.2 pg/g;

zinc, 0.5 pg/g; iron, 0.8 pg/g; and lead, less than 0.1 pg/g. Silicon was found to be less than 5 pg/g. Therefore, a low ash value was anticipated. Multiple determinations of the ash level of RB by the various methods being evaluated were made. The data are given in table 6.

For method D482, all values obtained fell within the stated precision for the method. However,

Operator C's values were at the lower limit of applicability and B's were below the limit of

applicability. All values for sulfated ash, D874, fell below the stated lower limit for the method.

Since the metal content of RB0023 is relatively low, as mentioned above, fluctuations in the low ash

range shown in table 6 are not due to metal loss but to method design, as will be discussed in Section 6.

Precision data for method 0874 on ash values below 0.02 percent was originally developed by

ASTM using platinum crucibles. Table 7 compares for ash values obtained using the modified sulfated

ash (fused silica crucibles) with values obtained using platinum. The observed repeatability for

both types of crucibles is within the limits called for in the precision statement of D874.

Although the results with platinum show somewhat improved repeatability, their use is not recommended due to the limited availability of large (120-150 ml capacity) crucibles and the

possibility or damage to the platinum if phosphorus is present [1].

144
Table 6. Precision of ashing methods for a re-refined basestock, RC

Method Operator n X(%) S(%) RSD (S/X) x 100

Reproducibi 1 ity

as stated in method (%)

D482 0.0027 0.0007

0.0005 0.0003

0.0011 0.0003

27

64

27

.005 at .001%

D874 0.0036

0.0017

0.001

0.0006

30 0.002 at 0.005

36

Wet Ash 0.0044 0.0014 32

D874M 0.0022 0.0002

Constant cooling time with Vycor dish.

4. Evaluation of Ashing Method Metal Retention

The three ashing methods for petroleum oils were evaluated for metal loss using both single

element additions and multiple element additions to the oils. Single element studies were limited

to lead, since of the more volatile elements, lead is more likely to be found in re-refined oils

[2,5,9]. The multi-element studies were done using typical chemical forms of the elements used in additives to evaluate possible interactions to form more volatile compounds; e.g., reactions to form

volatile phosphorous compounds.

4.1. Single Element Additions

The method of standard additions was used to evaluate lead recovery. The method involves

addition of known amounts of a standard solution of a lead compound to the oil sample and determination of the weight of the resulting ash. Since the ash level will now be in the applicable range

for the analysis method, this procedure eliminates the problems associated with analyses of samples

with low ash values. The ashing method used was ASTM D874M, sulfated ash, modified to improve its

precision in the low ash range (percent ash <0.02) (see Section 5).

Known amounts of lead in a "standard" solution were added to a very low ash re-refined base

oil. The standard solution was prepared from SRM 2059b, lead cyclohexanebutyrate, which contains

36.65 ± 0.065 percent lead by weight. The solution was made up to approximately 1000 ug/g of Pb in

low ash Conostan base oil. Equivalent amounts of the standard lead solution were added to the base

oil and the sample ashed. Three different levels of added lead were used with multiple determinations at each level.

145
The experimental results are found in table 8. If we assume complete conversion of the ash to PbS04 , the percent lead may be calculated from the slope of a plot of mg Pb added vs mg ash obtainec

The ratio lead/lead sulfate is the gravimetric factor converting lead sulfate to lead. The slope

from figure 1 equals the milligrams of ash divided by the milligrams of lead, 9.4/7.0. The percent

lead equals 9.4/7.0 times the gravimetric factor, lead/lead sulfate, times 100, or 92 percent.

Table 7. Comparison of precisions for sulfated ash using platinum and Vycor crucibles

Sampl

e

Ash (w/w%)

Observed

Repeatabi 1 ity

Calculated

Repeatabi 1 ity

c Ash (w/w%) Mean Value

Vycor Crucible

RC 0.00658

0.00649

0.00663

0.00009

0.00014 0. 00066 0.0066 0.0001

RB 0.0023

0.0023

0.0020

0.0000

0.0003 0.0003 0.0022 0.0002

RD 0.0131

0.0127

0.0119

0.0004

0.0008 0.0016 0.0126 0.0006

Platinum Crucible

RD 0.0139

0.0144

0.0152

0.0142

0.0005

0.0008

0.0010 0.0013 0.0144 0.0006

RB 0. 00175

0.00180

0.00185

0.00180

0.0005

0.0005

0.0005 0.0002 0.0018 0.00004

RC 0.00674

0.00690

0.00656

0.00650

0.0002

0.0004

0.00006 0.00066 0.0067 0.0002

Calculated repeatability = 0.047 x

' where x is mean of two consecutive determinations

under identical conditions.

Calculated reproducibility = 0.189 x ^-85 wnere x ^ s mean 0 f two test results under

different conditions. For RB0042 calculated repeatability 0.0049%.

4.2. Multiple Element Additions

The possibility of synergistic effects (e.g., increases in the loss of certain elements)

arising from the additive compound type was investigated using multi-element additions to the base

oil. Losses could arise, for example, through the formation of volatile phosphorus or sulfur

compounds by reactions with the additive zinc dithiophosphate. By including elements known to be

non-volatile, such as iron and calcium, the analytical recovery of the procedure can be checked.

Known amounts of iron, lead, zinc, calcium, and magnesium compounds were added to an ashless

oil. The chemical compounds used for the zinc, calcium, and magnesium additions are typical of

commercial additives, and thus closely approximate possible residual additives which may be present

in certain re-refined oils.

146
The metal -containing compounds used were SRM 1079b, tris(l-phenyl-l,3-butanediono) iron(III),

(%Fe: 10.45±0.04); SRM 1059b, lead cycl ohexanebutyrate , (%Pb: 36.65±0.06); zinc dithiophosphate,

(%Zn: 9); calcium phenate, (%Ca: 9); and magnesium sulfonate, (%Mg: 9.4). A stock solution

containing the five elements was prepared and the amounts indicated in Appendix A ("mg added") were

added to 50 g samples of metal-free base oil (Conostan 85). Two concentration levels were employed:

approximately 1.8 mg per 50 g of sample ("high level"), and approximately 0.18 mg per 50 g of oil

("low level").

Table 8. Lead retention in sulfated ash-method of additions 3

Pb(mg) Sample weight (oil + Pb compound, g) Ash(mg)

1.99 50.0614 2.36

1.99 50.0231 2.42

2.00 50.0147 2.49

3.98 50.0686 4.36

3.98 50.4450 4.70

5.97 51.0413 7.87

5.97 50.0133 8.74

5.97 50.0834 8.74

aAsh method was D874M (see text).

Percent lead = (mg Ash/mg lead) (at. wt. lead/mol. wt. lead sulfate) x 100.

Samples were run in duplicate. The resulting ashes were dissolved and analyzed using atomic

absorption spectroscopy. The results are found in Appendix A and are summarized in table 9 for

lead. Considering the problems attendant in the recovery and determination of small amounts of

metal (0.1 mg), the agreement is quite good. Generally, iron and calcium were in good agreement,

and since no loss of these elements was anticipated, these elements provided a check in the

analytical method. For the wet ashing method, one sample each gave very high iron (178 percent) and

high zinc (129 percent) recoveries, indicating an analytical problem for these particular samples.

The samples at low levels (0.2 mg) of metal addition presented a difficult analytical problem,

especially in the case of lead, where only 9 percent was recovered by method D874 (see table 9). At the 1.8 mg level of lead addition, recovery was 50 percent--sti 1 1 somewhat lower than the 92 percent

obtained by the method of additions. The 92 percent value should be taken as the more accurate one

due to the problems in direct analysis of the ash. The primary problem is the formation of a lead

glass which attaches very strongly to the Vycor and cannot be quantitatively removed.

4.3. Evaluation of Overall Metal Retention

The results of the multielement additions can be summarized as follows:

147
Method

D482

D874M

Wet ash

Result

Complete retention of Fe, Zn, and Ca Good retention of Mg (80 percent)

Very low retention of Pb (32 percent)

Complete retention of Fe, Zn, and Ca Good retention of Mg (80 percent)

Good retention of Pb (92 percent)

(standard additions)

Complete retention of Fe, Zn, and Ca Good retention of Mg (80 percent)

Good retention of Pb (86 percent)

(multielement addition)

Method

D482

Table 9. Summary of lead recoveries in ash methods. Ash analysis by

atomic absorption spectroscopy

Doping Procedure Cone. (mg/50g oil) Lead Recovery(%)

Multielement Addition

Mul ti element

1.8

0.18

32.0

19.0

D874

Multielement

Multielement

Standard Additions

1.8

0.18

2,4,6

50.0

9.0

89.0

Used Oil W022

Used Oil W011

655.0

329.0

86. o: 96. 0

C

Wet

Ashi ng

Multielement 1.8

0.18

86.0

81.0

D. A. Becker and J. J. Comeford, Recycled Oil Program: Phase 1 - Test Procedures for

Recycled Oil Used as Burner Fuel. NBS Tech Note 1130, August 1980.

D482 appears unsatisfactory for oils which may contain lead. The 0874 and wet ashing methods would

appear satisfactory, both methods offering considerable improvement over D482. However, there was

not 100 percent retention of the lead or magnesium. Except for the method of additions, lead

recoveries in these experiments may be low, due to fusion of the lead salts with the Vycor crucible

The method of additions would appear to be the most accurate method, eliminating the problems

associated with analysis of small amounts of ash. Based on this procedure, ASTM D874 gives a lead

retention of 92 percent, a satisfactory level of recovery.

4.4. Metal Speciation in Ash

Composition of the ash is important for several reasons. The method of standard additions,

used to evaluate lead retention in method D874, assumes the lead present in the ash is in the form

of lead sulfate. Thus, variations in composition of the ash will affect the precision of the

method. Moreover, if the composition of the ash is known, a material balance can be made by

calculating the amount of ash expected from the metal concentrations present in the base oil.

148
4.4.1. Phase Identification

X-ray powder diffraction techniques were used to identify the crystalline phase of five ash

samples. Samples were removed from the porcelain crucibles by scraping. Due to the small sample

sizes and the difficulty in obtaining a homogeneous or representative sample from the crucibles, the

phase identifications must be considered tentative. Only lead and magnesium were investigated,

since of the elements present, they are the ones most likely to be lost. Identification for sample

B is tentative due to the small amount (10.6 mg) of sample. The results are summarized:

Code Sample Method Phase Identified

A. A (Pb added) Wet ash 550 °C PbS0

4+Pb2 (S04

)0

B. VIII 1 (Pb added) D874 PbS0

4

+ possible minor phase

C. I' (Mg added) 0874 MgS0

4

• SH^

D. XIV (Mg added) Wet ash 550 °C MgS0

4

• 6H

2 0

E. IX 1 (Mg added) D482 MgO

The x-ray results tend to confirm that the major phase produced in the sulfated ash method (D874) is sulfate, as shown by samples A and B. Thus, the assumption needed to use the method of standard

additions appears to be a good one.

4.4.2. Mass Balance Comparisons

A comparison was made of observed and calculated sulfated ashes, based on actual metal contents

of the oils. A high degree of correlation between the analyzed metals would indicate the method

reflects the metal content of the oil.

The metal concentrations determined for the oils are listed in table 3. For this comparison,

complete conversion of the metals to the salts was assumed. The compounds formed for the analyzed

metals are BaS04 , CaS04 , Fe2 0 3 , MgS04 , Si02

, and ZnO. The comparison between the calculated

sulfated ash and the measured ash is shown in table 10. Since all ash-forming materials were not determined in the initial oil sample, a comparison of actual values was not feasible. Instead, the

samples were ranked by percent of ash. The order of this ranking, as shown in table 10, indicates a reasonable correlation between the calculated and observed values.

5. Recommended Ashing Method: Modified Sulfated Ash

In table 11 values of regular ash, 0482, and sulfated ash, D874M, are compared. As anticipated, since the sulfates are heavier than the oxides, the D874 values are the same or higher

than the D482 values. The higher values for D874 indicate a greater sensitivity for the metals

present. However, since all of these re-refined oils contain very low metal contents as determined

by atomic absorption spectroscopy--generally in the 1 to 10 ug/g range—both methods give

approximately the same relative ranking of ash values for the oils. At considerably higher metal

concentrations, especially for oils containing lead, the D874 method reflects more accurately the

metal concentration.

Therefore, the sulfated ash method, D874, was modified to provide improved accuracy and

precision for the determination of ash in the low range. The sulfated ash method was selected

because of its better retention of metals such as lead. The modifications were directed at improving the repeatability of the method, stated to be 0.0005 percent at the lower limit of 0.005

percent.
5.1. Modifications

The modifications consisted of a change from porcelain to Vycor crucibles, and a constant

cooling time for the samples after removal from the furnace. Since the majority of samples

measured had ash weights of less than 1 mg (0.002% ash), the ASTM method calls for successive

heatings of the sample until successive weights differ by no more than 1.0 mg. In order to tighten

this criterion (i.e., improve the repeatability of the measurement), 100 ml Vycor dishes were used

in place of porcelain crucibles. After removal of the samples from the 775 °C furnace, the samples were cooled for 45 minutes in a desiccator, transferred to a second desiccator for an additional 15 minutes, and then weighed on a semi-micro analytical balance. The criterion for consistency of

weight was set at 0.5 mg for consecutive heatings in the furnace.

These changes aided in reducing weight variations due to temperature-humidity fluctuations.

Also, the number of heating cycles needed to meet the new constant weight criterion of 0.5 mg was reduced significantly. The repeatability obtained with these modifications are shown as D874M in table

6. Based on these results, the changes have resulted in improved reproducibility at low ash levels.

Table 10. Comparison of observed and calculated sulfated ash

Sample Ash % (D874M) Rank Calculated Ash(%) Rank

RE 0 017 1 0.009 1

RG 0 0068 2 0.0004 5

RC 0 0066 3 0.0024 2

RH 0. 0046 4 0.0004 6

RA 0 0039 5 0.0016 3

RE 0. 0022 6 0.0008 4

RI 0 0019 7 0.0004 7

Table 11. Comparison of D482 and D874M ash values (%)

Sample D482 Rank D874M Rank

RA 0 0039 4 0 0038 5

RB 0 0011 6 0 0022 6

RC 0 0056 3 0 0066 3

RE 0 017 1 0. 0170 1

RF 0 00010 7 0. 0005 7

RG 0 0057 2 0. 0068 2

RH 0 0013 5 0 0046 4

150
Table 12. Metal retention - multielement additions

Method Result

D482 Complete retention of Fe, Zn, and Ca

Good retention of Mg (80%)

Very low retention of Pb (32%)

D874 Complete retention of Fe, Zn, and Ca

Good retention of Mg (80%)

Good retention of Pb (92%)

(standard additions)

Wet ash Complete retention of Fe, Zn, and Ca

Good retention of Mg (80%)

Good retention of Pb (86%)

(multielement addition)

In this report the designation, D874M, is used to distinguish the modified method from the

published D874 method.

Regular ash, ASTM D482; sulfated ash, ASTM D874; and wet ashing methods have been evaluated for

applicability to re-refined lubricating base oils. The sulfated ash method was modified to improve

repeatability, and is designated here as D874M. A set of 10 re-refined base oils, representing

current production of the major re-refiners, was employed in the evaluation. Theobserved ranges

and means for the re-refined base stocks were for D482, 0.0001 to 0.017 percent, X_= 0.0046 percent

(see table 10); and for the modified sulfated ash, D874M, 0.005 to 0.017 percent, X = 0.0056 percent

(see table 1).

Based on the metal retention studies, there appears to be no significant advantage to wet

ashing over D874M. There are several disadvantages to the wet ashing which tend to make it

non-routine for the large (50 g or more) samples required. In particular, the use of strong

oxidizing agents with large petroleum samples can lead to explosive conditions and should be

attempted only with extensive safety precautions.

Regular ash, D482, the least time-consuming method, does not reflect volatile metal oil

components such as lead. A comparison of the D482 and D874M ash methods for re-refined base stocks

containing only trace amounts of metals (10 pg/g or less) indicated no significant difference (see

table 11). For ash-forming impurities, such as metals at higher concentrations, D874M would reflect

the metal content more accurately.

The authors would like to express the appreciation to C. Hubbard and S. Carmel for the X-ray

analysis and T. Rains for the atomic absorption analysis of the ash samples.

6. Summary

151
7. References

[1] 1981 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Part 23, Petroleum Products and Lubricants, American

Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, 1981.

[2] T. T. Goursuch, Analyst (London) Radiochemical Investigations on the Recovery for Analysis of Trace Elements, 84, 135-73 (1959). (Also: T.T. Gorsuch, The Destruction of Organic Matter,

Pergamon Press (New York) 1970.

)

[3] M. Feinberg and C. Ducauze, High Temperature Dry Ashing of Foods for Atomic Absorption

Spectrometric Determination of Lead, Cadmium, and Copper, Anal. Chem. 52, 209-11 (1980).

[4] 0. I. Milner, J. R. Glass, J. P. Kirchner and A. N. Yurick, Determination of Trace Metals in Crudes and Other Petroleum Oils, Anal. Chem. 24, 1728-32 (1952).

[5] C. V. Smalheer, Additives, Interdisciplinary approach to Liquid Lubricant Technology. NASA

SP-318, P. M. Ku, ed. Sept., 1972.

[6] T. T. Goursuch, Dissolution of Organic Materials, Accuracy in Trace Analysis, Vol. 1, P.D. Lefleur, Ed., U.S. Dept. of Commerce, 1976.

[7] R. A. Hofstader, 0. I. Milner and J. H. Rummels, eds. , Chapter 10, Lead, Analyses of Petroleum

for Trace Metals, Advances in Chemistry, Series 156, American Chemical Society, Washington,

D.C. , 1976.

[8] V. Valkovic, Trace Elements in Petroleum, The Petroleum Publishing Co., Tulsa, OK, 1978, pp. 210-14.

[9] CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 49th ed. , Chemical Rubber Co. Cleveland, Ohio, 1968.

[10] M. L. Whisman, et al . BERCRI-76/4 Waste Lubricating Oil Research: Part 4. A Summary of

Composition Variations Among 30 used Lubricating Oils Selected for Seasonal and Geographical

Significance, October 1976.

[11] D. A. Becker and J. J. Comeford, "Recycled Oil Program: Phase 0ne--Test Procedures for Recycled

Oil Used as Burner Fuel", NBS Technical Note 1130, August 1980.

152
Appendix A. Multielement retention during ashing3

Method Fe Pb Zn Ca Ma

D482

mg added 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.8 mg recovered 1. 9 U. fa/ Z. 3 1. 8 1. b % recovery 106 37 121 95 83

mg added 1.8 1. 8 1. 9 1. 9 1.8 mg recovered 1. 7 0. 48 2. 2 1. 9 1. 6 % recovery 94 27 116 100 89

A 1 1 l_ * l_ 1 Til Avg. high level

% recovery 100 32 118 97 86

mg added 0. 16 0.18 0.16 0. 17 0.16 mg recovered 0. 15 0. 038 0. 19 0. 16 0. 15 % recovery 94 21 119 94 94

mg added 0.16 0.18 0.16 0.17 0.16

mg recovered 0. 15 0.031 0.14 0. 15 0.099

% recovery 94 17 87 88 62

Avg. "Low level"

% recovery 94 19 103 91 78

D874

mg added 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.8

mg recovered 1. 5 0. 9 1. 6 1. 9 1. 2 % recovery 83 50 84 100 67

mg added 1. 6 1. 7 1. 6 1. 7 1.6 mg recovered 1. 5 0.9 1. 9 1. 7 1.4

% recovery 94 53 84 100 87

A 1 1 1 1 * 1 1 111 Avg. High level

% recovery 88 51 84 100 87

mg added 0.16 0.17 0. 16 0.17 0.16

mg recovered 0. 14 0. 01 0. 16 0. 17 0. 13

% recovery 87 5.9 100 100 81

mg added 0. 16 0.18 0.16 0. 18 0.16

mg recovered 0.15 0.02 0.16 0. 18 0.13

% recovery 94 11 100 100 81

Avg. "low level"

% recovery 90 9 100 100 81

Wet Ashing

XXIII mg added 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.7 mg recovered 3.5 1.5 1.9 1.7 1.2

% recovery 206 83 112 94 71

XXVI mg added 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.9 1.8 mg recovered 2.7 1.7 2.0 1.9 1.3

% recovery 150 86 111 100 72

153
Appendix A - (continued)

Method Fe

Avg. "High level 1 % recovery

XXIV

mg added

mg recovered

% recovery

XXII mg added

mg recovered

% recovery

Avg. "Low level"

% recovery

178

0.16

0. 16 100

0. 18

0.18

100

100

Pb

86

0.18

0.15

83

0.20

0. 16 80

81

Zn

111

0.16

0.21

131

0.18

0.23

128

129

Ca

97

0.18

0.16

89

0.20

0.15

75

82

Mg

72

0.16

0.15

94

0.18

0.16

89

91

aAshes analyzed using AAS, T. Rains.

154
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674, Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE MICROOXIDATION

TEST WITH CRANKCASE OILS

E. E. Klaus, P. Shah and V. Kri shnamachar

Department of Chemical Engineering

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA 16802

1. Introduction

The Penn State microoxidation test has been used to evaluate a wide variety of mineral oil and

synthetic lubricants. Techniques have been developed to use this test to study basestocks and

finished formulations under bulk system and concentrated contact conditions. The microoxidation

test also has been modified and adapted for use with re-refined and virgin base oils. This paper

covers three specific projects. First, a modified microoxidation evaluation using steel and copper

catalyst test cups has been used to provide a comparison of virgin and re-refined base oils. Second,

conventional microoxidation tests have been used to evaluate fractions separated chromatographical ly

from virgin and re-refined base oils. Some factions were produced by gravity percolation through a silica gel,column and others by an HPLC separation on a column with packing similar to that from the

gravity system. Third, a set of microoxidation test conditions have been developed to give good

correlation with formulated mineral oil lubricants in the 3C and 3D engine sequence test.

2. Test Procedures

The microoxidation test procedures have been described by several investigators [1-3]. 1 In conventional tests the fluid is held in a steel cup. However, for this work catalyst cups were made

from copper, babbitt, and aluminum as well as steel to show the effects of metal type on oxidation

rate and products. The typical tests in this study used a 40 \sH sample. After the test the sample was diluted with tetrahydrof uran and analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The analyses

of the oxidation products using the refractive index curve from GPC is shown on figure 1 for a superrefined mineral oil base stock. Curve 1 represents the superrefined mineral oil feed to the

microreactor and as such produces the total area to be distributed among the products of the

reaction. Curve 2 is generated from a sample of the lubricant that has been subjected to the

microoxidation test procedure using nitrogen instead of air as the circulating gas to give a minimum

value for evaporation loss. The loss under oxidizing conditions is always somewhat higher than

under nitrogen because some of the primary oxidation products are more volatile than the starting

material. The difference in evaporation loss between nitrogen and air is minimized by the rapid

secondary oxidation reactions that result in polymerization and reduced volatility. Curve 3 shows

the overall oxidized oil. The area under curve 1 not accounted for by the area under curve 3 is the

evaporation and the deposit left on the metal catalyst test cup. The deposit (sludge and varnish)

is obtained by the weight gain of the catalyst test cup during the test. This value is determined

by weighings on a microbalance. Curve 4 represents the unreacted superrefined mineral oil separated

from the oxidized product. For this purpose an aliquot of the oxidation product represented by

Curve 3 is percolated through clay in a hexane solvent to remove the oxidized material. Hexane is removed from the eluent and the unreacted material run in the GPC. The area between curves 3 and 4 represent the oxidized material generated by the test. This material is reported in two categories

as indicated by the lines on figure 1. The area indicated by the horizontal lines is oxidation

product in the same molecular weight range as the base oil. The cross-hatched section is the

oxidized material of higher molecular weight than the base oil. The material in this high molecular

weight range originally came from the area between Curves 1 and 4. A careful examination of Curves

3 and 4 indicate that there is no oxidized product representing the lower molecular weight fraction

of the base oil. That is, most of the oxidized product in the molecular weight range of the base

oil could be at least a dimer of the primary oxidation product. This type of analytical procedure

has been used for both base oils and finished formulations. Finished formulations contain

inhibitors that are lower than or the same as the base oil in molecular weight. These additives may

contribute to evaporation losses. Polymeric VI improvers and dispersants tend to have much higher

molecular weights than the basestock. The same system of analysis is used for the finished

formulations as for the base oil.

1 Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

155
MOLECULAR HEIGHT

Figure 1. Sample of analysis of oxidized superrefined mineral oils using

gel permeation chromatography with a refractive index detector.

Test Conditions: 225 °C; 40 u£; steel catalyst; 30 minutes; evaporation

test under nitrogen; oxidation test using air.

3. Basestock-Metal Systems

A superrefined mineral oil was used as a model basestock in this study of the effects of metals

on oxidation. The metals used include a low carbon steel, aluminum, a copper-tin babbitt, and copper. It has been demonstrated previously that mineral oil oxidation in a thin film on a metal

surface can be conducted without oxygen diffusion limitation. Under these conditions the oxidation

follows a first-order rate until more than 75 percent of the mineral oil feed has been reacted.

This relationship can be illustrated by a series of tests at 225 °C as shown on figure 2. These

data show that metals have significant effects on the oxidation rate. Steel and aluminum show a consistent rate curve for the oxidation through 75 percent oxidation of the base oil. The oxidation

rate curve for copper and babbitt show what appears to be a change in rate with test time. The rate appears to change significantly as metal-fluid interaction takes place. Data on figure 3 show a comparison of the behavior of copper test cups with a series of tests in which 2000 ppm soluble

copper is added as copper naphthenate. It can be seen that the soluble copper naphthenate on a steel catalyst shows the final oxidation rate similar to that obtained with the copper catalyst.

That is, corrosion products generated in the test run on the copper specimen behave in the same way

as the copper naphthenate added to the white oil. The data show that iron accelerates the oxidation

rate compared with aluminum, while copper and a copper containing babbitt show a substantial rate reduction.

The effects of metal catalysts on the condensation polymerization product from oxidation are shown in figure 4. These data show that the amount of condensation polymerization on each metal

catalyst follows the amount of primary oxidation on the same metal. This relationship indicates

that the subsequent condensation polymerization reaction is much faster than the primary oxidation

reaction. A better comparison of high molecular weight product formation can be obtained from a comparison at the same level of oxidation rather than the same oxidation time. These data are shown

on table 1. The oxidation on copper takes 4 to 5 times as long as that on the other metals to produce the same amount of oxidation. Under this comparison copper produces the most high molecular

weight material followed by iron and then aluminum and babbitt. Careful data analysis shows that

the high molecular weight product produced on copper is higher than that of the original base oil,

but not as high as that produced on a steel catalyst.

156
Table 1. Comparison of high molecular weight product formation on different metals at equal amounts of degradation

Microoxidation test conditions include: superrefined mineral oil 7828, 40 u£, and 225 °C

Wt. % Oxidized Product

Time Unreacted Original Higher

Metal Min. Wt. % Mol. Wt. Mol. Wt.

Fe 7.7 57 30 10.1

Al 8.5 57 29 6.5

Babbitt 10 57 21 6.5

Cu 40 57 13 15.4

Figure 2. Oxidative degradation of a superrefined mineral oil,

PRL7828, on different metals. Microoxidation test conditions

include: 40 u£ and 225 °C.

A complete analysis of oxidized products from base oils and formulated base oils containing a typical level of zinc dial kyldithiophosphate (0.15% phosphorus) is shown on table 2. These data

are shown for steel, aluminum and copper with a superrefined mineral oil, a good quality virgin

basestock, a well re-refined stock and a second re-refined stock. A careful analysis of these

oxidation data show that all of the fully formulated base oils also have the same oxidation

characteristics as the base oils alone when the test is conducted on the copper catalyst. Severe

oxidation takes place with the base oils on the steel catalyst. These data suggest that copper

corrosion products are effective as oxidation inhibitors like zinc dial kyldithiophosphate.

Data are presented in table 3 to show the effect of 2000 ppm of copper as copper naphthenate on

a superrefined base oil. The oxidation stability of the superrefined mineral oil system on steel is as good as a formulated superrefined mineral oil containing the equivalent of 0.15 percent

phosphorus as zinc di al kyldi thi ophosphate , plus 0.5 percent of phenyl alpha naphthyl ami ne. These

data indicate that the use of a soluble copper salt can provide oxidative stability equal to an effective automotive additive package.

One of the goals of this study is the evaluation of basestock quality. In general, the quality

of a virgin base oil is related to the response of the base oil to an inhibitor package. The

presence of polar impurities and "natural inhibitors" tends to reduce the effectiveness of a synthetic inhibitor package. A superrefined mineral oil basestock which shows excellent additive

response because the natural inhibitors have been removed shows little or no oxidation protection

when evaluated neat. This same trend is shown by poly alpha olefinic (PA0) synthetic hydrocarbons

157
and organic acid esters. One measure of basestock quality is suggested by the relative oxidation

behavior on steel and copper catalysts. The oxidation characteristics of the base oil on the steel

catalyst indicate the amount of natural and or synthetic inhibitors present. The better basestocks

show the higher levels of oxidation. Oxidation of the basestock on copper gives the equivalent of

the behavior of a well formulated oil with excellent oxidation protection. The ratio of the

oxidation rates or the ratio of the amount of unreacted base oil after tests with steel and copper

catalysts should provide a measure of base oil quality. The ratio of unreacted base oil in an oxidation test on copper to the unreacted base oil on steel for the same test time and temperature

has been used to rate a series of virgin and rerefined base oils. The data from table 2 show

examples of these base oils. The highest ratio on this scale represents the best quality base oil.

These data show that this quality ratio is highest for the superrefined mineral oil. The

values for the conventionally refined virgin basestock and NBS 5100 re-refined oil are about the

same. The second re-refined base oil NBS 5101 shows a low quality ratio indicating in this case that

the refining technique probably left some of the original additives, as well as some oxidized

products in the re-refined base oil. The same general quality index could be obtained for base oils

using a second series of microoxidation tests. The fully formulated base oil could be compared with

the base oil above on a steel catalyst. This comparison would produce the same quality index, but

does require an additive package. The choice of a common additive package would present some problems based on the notion that additives should be tailored to basestock composition.

Table 2. Additive response of several base oils

as a function of metal catalysts

Microoxidation test conditions: 225 °C, 30 min, 40 u£

Quantity of Material as % of Original

Oxidized Products

Metal >Mol. Wt. Same Mol. Wt. Unreacted

Basestock Catalyst Than Orig. As Orig. Material

PRL 7828

Supreref i ned

Fe

AlCu

31

19

12

27

39

9

1628

67

PRL 7828

+ 1.88% ZDP

Fe

A I Cu

11

88

6780

66

PRL 4209

Vi rgi n Fe

AlCu

23

17

7

41

3 b 12

25

32

68

PRL 4209

+ 1.88% ZDP

Fe

AlCu

10

99

676568

NBS 5100

Rerefined

Fe

AlCu

27

16

7

3434

17

224271

NBS 5100

+ 1.88% ZDP

Fe

AlCu

191619

68

70

69

NBS 5101

Reref i ned

1 e AlCu

1411

9

25

18

12

4 2 5269

NBS 5101

+ 1.88% ZDP

Fe

AlCu

10 12

15

67

65

66

158
20

—

-

o PRL7828 + 2000 ppm Cu (Cu naphthenate) jn Fe A PHI 7828 on Cu

0

i 1 1 10 20 30 40

TIME, MINUTES

Figure 3. Comparative effects of copper catalyst and soluble copper

naphthenate on the oxidative degradation of a superrefined mineral oil,

PRL7828. Microoxidation test conditions include: 40 u£ and 225 °C.

O Fe

Al O Babbitt

0 10 20 30 40

Figure 4. Effect of metal catalyst on the formation of high molecular

weight products from the oxidation of superrefined mineral oils, PRL7828.

Microoxidation test conditions include: 40 u£ and 225 °C.

Table 3. Comparative data for a conventional automotive inhibitor package and

copper naphthenate in a superrefined mineral oil, PRL 7828

Microoxidation test conditions: 225 °C, 30 min, 40 u£

Quantity of Material as % of Original

Oxidized Products

Metal >Mol. Wt. Same Mol. Wt. Unreacted

Basestock Catalyst Than Orig. As Orig. Material

PRL 7828 Fe 31 27 16

Al 19 39 28

Cu 12 9 67

PRL 7828 Fe 1 7 81

+ 2.0% Cu Nap. Al 0 3 80

Cu 0 4 77

PRL 7828 Fe 1 5 81

+ 1.88% ZDP Al 1 3 84

+ 0.5% PAN Cu 4 11 82

2.0 Cu Nap. = 2000 ppm Soluble Cu

159
The relative values for such a rating system are tabulated as follows:

Quality Ratio

PRL 7828 Superrefined mineral oil 4.2

PRL 4209 Conventionally refined mineral oil 2.7

NBS 5100 Re-refined base oil 3.2

NBS 5101 Re-refined base oil 1.6

4. Basestock Component Analysis

Another view of base oil quality can be obtained by chromatographic separation of the base oil

into several fractions. The Tri bochemi stry Group at the National Bureau of Standards used two different chromatographic processes to separate a series of virgin and re-refined base oils into

fractions that could be catagorized as (1) saturates, (2) aromatic, and (3) polar. The first set of

samples was obtained from a gravity percolation of the base oil through a silica gel type adsorbent.

The saturate fraction was the percolate. The aromatic fraction was washed from the column with

pentane. The third fraction containing polar natural inhibitors, inhibitors and oxidation products

was washed from the column with acetone. All three fractions from each oil were evaluated in the

microoxidation test for 30 minutes at 225 °C as shown in table 4.

Table 4. Oxidative stability of chromatographic fractions of base oils

Oils were separated by a gravity chromatographic process by NBS; oxidative test conditions: 40 u£, 225 °C, 30 min, on steel

Fluid Fraction

l

a RB07276

2

b RB07277

3° RB07275

l

a VB07279

2b VB07280

3° VB07278

c c 3 Corrected

la VB07282

2 b VB07283

3 C VB07281

3 C Corrected0

>Mol. Wt. Than Orig.

12.58

8.35

7.35

14.37

12.75

9. 18

14.68

18.46

13.26

13.19

7.20

Same Mol. Wt

as Orig. Evaporati on

RE-REFINED OIL X

53.80 31.90

52.36 37.88

66.67 25.41

VIRGIN OIL Y

60.37

63.38

36.40

58.19

V

64.14

74.48

25.96

53.54

VIRGIN OIL Z

24.13

23.49

52.46

24.00

16.85

12.26

59.76

17.00

Deposit

1.72

1.41

0.57

1.13

0.38

1.96

3.13

0.55

0.26

1.09

2.25

Fraction 1 is the saturates fraction eluted without solvent.

^Fraction 2 is the aromatic fraction eluted with pentane.

'Fraction 3 is the polar fraction eluted with acetone.

*These fractions were corrected by calculating the components on an acetone free basis.

160
The saturates fraction would be similar to a superref i ned mineral oil. The best quality on this basis would be the fraction that produces the highest level of oxidation on a steel catalyst.

Virgin oil Z shows the best properties as a base oil from the point of view of additive response,

while re-refined oil X shows the least desirable base oil properties. The pentane fractions would

contain aromatics and other slightly polar compounds. These materials fall in the natural inhibitor

class and show a lower level of oxidation than the saturates from the same base oils. The acetone

fractions of oils Y and Z showed a very high level of volatile material which is not typical of a virgin base oil, but appears in the GPC analysis where acetone would be expected to elute. The

corrected acetone fractions shown in table 4 are the GPC analysis for the oxidized fractions

corrected to produce the same evaporation loss as the other fractions of the same base oil. For the two virgin base oils the acetone fraction should contain polar impurities containing sulfur,

nitrogen and oxygen. The high level of deposits and high molecular weight products indicate that

this fraction contains some partially oxidized material along with natural inhibitors. The acetone fraction of the re-refined base oil X shows the best stability of these acetone fractions. The

behavior of the saturates fraction and the acetone fraction on base oil X indicates that the

re-refining process probably did not remove all of the inhibitors of the original additive package.

A second set of base oils was separated by the National Bureau of Standards using HPLC with

gradient elution. The three fractions from the HPLC separation correspond to those taken by gravity

elution chromatography. These fractions of virgin and re-refined base oils were evaluated in the

microoxidation test under the same conditions used with the gravity chromatography samples. The

behavior of the HPLC fractions is given on table 5. All of the saturates from the HPLC separation

show a consistent difference from the saturates of the gravity separation. The evaporation loss in all cases is excessive suggesting solvent contamination. The higher molecular weight and deposit

fractions of the saturated fractions are higher than predicted from the gravity separations. If the

data are corrected for excessive evaporation, the high molecular weight and deposit fractions appear

to be even higher. These data suggest solvent dilution and accelerated oxidation due to the

solvent. The aromatic and polar fractions from HPLC compare with the same fractions from the

gravity separations. The comparison of virgin and re-refined base oil fractions show some general

trends that follow expected behavior. However, solvent or other contamination problems limit the

analysis of the two sets of samples available from these separation techniques. The data presented

here suggest that with proper contamination control fractions separated from base oils can be

studied and their oxidation properties defined with the Penn State microoxidation test. The real advantage with this oxidation and analysis system is the very small samples required which does fit

well with the separation capability of HPLC.

5. Microoxidation Test - 3D Engine Sequence Correlation

The microoxidation test has also been used to evaluate finished automotive lubricants. The goal

of this study was the development of test conditions which simulate the lubricant degradation found

in 3C and 3D engine sequence testing. Viscosity increase and deposits which cause failure in 3C and

3D engine sequence tests result from severe oxidative degradation of the lubricant. The most severe conditions in these engine tests occur in the piston ring-cylinder area. There are indications that

temperatures in the range of 175 to 250 °C exist in the lubricant in this part of the system [4].

Oxidation behavior of automotive lubricants has been found to follow an Ahrrenius type

temperature-oxidation rate relationship. Studies in the microoxidation test where oxygen diffusion

problems have been eliminated show the typical activation energy for the reaction to be on the order

of 25 + 5 kilocalaries per gram mole. Based on this information the oxidation rate of a typical

crankcase oil would be expected to double for approximately every 12.5 °C increase in temperature.

In the temperature range of 175 to 250 °C this relationship appears to apply for a variety of

commercial and experimental automotive lubricant formulations. Based on these preliminary studies

test conditions have been chosen for the evaluation of crankcase lubricants to simulate engine

severity in the 3C and 3D tests. The microoxidation test conditions include a low carbon steel

catalyst and a 40 u£ sample. The test time at 200 °C is 2 hours, while the test time at 225 °C is 30 minutes. The two sets of test conditions should indicate differences between the relative

oxidation rates due to distinctive additive packages. These test conditions emphasize the formation

of high molecular weight products which contribute to viscosity increase.

The evaluation of engine tests also places a heavy emphasis on deposits in the engine. The 40

u£ microoxidation tests give some indication of deposits by measuring the weight gain of the steel

catalyst after the test. The deposits from these tests tend to be low enough to be only slightly

above the minimum weight change detected by a microbalance. A second microoxidation test has been

developed and used to emphasize the deposit forming tendencies of crankcase oils. In order to increase the amount of deposits for ease of gravimetric determination, the test was increased in

severity over the microoxidation tests used to determine the liquid products of oxidation. Deposit

161
tests using the microoxidation test with a low carbon steel catalyst were run with a 20 u£ test sample at 225 and 250 °C for extended time periods to determine the deposit formation as a function

of time. All of these tests give a characteristic behavior as shown in figure 5. The deposit

builds up slowly during the early part of the test. This induction period type of behavior is followed by a more rapid rise in deposit formation. Finally, the deposit level reaches an asymptote

in the region of 25 to 40 percent of the initial charge because all of the lubricant has been

converted into deposit or lost by evaporation from the test cup. The length of time when the

deposit formation is low and the portion of the curve approaching the asymptote would provide a relative behavior value is of interest in this study. This portion of the deposit curve is generated by a 20 u£ test of 60 minute duration at 225 °C. A test of equivalent severity at 200 °C

would take four hours, while a test time of equivalent severity at 250 °C would be 15 minutes. For convenience the 60 minute test at 225 °C was chosen.

Table 5. Oxidative stability of chromatographic fractions of base oils

Oils were separated by an HPLC process by NBS; oxidative test conditions: 40 u£, 225 °C, 30 min, on steel

Fluid Fraction

SATURATE

AROMATIC

POLAR

SATURATE

AROMATIC

POLAR

SATURATE

AROMATIC

POLAR

SATURATE

AROMATIC

POLAR

SATURATE

AROMATIC

POLAR

>Mol. Wt. Than Orig.

16.67

14.73

7.33

20.93

15.07

5.92

17.45

11.18

6.61

19.84

18.67

18.08

15. 14

14.71

Same Mol . Wt

as Orig. Evaporation

RE-REFINED OIL RB0042

40.74 38.43

66.78 19.18

65.79 26.88

RE-REFINED OIL RB0033

46.51 30.18

65.07 19.32

86.06 8.02

RE-REFINED OIL RB5109

20.75 59.02

56.58 17.35

73.55 13.92

VIRGIN OIL VB5167

37.65 38.15

60.84 19.82

61.26 17.21

VIRGIN BASE OIL VB5078

47.57 37.29

67.65 17.64

Deposit

4.16

0.31

0.89

2.38

0.54

1.25

2.78

4.89

0.92

4.36

0.773

3.45

2.51

0.77

Insufficient sample for check runs

162
The only analytical tool required for the deposit test is a mi crobal ance. For the conventional

microoxidation test gel permeation chromatography is the key analytical device. For complete

analysis there are a number of techniques required in addition to careful control of the sample

dilution. The analytical procedure used for base oils and formulated crankcase oils is shown in figure 1 and has been described in the section on procedure.

For the data shown on figure 1, it has been assumed that molecular size is the only separational

characteristic in the gel permeation chromatography. However, some recent work shows that there is an adsorption delay for very polar materials of relatively large molecular weight range which is inappropriate for the actual molecular size. The one test method that would appear to solve this

problem of relative molecular weight is the pentane insoluble test conventionally used with bulk

oxidation tests to determine the high molecular weight viscosity builders formed during oxidation.

A modified microoxidation test was designed to incorporate a pentane insoluble determination.

The same philosophy was used in the evaluation of this test method as that used when it was desired

to evaluate the oxidized material in the same molecular weight as the original charge to the

microoxidation test. This technique comprises the separation of the 40 micro liter oxidized sample

into two aliquot parts of 20 micro liters each. The one aliquot is analyzed directly in gel

permeation chromatography to show the chromatogram indicative of the oxidized materials. The second

aliquot is treated to remove the pentane insolubles. After the removal of the pentane insolubles

this material is then analyzed by gel permeation chromatography and the difference between the two chromatograms is measured. The difference in the area between the two chromatograms is taken to represent the pentane insolubles. In the case of a base oil the pentane insolubles can be removed

by simply using pentane as the solvent. In the case of a formulated oil the presence of detergents

and dispersants makes the pentane precepi tati on virtually impossible on a quantitative basis. In this case, it is necessary to add a coagulant to overcome the effect of the detergent and

dispersant. The same coagulant specified in the ASTM test technique was used. The major problem

was in the determination of a logical quantity of coagulant to be used in the pentane precipitation

of 20 micro liters of test oil. When the concentration specified in the ASTM procedure was used in all of the pentane involved in the pentane precipitation of the 20 micro liters a minor problem

developed. The coagulant shows up in the gel permeation chromatographic curve somewhere near the

peak of the original base oil and close to the low molecular weight end of the pentane insolubles.

Since the difference in the two chromatograms was measured directly, this caused some concern about

the precision of the pentane insoluble measurement. A procedure has been developed using the

pentane with coagulant at a concentration level that appears to measure all of the pentane

insolubles without confusing the area due to the coagulant in the analysis. The two different

coagulant concentrations are illustrated in figures 6 and 7. The lower coagulant concentration

level has been used for the analytical tests presented in the following correlations.

30

TIKE, MINUTES

Figure 5. Typical curve for deposit formation as a function of time for a fully formulated automotive crankcase oil. Microoxidation test conditions:

20 u£, 225 °C, Fe catalyst.

A series of ASTM 3C and 3D reference oils were obtained from the National Bureau of Standards

for use in developing an engine sequence-microoxidation test correlation. The reference oils are rated by the hours to failure in the 3C or 3D sequence engine tests. The behavior of the reference

163
oils in the microoxidation test at 200 and 225 °C are shown on tables 6 and 7. The percent of

oxidized product with a higher molecular weight than the original oil was used to judge the relative

viscosity increase of the lubricant. The two sets of test conditions were chosen to be about equal

in severity based on the Arrhenius type relationship of reaction rate and temperature. The trends

noted in high molecular weight oxidation product show some correlation with engine test performance.

The measurement of high molecular weight products formed on oxidation was further refined by the use

of the pentane insoluble evaluation of the microoxidation product. These values are shown on Table

8. The use of pentane insoluble oxidation products as a measure of oil degradation shows a much

better agreement with performance in the engine tests. The two oils that appear to be better in the

pentane insolubles from the microoxidation test than in engine performance are NBS 5017 (16 hour 3C)

and NBS 7044 (24 hour 3D).

All mineral oil oxidations conducted thus far show the same general trend for the oxidized

products. The reaction to form the primary oxidation product is the slowest reaction. Subsequent

reactions of the primary oxidation product to form condensation polymers are much more rapid. The rate of reaction and final molecular weight of these products vary over a moderate range due to additive package. In some cases a smaller amount of high molecular weight product will produce

sludge and varnish rather than high molecular weight liquid products. Deposit tests have been

conducted on the reference lubricants as shown on table 8. The two lubricants that show lower than

anticipated high molecular weight oxidation products show excessive amounts of deposit formation.

Deposits above were considered for comparison with 3C and 3D engine tests. On this basis,

correlation looks good with a few exceptions. The principal lack of correlation is in the case of

NBS 7048 (16 hours in 3D) where deposit tests look very good. Deposits for NBS 5019 and NBS 7045

also appear to be slightly higher than anticipated for the engine performance. These two oils show

an unusual trend in the microoxidation test. Both oils have a substantial quantity of a polymeric

VI improver which appears to decrease in molecular weight in the microoxidation tests. This

behavior could make the overall fluid look better than anticipated from the oxidation products of

the base oi 1

Table 6. Comparison of 3C reference oils in the microoxidation test

Data based on GPC curves for the original and oxidized sample

40 jj£ samples were used with a low carbon steel catalyst

Conditions

Oxidized Prod. Oxidized and Test Fluid >Mol . Wt. than Unreacted Mat. Evaporation

NBS No.(Hrs.) Original at Orig. Mol . Wt. Loss

200 °C, 2 Hrs. 5021 (16)

5017 (16)

5016 (32)

5014 (40)

5019 (64)

21.8

10.8

16.5

2.9

7.6

51.2

43.4

48.8

71.7

51.5

27.0

45.9

34.7

25.4

40.8

225 °C, 30 Min. 5021 (16)

5017 (16)

5016 (32)

5014 (40)

5019 (64)

22.5

13.3

11.2

3.7

13.8

52.3

58.2

52.6

70.6

58.3

25.2

28.5

36.2

25.7

27.9

164
Table 7. Comparison of 3D reference oils in the microoxidation test

Data based on GPC curves for the original and oxidized sample

40 u£ samples were used with a low carbon steel catalyst

Oxidized Prod. Oxidized and Test Fluid >Mol.Wt.than Unreacted Material Evaporation

Conditions NBS No. (Hrs.) Original At Original Mol . Wt. Loss

200 °C, 2 Hrs.

225 °C, 30 Min.

~7C\A Q (.lb; 7/ A "7 O 4 c

~7C\A A ( OA \ (y4; A C0 Do b

n

y

7046 (40) 13 6 55 1 31 3

7047 (56) 11 1 59 1 29. 8

7045 (64) 6. 3 65 0 28. 7

7048 (16) 10 1 73 7 16. 2

7044 (24) 8 0 63 9 28. 1

7046 (40) 15. 9 53 1 31. 0

7047 (56) 11. 3 64 6 24. 1

7045 (64) 8 4 63 7 27. 9

6. Conclusions

A combination of pentane insolubles data (column A in table 8) with the deposit test results

(column B in table 8) yields a measure of "total solids" (A + B) generated, which appears to provide

good agreement with the 3C and 3D engine test ratings for the ASTM reference oils evaluated. This

combination of tests can be conducted in simple equipment in tests of short duration to provide

chemical information, as well as measured values which provide some correlation to the results form

3C and 3D engine sequence tests.

1 Oxidized 3D Oil

Ox. 30 + Pentane Treat. / / /'

//

//

1— i 1 1 I0

5 104 103 400

MOLECULAR WEIGHT

1 200

Figure 6. Modified pentane insoluble procedure for the microoxidation test,

high coagulant concentration. Microoxidation test conditions: 225 °C,

40 minutes, steel catalyst, 40 u£ pentane insoluble procedure: mod.

ASTM method, 4 u£ of 5 % coagulant in pentane.

165
Such a combination test evaluation would appear to provide a useful quality control test fo

monitoring formulated engine oils. For research and development, this combination provides a powerful screening tool for formulation studies involving base oils and additives for high

performance crankcase oils.

Table 8. Deposit and pentane insolubles formation

for several 3C and 3D reference oils

All tests were carried out on a low carbon steel catalyst at 225 °C

Microoxidation tests for pentane insolubles were

30 minutes and those for deposits were 60 minutes.

Test Fluid

NBS No.

5021

5017

5016

5014

5019

7048

7044

7046

7047

7045

(16)'

(16)

(32)

(40)

(64)

(16)

(24)

(40)

(56)

(54)

B

. Deposit

Weight % Charge (40 u£) Weight % Charge (20 u£) Pentane Insolubles

ASTM-3C- REFERENCE OILS

15.8

4.8

7.4

3.0

4.4

ASTM- 3D- REFERENCE OILS

14.3

3.9

8.0

2.2

2.7

15.6

17.4

9.7

7.7

8.3,

3.9

17.1

10.9

5.5

9.1

A&B

Total

Sol ids

31.4

22.2

17.1

10.7

12.7

18.2

21.0

18.9

7.7

11.8

Values in parentheses are the hours to failure in the 3C and 3D engine tests.

b ~ 3 Based on a deposit density of 0.875 gem

MOLECULAR HEIGHT

Figure 7. Modified pentane insoluble procedure for the microoxidation test (low-coagulant concentration). Microoxidation test conditions: 225 °C,

40 minutes, steel catalyst, 40 u£ pentane insoluble procedure: mod. ASTM

method, 4 u£ of 0.25% coagulant in pentane.

166
The Penn State microoxidation test also provides an effective method for the evaluation of base

oils. The method can be used to establish additive response directly or by means of the relative

behavior of the base oil on steel and copper catalyst test cups. This same general technique can also be used on fractions of base oil separated to illustrate various component types such as saturated hydrocarbons, aromatics and polar components.

This work was supported by Grant No. NB80NADA1037 from the National Bureau of Standards. The

authors also wish to express their appreciation to Dr. S. M. P. Hsu at the NBS for his cooperation

in supplying samples and background information for some of the work reported here.

7. References

[1] Cvitkovic, E. ; Klaus, E. E; Lockwood, F. A thin film test for measurement of the

oxidation and evaporation of ester- type lubricants ASLE Trans. 22 395; 1979.

[2] Lockwood, F. ; Klaus, E. E. Ester oxidation-the effect of an iron surface ASLE Trans. 25(2):

236-44; 1982.

[3] Lahijani, J.; Lockwood, F. E. ; Klaus, E. E. The influence of metals on sludge formation ASLE

Trans. 25 (1): 25-32; 1982.

[4] Stewart, R. M. ; Selby, T. W. The relationship between oil viscosity and engine performance—

a

literature search ASTM STP 621: 1-19; SAE Warrendale, PA; 1977.

167

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedinas, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

EVALUATION OF A MODIFIED TIMKEN TEST FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF MOTOR OILS

L. K. Ives, P. A. Boyer, and A. W. Ruff

Metallurgy Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

A modified version of the Timken 1 method, ASTM D2782, for the determination of

the load carrying capacity of lubricating fluids is described and evaluated. The

modified method differs from the standard method primarily in that a very small

volume of oil (0.2 ml) is used. The evaluation procedure consisted of applying the

modified Timken method to a series of HID engine sequence test reference oils having

known performance characteristics. Good correlation was obtained between the

modified Timken test results and documented HID engine sequence test cam plus lifter wear values. A similar correspondence was also found for VD engine sequence test reference oils. Good correlation with service data was obtained when the modified

Timken method was applied to Royal Canadian Mounted Police Field Trial Oils. Results

are also presented on the application of the method to commercial SF motor oils and

to the determination of additive response of re-refined base oils.

1. Introduction

Effective control of cam and follower wear is recognized as one of the critical functions of a motor oil. The recently established HID and VD engine sequence tests cite specific limits on wear

for one or both of these components. These limits must not be exceeded if the oil is to meet performance requirements for American Petroleum Institute (API) Service Classification SF. Because

of the considerable expense involved and the time consuming nature of engine sequence tests, the

development of simple laboratory tests to assist in the motor oil formulation process and for

batch-to-batch quality control purposes is highly desirable. Unfortunately, the detailed physical

and chemical characteristics of a formulated motor oil that are responsible for control of wear are

not well known. Nor has the nature of the wear process been fully described when a lubricant fails

to provide adequate wear protection. Thus, there is limited guidance for the design of a suitable

laboratory test to measure the wear properties of motor oils. On the basis of the known conditions

of load, temperature and sliding speed it is, however, generally expected that the contact

conditions at the cam and follower will intermittently fall in the boundary lubrication regime. One measure of a lubricant's performance under boundary conditions is given by its load carrying

capacity. When a lubricant's load carrying capacity is exceeded, a condition of severe wear

(variously referred to as scoring, seizure, scuffing or galling) may occur. A number of bench tests

have been used to measure the load carrying capacity of lubricating oils. Among these are three

ASTM methods [l] 2

, D3233 (pin and V-block), D2783 (four-ball), and D2782 (Timken method). This

investigation is concerned with an evaluation of a modified version of the last mentioned method,

the Timken method. The modified Timken method has been reported [2] to predict with surprisingly

good accuracy the performance of a motor oil in the IIIC engine sequence test.

The evaluation procedure consisted of applying the modified Timken method to a series of six

available HID engine sequence test reference oils. 3 The load carrying capacity obtained for each

oil was then compared to the documented cam plus lifter wear values which had been determined in HID engine sequence tests [3]. To establish further the validity of the test method, the

identification of commercial products and names is made in this report solely for the purpose of

adequately describing the tests involved.

2 Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

3 Provided by ASTM Test Monitoring Center (TMC), Pittsburgh, PA.

169
evaluation procedure was extended to include three VD reference oils 4

, two RCMP (Royal Canadian

Mounted Police) field trial oils [4] and three commercial SF motor oils. As an application, the

modified Timken test was employed to examine the additive response of three re-refined base oils.

Results of these evaluative tests and measurements will be presented together with a detailed

outline of the test procedure. Some preliminary results on the evaluation of this test method have

been presented previously [5]. It should be noted that Gates and Hsu [6] have developed a similar

test method utilizing the four-ball test machine.

2. Modified Method Compared to Standard Timken Method

The essential conditions and parameters for ASTM

Properties of Lubricating Fluids (Timken Method)," are quantities for the modified test. The standard Timken

carburized and hardened steel which is forced against

configuration illustrated in figure la. The object of

that the lubricant can sustain without failure during

to mean a condition of severe wear which is described

is referred to as the OK load or more generally as the

according to this test.

D2782, "Measurement of Extreme-Pressure

compared in table 1 with the corresponding

method employs a rectangular block of

a rotating ring of a similar steel in the

the test is to determine the maximum load

the 10 min test period. Failure is understood

as seizure or scoring. The maximum pass load

load carrying capacity of the lubricant

Table 1. Comparison of standard timken method and modified method

ASTM D2782 Modified Test

Quantity of Oil

Oil Temperature

Break-In

Load Increments'

Test Duration

Speed

Ri ng

Block

Continuous Flow

(^0.1 to 2.3 1/min)

37.8° + 2.8 °C

30 s @ 6.7 N

45 N (> 135 N)

27 N (< 135 N)

10 min.

800 rpm

Carburized AISI 8720

Carburized AISI 4320

Wet with Oil

(0.2 ml)

Room Temp.

(same)

4.5 N

5 min.

(same)

(same)

(same)

Load applied to lever arm. Load applied to specimen is a factor of 10 larger.

The minimum load at which failure is observed is also recorded and the contact pressure may be

calculated if desired. The contact pressure is determined by the width of the wear scar produced in

the test at the maximum pass load. Load values are reported in units of weight applied to the lever

arm. The actual load applied to the block is ten times the reported value plus an additional

increment of approximately 67 N

5 which is due to the weight of the lever arm and pan assembly. In this investigation only the total load applied to the block will be reported unless otherwise noted.

4 Provided by ASTM Test Monitoring Center (TMC), Pittsburgh, Pa.

5 A11 force (load) values are expressed in Newtons (N) where 1 N = 0.225 lb.

170
Figure 1. Schematic drawing of specimen and load application assembly of

a) Timken machine and b) Falex #1, ring and block machine.

The most important difference between the standard Timken method and the modified test concerns

the quantity of oil employed to lubricate the block and ring specimens during the test. As indicated in table 1, the standard method requires a continuous flow of oil from a ~ 3 liter

reservoir that is maintained at a temperature of 37.8 + 2.8 °C. In the modified test the specimen contact surfaces are only "wet" with 0.2 ml of oil at the beginning of the test. No additional oil

is supplied. The reasons for employing a volume of 0.2 ml will be considered in later discussion.

Other differences noted in table 1 concern the duration of the test and the load increment

employed. Test duration in the modified test was fixed at 5 min compared to 10 min for the standard

method. The effect of varying the test duration was not investigated in detail, however, available

results, as might be expected, indicated that a shorter duration would within limits lead to an increased load carrying capacity. At loads far in excess of the load carrying capacity determined

at 5 min, failure occurred on application of the load so that test time would not be a factor under

these circumstances. Selection of a longer duration was found to reduce the determined load

carrying capacity.

Choice of load increment depends both on the sensitivity of the test and the required

discrimination among oils. It was found in several cases that increasing the load by 45 N led from

a condition of consistent passes to consistent failures; that is, the minimum failure load was 45 N higher than the maximum pass load. This, however, was not always true as is indicated by the

results which are presented in the following section. For this study, 45 N was chosen as the load

increment.

171
The test machine prescribed for conducting ASTM D2782 is the so-called Timken machine. The

Timken machine was not employed in the present investigation. Instead, a friction and wear testing

machine manufactured by the Favi 1 le-LeVally Corporation, the Falex #1, machine was used. The

designs of the Timken and the Falex #1 machines are shown schematically in figure 1. Both machines

employ the same block and ring test specimens but differ with respect to the mechanism by which the

load is applied to the block. For the case of the Timken machine the block is positioned below the

ring while for the Falex #1 machine it is located above. This may affect the manner in which oil is accumulated in the contact region, potentially resulting in a difference in performance between the two machines. Also, the Falex #1 machine is equipped with a strain gage type load cell to indicate

friction force, an important feature with respect to the present investigation since friction

response was used to determine failure. A similar load cell could, however, be adapted to the

Timken machine without apparent difficulty.

3. Test Procedure

A brief outline of the modified Timken test procedure is presented below. Some further details

can be found in ASTM D2782 and the operators manual for the test machine that is employed.

o Clean Specimens Ul trasonically agitate in hexane for 5 min (repeat 3 times) and then

ul trasonical ly agitate in acetone for 5 min. Heat specimens to 60 °C in the test oil and

follow with a rinse in hexane. The latter step was adopted because it was found to reduce

data scatter.

o Prepare test machine Flush all components and parts with hexane to remove residual oil

from previous tests which might come into contact with the test specimens.

o Mount Specimens and apply oil Oil (0.2 ml) is applied to the slowly rotating ring with

an appropriate syringe and hypodermic needle.

o Break- i

Increase ring rotational speed to 800 rpm and apply run-in load of

67 N for 30 s.

o Run Test Apply test load and terminate test after 5 min or sooner if failure occurs.

Tests described in this investigation were carried out in air at room temperature (22° ± 2 °C) at the ambient relative humidity which was in the range from 45 percent to 65 percent.

4. Some Consequences of the Modified Method

A list and brief discussion of several of the most significant consequences either

resulting from or anticipated to result from the test modification are given below.

o Debris is not effectively flushed from the contact region;

o increased contact temperature;

o oil degradation effects enhanced;

o only small amount of oil required for evaluation;

o cleanup between tests is simplified; and

o specimen contamination more critical.

During run-in a significant quantity of wear debris is generated. This debris rapidly flushed

away in the standard Timken method to be caught by the filter screen, by the optional magnetic trap

when one is used, or simply may not find its way back to the contact region because it is not in the

fraction of circulating oil that actually passes through the contact. In the modified test, debris

is not flushed away but may continue to pass through the contact region.

172
The flow of oil at 37.8 ± 2.8 °C that affords specimen cooling in the standard method is not present in the modified test. Thus the contact temperature may rise to considerably higher values

enhancing oil degradation and oxidation as well as its reaction with the steel specimen surfaces.

As a result, boundary film lubrication properties may be affected. In addition, oil that has been

degraded is not replaced and important anti-oxident or other components may become depleted during

the test.

A practical consequence of the modified procedure concerns the need for only a small quantity

of oil. A few milliliters of oil are sufficient for evaluation, although as was mentioned earlier,

a larger quantity is desirable for specimen preparation purposes.

Clean up between tests with different oils is greatly simplified. With the standard method it

is necessary to remove previous test oil from the reservoir, pump and other parts of the oil

circulating system. In the modified test, only the components associated with the specimen mounting

mechanism need to be cleaned. On the other hand, considerably greater care must be exercised in cleaning the specimens themselves. Contaminants on improperly or ineffectively cleaned specimens

are not flushed away and diluted in a large volume of oil as is the case with the standard method.

5. Results

5.1. Friction Behavior and Determination of Failure

A typical friction force record from a modified Timken test is shown in figure 2. Following

the initial 30 s break-in period at 67 N, a large spike is observed corresponding to the application

of the principal test load, 720 N in this example. Subsequently, the friction force remains

relatively constant, rising slightly to a value which corresponds to a friction coefficient of

MD.12. A friction coefficient of this magnitude is characteristic of a condition of boundary

lubrication. Near the end of the test a marked drop in friction is observed followed by a sharp

rise which indicates failure.

Despite reference to the initial 30 s period at 67 N as a break-in period, examination of block

wear scars indicated that a major portion of the break- in process occurred during application of the

principle test load. At 67 N after 30 s the block wear scar was a slightly polished band with most

of the original grinding marks still present. This might be expected considering the small size of

the break-in load. Thus the large spike in friction force which occurs on application of the

principle test load is associated with break-in. The reason for the drop in friction force which

precedes failure in the example shown is not understood. It was only observed for "well" formulated

oils. In the example shown in figure 2, the oil used (76A-1) was a reference oil that passed the

HID engine sequence test for SF classification.

During the course of this investigation it was found that the friction force trace gave a sensitive and accurate indication of failure. Even in several cases where visual examination of the

block wear scar with the unaided eye the method specified in ASTM D2782 did not provide

evidence of failure, confirmation of the failure that was indicated by the friction force trace was obtained by more critical examination of the surface by optical or scanning electron microscopy.

Thus, the friction force trace was adopted as the means of determining failure in this

investigation.

Friction force traces could, in general, be categorized as belonging to one of four different

types. These are shown in figure 3. Type A has already been discussed and, as mentioned, was observed only for well formulated oils, although the other types of curves (B, C and D) were also

observed for these oils. Base oils and oils that had received only minimal formulation often

exhibited a type B curve but C and D were also obtained. The type D curve is associated with

failure on initial application of the principal test load. This type of failure could usually be

produced by application of a load considerably higher than the load carrying capacity of the

lubricant; however, it was not limited to that condition.

5.2. Effect of Oil Volume

Figure 4 shows the effect on load carrying capacity of employing three different volumes of

oil, 0.20, 0.035, and 0.025 ml. The oil in this example, 76A-1, as previously indicated is a HID

engine sequence test reference oil meeting HID requirements for SF classification. In figure 4, pass and fail tests for each oil volume are enumerated at the indicated loads. For 0.2 ml., five

173
consecutive failures were obtained at 675 N and five consecutive passes occurred at 630 N. Thus a load carrying capacity of 630 N is indicated. When the volume of oil applied to the test specimen

was reduced to 0.035 ml, failures predominated until the load was reduced to 450 N. Similarly, a further reduction in oil volume to 0.025 ml resulted in an additional decrease in load carrying

capacity to about 180 N, a value that was characteristic of base oils. A volume of 0.025 ml of oil

still represents a significant quantity of oil in terms of film thickness. For a ring surface area

of ~20 cm2

, the nominal film thickness is 13 urn. This can be compared with the original surface

roughness of 0.5-0.8 um R for the blocks and rings. It may be hypothesized that the reduction in load carrying capacity with test oil volume was associated with a decrease in the quantity of

additives needed for effective boundary lubrication rather than too little oil to cover the surface

It should also be noted that when an oil volume much in excess of 0.20 ml was employed there was a tendency for droplets to be lost from the system.

20»

Figure 2. Typical friction force trace from modified Timken test. Thirty

second break-in at 67 N and test at principal load of 720 N are shown.

Large initial spike corresponds to application of principal load. Test

was terminated when friction force was observed to rise sharply. Test

oil was a HID engine sequence test reference oil, 76A-1.

5.3. Results on HID Reference Oils

Results obtained on six HID reference oils are shown in figure 5. For each oil an initial test was carried out at a load of 450 N, additional tests were conducted at 90 N intervals above or below 450 N, depending on whether the initial test was a pass or failure, until the approximate

pass-fail range was located. (The initial results outside the pass-fail range are not shown in fig

5.) Tests were then carried out at 45 N load increments until five consecutive failures and five

174
consecutive passes were obtained to bound the pass-fail region. This procedure which requires a large number of tests (a minimum of 10 tests per oil) was adopted in order to obtain information on the statistical characteristics of the modified Timken method. The maximum load at which five

consecutive passes were obtained is then referred to as the maximum pass load, i.e., the load

carrying capacity of the oil according to this test method. Similarly, the minimum load at which

five consecutive failures were obtained is referred to as the minimum failure load. Clearly, using

these definitions, if a larger number of tests had been used at each load increment, a smaller

maximum pass load and larger minimum failure load might have been assigned. The opposite affect

might have occurred if fewer tests had been carried out at each increment. Utilizing five tests per

load increment, it can be seen in figure 5 that for two oils, 76A-1 and 77B-1, the spread betv/een

the maximum pass load and minimum failure load is one load increment, i.e., 45 N. For three of the

six oils the spread is 135 N and for the remaining oil it is 90 N.

Time —

Figure 3. Characteristic types cf friction force failure traces.

The test results presented in figure 5 are summarized in figure 6. The maximum pass load, the

mixed pass-fail region and the minimum fail load are indicated for each oil. In addition, cam plus

lifter wear results obtained in HID sequence tests are shown [3]. According to load carrying

capacity, the oils fall into two distinct groups. Oils 76A-1, 75B-1 and 79A are similar and have

maximum pass loads equal to or above 585 N. Oils 72A, 77B-1, and 77C are similar to each other but

have minimum fail loads equal to or less than 405 N, with considerably lower maximum pass loads.

Dashed lines indicate the 585 N and 405 N load levels in figure 6. The oils are grouped in an identical way according to cam plus lifter wear data. Oils 76A-1, 75B-1 , and 79A exhibit

approximately the same wear performance with average wear values well below the 102 urn limit

required to pass the HID test for SE and SF service. Likewise, 72A, 77B-1 and 77C gave wear values

exceeding the acceptable limit by a wide margin.

175
Effect of Oil Volume on Load Carrying Capacity

1 p I F

ass

ail

"

Tes

rest

t

r

F

c

1E

1

1

1

r

i ri Hh1

3

cnOui<30l6(3lOUi0 0, 0'', 00, Oul

APPLIED LOAD (N)

Figure 4. Influence of oil volume on load carrying capacity. Test oil was HID

engine sequence test reference oil 76A-1. This oil meets HID requirements

for SF classification.

RESULTS ON HID REFERENCE OILS

% R079A

.

cnooiO u, OwOO, o^o

APPLIED LOAD (N)

Figure 5. Modified Timken test results on six HID engine sequence test oils.

] indicates pass test and

^

denotes a failure. For each oil, five

consecutive passes determines the maximum pass load and five consecutive

failures indicates the minimum failure load.

176
500

450

400

350

300 £

250

~o

200 5

15 1

100

50

0 T "T « < T o

<I CO d pj CO f~ (D if) r- n- r^- r>-

HID, Reference Oils

Figure 6. Load carrying capacity results on six HID engine sequence test reference oils are shown. The hatched region corresponds to the load

range where both pass and failure tests were obtained. At higher loads

only failures were obtained while at lower loads in the shaded region

only passes occurred. Cam plus lifter wear results from HID engine

sequence tests are plotted.

5.4. RCMP and Commercial SF Oils

Two additional oils for which HID engine sequence test data were available were

examined. These are the RCMP oils which were subject to extensive field and laboratory

evaluation. Detailed results of that study are presented elsewhere in these Proceedings

[4]. One RCMP oil was a virgin base oil product while the other was a re- refined base oil. Both

oils were formulated with the same additive package at the same concentration to meet requirements

for the SE classification. Field tests in RCMP patrol cars indicated that the performance of the

oils was essentially similar in that type of service. Some differences were noted, however, in laboratory evaluations [4]. Load carrying capacity results obtained with the modified Timken test

are shown in figure 7. Both oils have maximum pass loads somewhat below that obtained for the "low

wear" HID reference oils shown in figure 6. Of the two RCMP oils the re-refined oil is lowest at 495 N. Correspondingly, the cam plus lifter wear for this oil determined in the HID engine

sequence test [4] is high with a value of 112 urn, which is slightly above the required SE limit of

102 urn. Because the cam plus lifter wear produced by this oil is so close to the limit, its load

carrying capacity at 495 N may provide a good estimate of the threshold load carrying capacity that

should be attained by an oil that is formulated to pass the HID sequence test cam plus lifter wear

requirements for SE and/or SF qualification. The load level at 495 N is indicated by a dashed line

in figure 7. It may be noted that 495 N is midway between the limits of 585 N and 405 N shown in

figure 6.

900

855

810 765 720

675 5 630 -

' 585 o 540

°, 495 450

13 405

Q. 360 < 315 270

225

180

135 9045

n

^1

177
Test results for three additional oils are shown in figure 7. These oils were purchased from

retail suppliers. Each was labeled as being an SAE 10W-40 oil which exceeded or met SF requirements. A and B were major brand name motor oils while C carried the name of a local retail

trade establishment. As indicated in figure 7 all three oils exhibit load carrying capacities above

the threshold load carrying capacity level of 495 N just discussed.

• Ave Com* Lifter Weor , HID

X Ave. Cam Wear, 2!D 900

855

810 765 720

675 5 630 — 585 § 540-

_3 495 o

450 '

J! 405 S 360 < 315

270 225 • 180

135 90

45 -

o>-

r

n

200

1 50

E

100 o

50 1

RCMP Commerical SF

Figure 7. Load carrying capacity results on RCMP field trial and commercial SF motor

oils. In the hatched range both passes and failures were obtained. At high loads

only failures were obtained and at lower loads in the shaded region only passes

occurred.

5.5. VD Reference Oils

While the HID sequence test is performed under conditions of continuous high load and high

temperature, the VD test stresses cyclical operation at low to moderate temperatures. In order to successfully pass the VD sequence test for the SF classification, among other requirements, the

average cam wear must not exceed 25 urn. Follower wear is not specified. Results on three VD reference oils are shown in figure 8. Good correlation is indicated between load carrying capacity

determined by the modified Timken test and VD cam wear results [7]. Average cam wear values for

oils 913 and 916 are both approximately 14 um, well below the 25 urn limit. The load carrying

capacity for these oils falls in the same range as the low wear HID oils. The average cam wear for

oil 915 is more than double the limit and the load carrying capacity is correspondingly quite low.

VD cam wear values were also documented for the two RCMP oils. These data are plotted in

figure 7. In both cases the wear value is below the 25 um limit; however, in contrast to the HID

wear results, the virgin base oil performs somewhat more poorly than the re-refined base oil (also

contrary to the load carrying capacity behavior).

178
5.6. Additive Response of Base Oils

As an application, the modified Timken method was employed to examine the additive response of

three re-refined base oils. The re-refined base oils were selected arbitrarily. Each was furnished

by a different re-refiner and was generated from used oil collected by the individual re-refiner.

The same additive package was used to treat each oil. A suitable treatment level according to the

supplier of the additive package was 8 wt%. Each of the re-refined base oils was tested at three

additive concentrations, 4, 6, and 8 wt%. The results are shown in figure 9. With respect to the

load carrying capacity of 495 N which we have determined is the minimum value for an oil to meet the

HID engine sequence test cam plus lifter wear limit for SE and SF qualification, 6 wt% appears to

be an adequate concentration in each case. At a concentration of 8 wt%, the re-refined oils yield

load carrying capacities that are comparable with those obtained for the low wear HID reference

oils shown in figure 6 and the premium motor oils, A and B, shown in figure 7. On the other hand, a concentration of 4 wt% was not adequate to provide a load carrying capacity of 495 N for any of the

re-refined base oils.

6. Discussion

The load carrying capacity results on HID engine sequence test reference oils obtained with

the modified Timken method exhibit a consistent correlation with reported cam plus lifter wear

results. The inverse relationship between load carrying capacity and cam plus lifter wear is as would be expected. That is, high load carrying capacity corresponds to low wear and low load

carrying capacity is consistent with high wear. Results on the well characterized RCMP oils, on commercial SF motor oils and on VD reference oils also show equally good correlation. It may

therefore be concluded that the modified Timken method is a potentially useful laboratory test for

predicting the cam and follower wear behavior of motor oils.

It may be anticipated that the modified Timken method could be used to select an appropriate

additive package and to determine the concentration of the package that is necessary to achieve cam

and follower wear values below the limits specified in the HID and VD engine sequence test for SE and SF qualification. The test might also be used for quality control purposes to monitor the

consistency of different batches of formulated motor oils. This application could be of

considerable importance under circumstances where refinery feed stock and product is subject to variations which might influence additive response.

The extent to which the modified Timken test may actually be used for the applications

suggested above will depend on individual requirements for test sensitivity, precision and accuracy. With respect to precision and accuracy it may be noted that in some of the examples presented there

is a relatively sharp demarcation between the maximum pass and minimum failure loads while in other

cases there is a large separation. It is thought that this is at least in part due to intrinsic

characteristics of the oils themselves. However some of the variation is undoubtedly caused by

differences in test conditions. For example, differences in humidity, temperature, rotational

speed, specimen alignment, and specimen cleanliness may be considered. Perhaps the most serious source of uncertainty rests with the block and ring test specimens. Differences in metallurgy and

surface finish can have a pronounced effect on test behavior [5]. To minimize these effects, which

can contribute to both systematic and random errors, specimens from a single production run must be

employed and random selection procedures used.

It should also be emphasized that load carrying capacity is not a property of the oil but is a quantity determined under the conditions of a given test method. Thus not only would different test procedures lead to a different load carrying capacity value but using a Timken machine, for example,

rather than the Falex #1 machine employed here could Pesult in different values. Therefore, it is important that a calibration procedure be carried out using an appropriate set of reference oils,

perhaps the engine sequence test reference oils, following the procedure of this investigation.

A measure of the test sensitivity is indicated by the additive response experiments on three

re-refined base oils. A relatively wide separation was obtained between load carrying capacities

determined at concentrations of 4, 6, and 8 wt% additive package. Interpolation of the results

shown in figure 9 suggests that discrimination at a 1 wt% additive concentration interval can be

achieved. Discrimination will, of course, depend not only on careful control of test conditions but

also on the additive response characteristics of the given base oil and the additive itself.

179
900 r 855

810

765 - 720 - 675 - 630 - 2 585 - " 540 - § 495-

-> 450 - 1 405 - S 360 - < 315 - 270 - 225 - 180 - 135 - 90 - 45 - o

1—

• Com Wear , 3ZD Test -

200

- 150 |_

100 |

50 Io

YD Reference Oils

Figure 8. Load carrying capacity results on VD engine sequence test reference

oils. In the hatched region both passes and failures were obtained. At higher loads only failures were obtained and at lower loads in the shaded

region only passes occurred.

Finally, it should be recognized that the correlation that has been demonstrated to exist

between load carrying capacity and cam and follower wear was empirically derived. Formulated o might be devised which exhibit a high load carrying capacity and at the same time result in excessive cam and lifter wear. The lubricant properties stressed in the modified Timken test a not necessarily those that control cam and lifter wear. The sliding conditions, environment an metallurgy of the cam and follower were not simulated in the modified Timken method. The valid

of the correlation relationship with respect to a base oil-additive system differing from those

studied here would have to be established through appropriate testing; or better, through a fundamental understanding of wear mechanisms and the lubricant properties that control boundary

lubrication behavior.

7. Conclusions

1. The modified Timken method described here is an uncomplicated test which is straight

forward to conduct in practice.

2. Load carrying capacity results on six HID engine sequence test reference oils show < correlation with cam and follower wear values for those oils. High load carrying ca|

corresponds to low cam plus lifter wear; low load carrying capacity corresponds to h cam plus lifter wear.

180
900

855

810

765

720

675 2 630

585

T3O 540

O

_l 495

TD 450

QJ 405

QQ 360 < 315 270

225

180

135 90

45

0

Figure 9. Additive response behavior of three different re-refined base

oils as determined by load carrying capacity is indicated- The same additive package was used for each oil. 495 N (dashed line) is the

load carrying capacity which, according to results in this investigation,

should be exceeded if an oil is to meet HID engine sequence test requirements for cam lifter wear.

3. HID reference oils can be used to calibrate the modified Timken method for application to oils having unknown cam plus follower wear. (The extent to which the calibration will be

applicable to base oil-additive systems differing markedly from the HID oils has not been

eval uated.

4. A correlation relationship between load carrying capacity and wear, similar to that

obtained for HID reference oils, was found to hold for three VD reference oils.

5. The modified Timken test can be employed to determine the additive response of base oils.

The authors wish to thank Donald Becker for his support and many valuable discussions. Support

of the NBS Office of Recycled Materials is gratefully acknowledged.

8. References

[1] 1980 Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Parts 24 and 25. American Society for Testing Materials,

Philadelphia; PA; 1980.

[2] Didot, F. E. Suntech Corporation private communication.

[3] ASTM HID surveillance panel reports; 1981.

181
[4] Strigner, P. L. Correlation aspects of a virgin and a re-refined engine oil containing the same additive. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-Iv; Natl. Bur. Stand.

(U.S.) Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[5] Ives; L. K. Boyer, P. Pin and V-Block and ring and block bench wear tests for engine oil

evaluation. Joint Conference on Measurements and Standards for Recylced Oil/Systems

Performance and Durability; 1979 Oct. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) 584; 1980; 245-259.

[6] Gates; R. S. Hsu; S. M. Development of an oxidation-wear coupled test for the evaluation of

lubricants; ASME/ASLE 1982 Lubrication Conference; 1982 Oct. 5-7; Washington, DC. ASLE paper

No. 82-LC-ID-2.

[7] ASTM VD surveillance panel reports, 1981.

182
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements,

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

DEVELOPMENT OF A STEP LOADING SEIZURE TEST FOR ENGINE OIL ADDITIVE RESPONSE

R. S. Gates and S. M. Hsu

Chemical Stability & Tribology Group

Inorganic Materials Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Additive response measures the effect of base oils on the performance of an additive or combination of additives. This study is concerned with measuring the

effect of basestock composition on antiwear performance of oils with an SE/CC additive

package.

A step loading seizure test procedure using a four-ball wear tester was developed

to measure the antiwear additive response of eighteen base oils. The procedures examined

were: a step loading seizure test, and a thin film step loading seizure test with six

microliters sample volume. The latter procedure combines oxidation and wear in a single

test. Both test procedures have been shown to relate to engine wear experience. The

conventional (10 ml) step loading seizure test procedure was found capable of measuring

additive response only at very low additive concentrations. The micro-sample step loading

seizure test procedure was able to measure differences in additive response among the base

oils at the normal treat rate of 8.0 percent (wt. ) additive package.

1. Introduction

Additive response is a measure of the extent of improvement in performance due to the addition

of an additive or mixture of additives to a lubricating base oils for a particular application.

This improvement in performance due to additives may be affected by such factors as additive

concentration, the presence of other additives, test severity, and the composition of the base oil

[1-3] 1. This study is concerned with the development of a wear test to measure the effect of base

oil composition on the antiwear performance of oils with an automotive engine oil additive package.

Recently, two bench wear test procedures using a four-ball wear tester were developed to simulate and evaluate the wear prevention capabilities of motor oils in engine sequence HID [4,5].

Results from these procedures were shown to correlate with engine sequence HID wear results. In addition, the bench tests are short, inexpensive, and precise. In this study, we will examine both

tests to determine if they can be used to measure the additive response on wear due to the base oil

composition differences.

1.1. Effect of Base Oil-Additive Interaction on Wear

Antiwear additives are thought to reduce metal -metal contact in highly loaded contacts through

the formation of a protective surface film. Initially, polar molecules are adsorbed onto the metal

surface. Subsequent surface chemical and mechanical interactions may then result in the formation

of a more tenacious protective film. This film can be removed through desorption, mechanical

rubbing, cavitation, or thermal excitation. As the film is removed, a new film is formed and

eventually an equilibrium is established between the film formation and film removal processes.

One of the controlling steps in the antiwear mechanism is the adsorption of the polar species

onto the metal surface. Other polar molecules in the oil solution may interfere with this process

by competing for the available surface active sites. An example of this preferential additive

adsorption is shown in table 1. Constant condition wear tests with chemical wear debris analyses were performed on a base oil blended with two different surface active additives. The base fluid

alone produces a large wear scar of 0.76 mm (test 1). Wear debris is largely composed of iron and

iron oxide particles with relatively little organic iron. When 2.25% Triscresyl phosphate (TCP)

antiwear additive is blended with the base oil (test 2) the wear scar is significantly smaller.

Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

183
Less total iron is recovered in the wear debris which still consists largely of iron and iron oxide

particles. Octadecyl bromide has a very different effect as seen in test 3. The corrosive nature

of this additive is reflected in the large wear scar and the higher proportion of organometall ic iron to inorganic iron in the wear debris. When both additives are present (test 4) a small wear

scar is produced and iron in the wear debris is largely in the inorganic forms. This demonstrates

the ability of the TCP to mask out the effects of the second surface active additive, Octadecyl

Bromide. There may be many others cases where a surface active molecule competes with and reduces

the effectiveness of other surface active molecules.

Table 1. Effect of preferential additive adsorption

Iron Recovered in

Wear Debris in ug as

Wear Scar Diameter Organic Iron Formulation mm Iron Iron Oxide

1) Base Fluid 0.76 36 54 192

2) Base Fluid + 2.15% 0.60 14 26 78

TCP (A)

3) Base Fluid + 2.25% 0.90 106 120 120

C 18Bromide (B)

4) Base Fluid + (A) + (B) 0.55 12 27 27

Lubricating base oils are composed of complex mixtures of paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics, and

heteroatomic compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen. Some of these compounds in the oil

mixture are polar and may affect antiwear additive response by competing for the surface active

sites. Evidence of the polar compounds interacting with additives and affecting antiwear additive

performance is demonstrated in figure 1. In this case the polar constituents of a base oil were

isolated using liquid chromatographic techniques. Constant condition wear tests were conducted on the purified base oil reconstituted with selected quantities of the polar fraction. When all the

polar molecules were removed from the base oil, relatively large wear scars (0.64mm) were obtained.

Addition of small amounts (0.1%) of polars reduced the wear scars to 0.56mm. Apparently, some surface active polar constituents in the base oil were able to reduce wear. When this test was repeated with base oil blended with 0.5% antiwear additive a different result was obtained. For the case where no polar molecules are present in the purified base oil, very small wear scars were

produced. When a small amount of polar fraction was added, wear scars increased significantly

suggesting antagonistic interaction between the polar molecules in the base oil and the antiwear

additive. Therefore, the antiwear additive is most effective when no polar molecules are present,

and addition of small quantities of polar molecules isolated from the base oil interfered with the

overall antiwear effectiveness of the additive.

With this model, the antiwear mechanism is strongly surface adsorption related. Therefore, the

additive response in wear could be traced to the interference of the surface active molecules in

base oils that compete for the surface active sites. Such compounds may be found in the polar

fraction of base oils in the form of organic acids, sulfur compounds, nitrogen containing aromatic

compounds, and many others. Additive response may therefore be related to the quantity and nature

of particular polar molecular structures present in a particular base oil.

Determination of molecular structures of polar species in complex mixtures such as lubricating

base oils is very difficult. An economical, well controlled laboratory test is needed for extensive

additive response testing to establish a data base. Lubricating base oils that provide different

additive response can then be studied in more detail to determine the molecular structures which

affect the performance of an additive.

The purpose of this study is to develop a wear test procedure that can be used to measure antiwear additive response among different base oils.

184
Figure 1. Effects on wear of polar fraction from a re-refined base oil.

2. Experimental

2.1. Apparatus and Equipment

Testing was carried out using a Falex No. 6 four-ball wear tester and a Roxana four-ball wear

tester. Ten ml oil step loading seizure tests were conducted using the Falex No. 6 wear tester,

while six microliter oil step loading seizure tests were run on the Roxana four-ball apparatus. In both cases, friction was monitored during the test using an electronic force transducer whose output

was displayed on a strip chart recorder.

Test specimens were 12.7 mm (0.5 in) diameter AISI E52100 steel Grade 25 EP (Extra Polish) balls.

The Rockwell C hardness of the balls was between 64 and 66.

2.2. Sample Preparation

Specimens were cleaned prior to each test in successive rinses of hexane and acetone (ACS

Grade) in an ultrasonic bath, wiped with a clean tissue, and dried with a stream of nitrogen gas. The test cup and top ball assembly was cleaned and prepared in the same manner without the use of

the ultrasonic bath.

For this study, a commercial SE detergent-inhibitor additive package was used. All mixtures of

base oil and additive package were prepared in 100 gram quantities to ensure sufficient sanfpje for

testing. To ensure homogeneity, samples were mixed with a magnetic stirrer at ~75 °C for 60 minutes. Each sample was weighed, blended, and stored in the same container to prevent contamination.

2.3. Reference Oils

Bench test procedures are screened using the ASTM sequence HID engine reference oils. The

reference oils have an extensive engine test data base and are used to qualify engine test stands

for the HID test. In turn, valve train wear results from the HID engine test have been found to correlate with valve train wear observed in field tests [6,7].

185
Based on the engine wear results, the reference oils can be ranked as high wear or low wear

oils. The same reference oils were run in the step loading seizure test using a four-ball wear

tester. The performance of the oils in the HID test was then compared with performance in the

bench tests to determine the degree of correlation.

Two test procedures were examined in detail after initial screening based on previous work

[4,5]. They are:

1) step loading seizure test (ten milliliter oil sample)

2) Thin film step loading seizure test (six microliter oil sample)

These two bench test procedures determine the antiwear characteristics of lubricants in a similar manner but under different environments.

The step loading seizure test (SLST) measures the load carrying capability of a lubricant. The test is run at constant speed (600 Rpm) with the load increased by nine kg (20 lb) every five

minutes. A typical friction trace for a step loading seizure test, given in figure 2, shows the

incremental increase in friction associated with the load increases. At some point during the test

the lubricant fails to protect the surface adequately and severe wear occurs accompanied by a large

increase in friction (point A in figure 2). The load at which this occurs is defined as the seizure

load.

Earlier studies [4,5] have shown that the SLST test correlated with engine wear data. Summary

results on the eight reference oils are shown in table 2. The data indicate that the low wear

reference oils have higher seizure loads than the high wear reference oil. Repeatability of the 10

ml step loading seizure test on the HID reference oils was approximately ±13 kg.

2.4. Test Procedures and Correlation

Fri cti on

A

I j me

Figure 2. A typical step loading seizure test friction trace.

186
Table 2. Correlation between the step loading seizure test results

and engine test data

Reference

Oils

76A-1

75B-1

81A

79A

73B-1

77B

77C

72A-1

HID Wear

Rating

Low

Low

Low

Low

High

High

High

High

10 ml SLST

Seizure Load, kg

200

209

227

218

127

168

132

132

Micro Sample SLST

Seizure Load, kg

240

210

240

188

128

128

135

120

Table 3. Crude source and processing technologies of the seventeen base oil set

Oil ID

A

B

C

0

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

0

P

Q

Viscosity Grade

200N

250N

350N

300N

400N

350N

300N

250N

350N

200N

150N

600N

50:50

150N/600N

210N

270N

210N

HON

Processing Technology

Pretreat/Vac. dist./

Clay finish

Clay treat

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Caustic Pretreat/

Vac. dist.

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Crude Source

Geographical Area

Mid-West (US)

Southwest

Southwest

West Coast

Northeast

South

Northwest

Canada

West Coast

Northeast

Mid-East

Mid-East

Canada

Mid-Continent

Mid-East

Mid-Conti nent

Mi d-Conti nent

187
The thin film step loading seizure test also distinguishes between the reference oils on the

basis of seizure load. This test however, uses only a thin film of lubricant and contains a much

larger component of oxidation than the conventional test. The thin film step loading seizure test

is run at 400 RPM with 15 kg load increases every 30 seconds under a controlled flowing atmosphere

of 0.25 L/min dry air.

The results of testing using the eight reference oils, given in table 2, show that the seizure

load of the low wear reference oils is significantly higher than the high wear reference oils.

Repeatability of the micro-sample step loading seizure test on the HID reference oils is approximately +15 kg.

3. Results and Discussion

Seven virgin (VB) and ten re-refined (RB) base oils constituted the base oil set used for

additive response testing. These oils were selected because they represent a cross section of

available processing technologies, crude sources, and viscosity grades as shown in table 3. They

have been extensively characterized and large quantities are available for testing.

3.1. Step Loading Seizure Test

Initially, ten ml step loading seizure tests were conducted on the set of base oils blended

with 8.0 percent additive package. Results from these tests are given in table 4 and figure 3. Average seizure loads are presented graphically in figure 3 in order of increasing seizure load. The shaded histograms represent re-refined oils, and the unshaded areas represent virgin oils. The

approximate repeatability of the test (±13 kg) obtained with the reference oils, is overlaid on oil

C as an aid to interpreting the degree of separation of the oils. Seizure loads for most of the

oils were high except oil G. For most oils, seizure loads exceeded the 299 kg (660 lb) seizure load

limit of the equipment. This indicates that the test procedure (speed, load, duration) is not severe enough to properly distinguish performance difference among all the base oils at 8.0 percent

additive package. There may or may not be a difference in base oil additive response using this

procedure, however, the equipment limitation does not allow for a comparison. Further testing with

an increase in test severity is desirable. Three base oils with different amounts of polar

constituents were selected and blended to study the interaction of additive level and test severity

in this test. Arbitrary virgin and re-refined base oils and a super-refined white oil were chosen

for testing. All three base oils have similar viscosities.

Results from ten ml step loading seizure tests on the three base oils at various concentrations

of additive package are shown in figure 4. The superrefined paraffin, virgin, and re-refined oils

all show responses to the additive package. At 0.5 percent additive level, there is a significant

difference among the three base oils in terms of antiwear behavior. The order of the base oils:

white oil >> virgin >> re-refined also coincides with our interference model.

Table 4. Additive response test results based on 10 ml SLST with

8.0 percent additive package

Seizure Load Base Oil kg

A >299

B 299

C 272

D >299

E >299

F >299

G 168

a

H >299

I >299

J 263

K >299

L 254

M >299

N 290

0 >299

P >299

Q >299

aBased on average of 4 replicate runs.

188
Virgin Base Oi Is

GLJC.NBKFAOPDMEHJI

8ase Oils

Figure 3. Additive response of the seventeen base oil set at 8.0 percent additive

package (10 ml SLST).

i. i.l , L

0 12 3 4

' Addi ti ve Package

Figure 4. Effect of additive package concentration on seizure load: 10 ml SLST.

189
Since there appeared to be a performance difference between the base oils at 0.5 percentage

additive package, testing was expanded to the entire set of base oils at this additive package

concentration. Results from ten ml step loading seizure tests conducted on these blends are given

in table 5. Average seizure loads, presented in order of increasing seizure load, are presented in

figure 5. All base oil-additive package blends gave relatively low seizure load values, ranging

from 91 kg(200 lbs) to 181 kg(400 lbs). After accounting for the test precision, the antiwear

characteristic differences observed due to base oil differences are significant.

Table 5. Additive response test results based on 10 ml SLST with

0.5 percent additive package

Average

Seizure Load Base Oil kg

A 91

B 118

C 100

D 91

E 91

F 100

G 181

H 91

I 91

J 181

K 145

L 122 M 95

N 181

0 136

P 172

Q 163

/

DIAEHMFCBLOKQPGJN

Base Oils

Figure 5. Additive response of the seventeen base oil set at 0.5 percent additive package.

190
From these studies, two trends may be evident. In both figure 3 and figure 5, differences in

antiwear additive response are observed. These differences are primarily due to the base oil com- positional variation. The second observation is that there is no discernable trend between

re-refined and virgin base oils. Correlation between the polar content and wear did not show any

significant cause and effect relationships. Also, the ranking of the oils appears to be test method

dependent. Further testing by other methods may elucidate this trend.

3.2. Micro Sample Step Loading Seizure Test

10 ml step loading seizure tests on 8.0 percent additive package blends indicated that the test procedure was not able to discern the base oil influence at that particular additive package

concentration. Relative test severity was increased by decreasing the additive package concentration. Another method of increasing test severity is to adjust the test conditions. A second, thin

film micro sample, step loading seizure test was developed which combines oxidation and wear in a single test and requires only six microliters of sample [5]. The test is more severe since it stresses the oil under oxidizing conditions.

Micro sample step loading seizure tests were conducted using the 8.0 percent additive package

blends. Results from these tests are given in table 6 and presented graphically in order of

increasing seizure load in figure 6. Seizure loads ranged from a low of 150 kg to a high of over

285 kg (load limit of equipment). The difference of base oil response to the same additives are again observed. Since the test has a demonstrated correlation to HID wear ranking, the results

would appear to be satisfactory for the purpose of measuring the base oil antiwear additive

response.

To cross check the test procedure with the interference model discussed previously, three base

oils with varying degree of polar content (paraffinic white oil, virgin base oil, and a re-refined

base oil) were used at various additive levels. Results are shown in figure 7. Significant base

oil additive response differences are observed at 1 percent and 8 percent additive treat. However,

the ranking of the oils does not conform to the interference model based on polar content.

If we take the maximum difference among the base oils under one set of test conditions and rank

the base oils in percentiles, we can compare the various base oil rankings for different test methods and test conditions. Table 7 shown the percentile ranking of the seventeen base oils. It

is apparent that different base oils respond to the same additive package differently under

different test procedures and test conditions. There is no universal ranking of base oils with

respect to wear.

Among the three test procedures investigated, only the micro sample thin film SLST test procedure shows engine test wear correlation, and at the same time, has shown significant base oil

effects at full additive package concentration.

In the final analysis, the results obtained in this study may be consistent with the interference model. After all, different molecular structures have different effects. In a surface

adsorption competition model, a very minor constituent may dominate the surface chemistry.

Therefore, a simple measure such as polar content without taking into account the molecular

structural parameters may not produce consistent ranking of base oils.

4. Summary

Two step loading seizure test procedures have been studied with respect to determining base oil

additive response. The following conclusions can be drawn:

1) Significant base oil additive responses to wear were observed as measured by the two step

loading seizure tests.

2) An interference model explaining the mechanisms of base oil additive response was developed and

found consistent with the results.

191
Table 6. Additive response results based on micro sample SLST with

8.0 percent additive package

Base Oil

A

6

CD

EFG

H

IJ

K

LM

N0

PQ

Average

Seizure Load

kg

240

270

233

255

225

270

190

255

>285

150

188

248

225

233

225

203

180

Based on average of at least 2 runs.

Figure 6. Additive response of the seventeen base oil set at 8.0 percent additive package.

(Micro-sample SLST).

3) Different base oils exhibited different additive responses under different conditions of

the step loading seizure tests.

4) There is no generic difference between re-refined and virgin base oils in terms of anti-wear

additive response as measured in these tests. Each oil has to be judged on its own merit.

192
-i——

r

J i L

t Additive Package

Figure 7. Micro-sample SLST concentration study effect of additive package concentration on seizure load: Micro sample SLST.

Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper in order

to adequately specify the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply recommendation

or endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards, nor does it imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

Table 7. Comparison of base oil additive response ranking in different test procedures: percentile

10 ml SLST Micro Sample SLST

8% 0.5% 8%

Base Additive Additive Additive

Oil Package Package Package

A 100 1 67

B 100 30 89

C 79 10 61

D 100 1 78

E 100 1 56

F 100 10 89

G 1 100 30

H 100 1 78

I 100 1 100

J 73 100 1

K 100 60 28

L 66 34 73

M 100 4 56

N 93 100 61

0 100 50 56

P 100 90 39

Q 100 80 22

Ranking: 1 = Lowest

100 = Highest

193
Table 8. Comparison of base oil additive response ranking in different test

procedures: Quartile

10 ml SLST Micro Sample SLST

Base

Oil

8%

Additive

Package

0.5%

Additive

Package

8%

Additive

Package

AB

C

D

EFG

H

IJ

K

LM

N

0

P

A

A

AA

AA

DA

A

BA

BA

AA

A

A

D

CD

D

D

DA

D

DA

BC

DA

BA

A

BA

BA

BA

CA

A

D

C

B

B

B

B

C Q D

Ranking: D = Lowest

A = Highest

5. References

[1] Rounds, R. G. Some factors affecting the decomposition of three commercial zinc organodithrophosphates. ASLE Transactions 18 (2): 79-80; 1973.

[2] Misra, A. K. ; Mehrotra, A. K. ; Srivastava, R. D. Antiwear characteristics of additives:

synergistic and adverse effects. Wear 31; 345-357; 1975.

[3] Willermet, P. A.; Mahone, L. R. ; Haas, C. M. The effects of antioxidant reactions on the wear

behavior of a zinc dial kyldithiophosphate. ASLE Transactions 23 (3): 225-231; 1980.

[4] Gates, R. S. ; Hsu, S. M. Development of a four-ball wear test procedure to evaluate automotive

lubricating oils. Preprint No 82-AM-6A-4. Presented at the ASL annual meeting held at Cincinnati, Ohio. 1982 May 10-13.

[5] Gates, R. S. ; Hsu, S. M. Development of an oxidation-wear coupled test for the evaluation of

lubricants. ASLE Preprint No 82-LC-D-2. Presented at the ASME/ASLE Lubrication Conference in

Washington, D.C. 1982 Oct. 5-7.

[6] Rodgers, J. J.; Kabel , R. H. A revised sequence IIIC engine oil test. SAE Paper No. 780259;

Society of Automotive Engineers; 1979.

[7] Graff, W. P., Jr.; Roberts, C. E. ; Lepisto, D. R. New lubricant test procedures for gasoline

engines from the viewpoint of an independent research laboratory. Lubr. Eng. 36 (4): 201-214;

1980.

194
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY TEST METHOD FOR OXIDATION

STABILITY OF ENGINE OILS

S. M. Hsu, A. L. Cummings, and D. B. Clark

Tribochemistry Group

Materials Chemistry Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D.C. 20234

ABSTRACT

A laboratory bench test has been developed which measures oxidation stability of

automotive crankcase lubricants under simulated engine conditions. The test employs a high-pressure, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to measure oxidation induction

times in thin-film oil samples at 175 °C in 3.6 MPa oxygen. Engine chemistry is simulated by mixing the oil sample with oil-soluble metal naphthanates and oxidized

nitrated gasoline. The DSC test ranks the relative oxidation stability of seven ASTM

engine sequence HID reference oils in the same order as the engine test does. The bench

test requires less than an hour's time to perform, uses only 1 mg of sample, with an average 6 percent repeatability. Details of method development are discussed elsewhere 1

. A copy of the paper is included as an appendix to this abstract.

Evaluation of automotive crankcase lubricants by differential scanning calorimetry.

SAE SP 526 Base Oils for Automotive Lubricants; SAE, Warrendale, PA, 1982.

195
821252

Evaluation of Automotive Crankcase Lubricants

by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

S. M. Hsu, A. L. Cummings,

and D. B. Clark

Materials Chemistry Div. National Bureau of Standards Washington, DC

ABSTRACT

A LABORATORY BENCH TEST has been developed

to examine the oxidation stability of crankcase

lubricants using a high pressure power- compensation differential scanning calorimeter

(DSC). Oxidation induction time measured at 175 °C and 3.62 MPa (525 psia) oxygen pressure

was used to rank eight ASTM sequence HID

engine test stand reference oils. The DSC result correlated with the viscosity increase tendencies of the reference oils as determined

by the engine tests. The new test method is rapid and requires only microliter sample size for testing with good precision. The method

employs a mixture of soluble metal catalysts

consisting of lead, iron, copper, manganese,

and tin (82%, 7%, 4%, 3.5%, 3.5%) together

with a synthetic oxidized high-boiling gasoline

fraction. This combination was found necessary

to simulate some of the engine conditions and

chemi stry. Laboratory tests which could assess the performance of lubricants in engines have long been sought. Such tests could be used by lubricant developers to screen lubricants and lubricant formulations, to aid development of products and processes, and to minimize the expenses for engine tests. This paper reports

the development of a differential scanning calorimeter test method to evaluate the oxida- tion stability of lubricants under the ASTM

Sequence HID engine test conditions.

•OIL DEGRADATION MECHANISMS AND ENGINE CHEMISTRY

In order to correlate laboratory bench

test results to engine test data, a test must provide oil degradation pathways similar to those that occur under service situations.

*Numbers in parentheses designate references

at end of paper. Publication of the National Bureau of

Standards. Not subject to Copyright.

The general mechanisms of oil degradation in gasoline engines have been reviewed recently

by Hsu [1]*. Briefly, the engine can be viewed

as two chemical reactors in series: the piston

ring-cylinder liner area and the oil sump. In the piston ring-liner area, a thin film of oil

is subjected to high temperatures, high shear

stress, hot combustion gases, and freshly worn

metal surfaces. It has been suggested that antioxidant additives are primarily consumed

in this area [2] and the precursors to most

engine deposits are found here [3-9]. In the second reactor, the oil sump temperatures are relatively low (climatic to 100 °C in field

tests, up to 150 °C for sequence HID engine

test). Here the oil mixes with reaction pro- ducts from the first reactor as well as with

other contaminants, such as blow-by gases,

fuel, water, and dust. Subsequent reactions

form sludge and varnish.

Fuel components and blow-by gases (encoun- tered in the first reactor) have been suggested

to be the major contributors to oil degradation

and deposit formation. Examination of the chemical composition of varnish and sludge

deposits [10,11] bears evidence of fuel components, such as fuel additives, lead salts, and

lead scavengers. Olefins and aromatics from

fuels have been identified as active components

in deposit formation [3-8]. Nitrogen oxides

(N0X

) in combustion gases are also important

reactants [3,9]. Spindt [12] operated an engine in a nitrogen-free atmosphere and ob- tained essentially clean pistons. These

studies suggest that in developing a test pro- cedure, one should consider the effect of fuel components and nitration products on oil degradation.Metals also play an important role in engine oil degradation. Used oil analysis

reveals the presence of many metals from engine wear as well as from oil and gasoline additives

[13]. Engine sludge contains significant

amounts of lead, zinc, and iron [10]. Several investigators [14-17] have reported catalysis

196
of oil degradation by metals, but the mechanism

of catalysis, i.e., whether heterogeneous or homogeneous, is not clear. The importance of metals, however, is generally recognized. Metals (such as copper and/or iron) are used

in most bench oxidation tests.

To simulate engine chemistry, we combined

a "synthetic fuel catalyst" and a "soluble

metal catalyst" mixture with formulated oil [18.] The synthetic fuel catalyst contains

many of the reactants identified in engine

blow-by: fuel hydrocarbons (especially olefins

and aromatics), oxidized fuel, nitrated fuel, and fuel additives. A modified procedure based

on safety considerations for preparing the

fuel catalyst, largely based on the work of Verly [19] and Forbes [20], is described in detail in the experimental section of this

paper. Gasoline is oxidized in the presence

of nitrogen dioxide, then neutralized with

sodium bicarbonate.

The soluble metal catalyst consists of

lead, copper, iron, manganese, and stannous naphthanates (82%, 7%, 4%, 3.5%, 3.5%, respectively). The particular metal combination and concentration was based on averaged results of used oil analysis [21].

DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

has been used to study oxidation inhibitors, effect of oil composition on stability, and

oil oxidation kinetics [22-26]. A thin film

of oil is placed on a metal pan and heated. Either the oxidation onset temperature

(temperature-scanning mode) or the oxidation

induction time (isothermal mode) can be measured. The DSC detects heat generated or consumed by thermal events (reactions, phase

transition, etc.) occurring in a sample. If several events occur simultaneously (some might

be exothermic, some endothermic) , the net sum

of the heats is measured. Oxidation of hydrocarbon mixtures such as lubricants is primarily an exothermic process.

At high temperatures evaporation of the oil (an endothermic process) can be significant.

This evaporation affects the magnitude and shape of the DSC exotherm directly resulting

in imprecise determination of the oxidation

onset. Elevated pressure reduces volatility

and thus reduces the evaporation interference. High oxygen pressure also minimizes the mass transfer interference by slow oxygen diffusion

rates on rapid oil oxidation processes. Thus

high pressure increases the DSC peak magnitude

and onset sharpness of the DSC signal. For these reasons DSC studies of oil degradation

have been performed under high pressure [22,25,

27]. The DSC induction time method measures

the time required for oxidation of the oil sample to begin and produce a strong exothermal DSC signal. The induction time can be thought of in terms of the time during which

the additives inhibiting the oxidation processes are consumed. As long as the antioxidant

additives are functioning, DSC detects no changes in heat evolution rate and the flat straight induction period trace results

(Figure 1). Increasing oxygen pressure increases the magnitude of the thermal peak, but reduces the induction time. High pressure improves the symmetry of the peak shape by reducing the heat loss through evaporation. At higher oxy- gen pressures, increased oxygen availability

increases oil oxidation rates by increasing

the oxygen concentration and the oxygen diffusion rate into the oil. Induction times are reduced because antioxidants deplete faster. Increasing temperature also improves peak mag- nitude, but reduces induction time due to faster oxidation rate.

EXPERIMENTAL

HIGH PRESSURE MODIFICATION

A commercial power-compensation DSC was

used. The equipment was designed without the high pressure capability, so the cell supplied

with the unit was modified to operate at internal pressures of up to 7 MPa. These modifications were required to: (1) contain the pressure and (2) eliminate signal instability

at elevated pressures. Figure 2 illustrates the modifications

made to the DSC cell to contain high pressures. The existing commercial DSC cell (DSC cell body and cell cover) is at the center of Figure 2a. A detailed internal schematic dia- gram of the DSC cell is shown in Figure 3. Rubber "0-rings" were used to form a gas-tight

seal between the cell body and cover. A clamping device was designed to hold the cell body

and cover together against a designed pressure

of 14.0 MPa. The device consisted of 2 cm thick aluminum plates ("top plate" and "bottom

plate," Fig. 2a) joined by four tie rods at four corners. This clamping device or pressure reinforcement was anchored to the exiting DSC platform by several clear plastic support

rings. Pressure test of up to 7 MPa showed no gas leaks. Severe instability in the DSC signal oc- curred when the unit was operated at pressures

above 1 MPa. The instability was apparently

caused by turbulent flow and convective heat transfer at and above the sample pans in the

DSC cell. This hypothesis was reinforced when

the unit was operated near ambient pressures

and no instability in signals was observed. Three modifications of the existing cell were required to eliminate the DSC signal in- stability at elevated pressures: (1) the dome- shaped cavities in the cell cover above the sample and reference chambers (Figure 3) were

filled with glass wool to minimize the effects

of flow turbulence and heat convection on tem- perature; (2) a needle valve and flow meter

197
were installed downstream of the sample and reference cells in the gas line to balance the

gas flow rates through the two chambers. This would maintain the same flow rate of gas through the two cell chambers; and (3) the aluminum baffles (dashed line. Figure 3) were

removed from the sample and reference cavities

of the cell to minimize eddies in the flow

pattern. These combined measures produced a stable baseline at elevated pressures. Typical

peak-to-peak noise levels are less than 0.03

mcal/s.

TEST PROCEDURES

The test consists of catalyzed isothermal oxidation of an oil specimen in a differential scanning calorimeter. A small specimen (0.9

mg) of a mixture of oil and liquid catalyst is oxidized at 175 °C in a gold pan in oxygen at

a pressure of 3.62 MPa (525 psia). The selection of the test condition will be discussed

in detail in a later section. To bring the specimen to the test temperature in the shortest possible time, the sample is heated

at a rate of 160 degrees/mi n to 140 °C, then

at 80 degrees/min until the test temperature

is reached. A typical thermogram (rate of heat detected vs time) is shown in Figure 1. The oxidation induction time is determined by the intersection of the slope of the exotherm

with the base line. The induction time probably marks the time when the antioxidant addi- tives are depleted, i.e., the point at which

rapid, autocatalytic oxidation of the oil begins.The total time required to heat from room temperature to the test temperature is about

one minute. This constant time was neglected

in computing the oxidation induction time.

CATALYST PREPARATION

The soluble metal catalyst is a mixture

of commercial metal naphthanate preparations

mixed in the following proportions: 8 g lead, 0.69 g copper, 0.41 g iron, 0.35 g manganese,

and 0.35 g tin naphthanates. The fuel catalyst

is a neutralized, oxidized, and nitrated gasoline fraction prepared from ASTM Sequence VD gasoline by the procedure developed by Ku [18]. One hundred grams of the high boiling fraction

of the fuel (boiling point greater than 150 °C

at 5 cm Hg vacuum) was oxidized with air and nitric dioxide for 72 hours at 125 °C in an open glass tube. (Caution: proper safety

precautions should be exercised in oxidizing

flammable liquids such as gasoline.) The product, which had a total acid number (TAN) of about 15, was neutralized with sodium bicarbonate until the TAN was 2. The neutralized

product was used as the "synthetic fuel catalyst.

REFERENCE OILS

To maintain test precision in standardized

engine dynamometer tests, the ASTM test moni- toring board set up an engine test reference qualification system. The system is based on

a set of reference oils whose field performance

experience has been established. Periodically,

a coded reference oil sample is sent to each testing facility to compare its engine test results to the known performance. These oils,

therefore, are constantly being tested in engine tests and the test results are statis- tically significant.

Eight ASTM Engine Sequence HID Reference

Oils were obtained from the ASTM Engine Test Monitoring Center. The oxidation stability of the oils is measured in terms of time to 375 percent viscosity increase in the HID test. These times ranged from 16 hours to 64 hours. Four of the reference oils are SAE 30, two are 10W-30, and two are 10W-40. Prior to testing

in the DSC, oil was mixed with 3 volume percent

soluble metal catalyst and 3 volume percent

synthetic fuel catalyst.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The eight ASTM Engine Sequence HID

reference oils were used to develop the DSC procedure, to assess the effects of various parameters such as different catalysts, temperature, and pressure combinations, and to demonstrate correlation with engine test

results. The following sections describe the test procedure development and the engine test correlation. Effects of Temperature and Pressure-- Walker and Tsang [25] studied the effects of temperature and pressure on oxidation induction

time of various lubricants and found that for uncatalyzed lubricant oxidation, a pressure of 3.5 MPa was required to produce clear, sharp exotherm peaks. Therefore, the initial conditions were set at about 3.6 MPa oxygen pressure

and the isothermal test temperature was ad- justed to determine an optimum temperature for the ASTM HID engine test reference oils. The objective was to select a temperature at which

the induction times for all the reference oils

are within a range of 5 to 45 minutes. Table 1 shows the results of DSC tests at four temperatures. At 165 °C, the induction time of the most stable oil (76A) was too long. At 193 °C, induction times were too short. At 183 °C, oils of different stability could be distinguished, but the separation, for example between oils 77B-1 and 72A-1, was not significant within the test precision. The best separation and range based on test precision

was obtained at 175 °C. Effects of Metal Surfaces and Oxidized

Fuel Catalyst--In addition to oxygen and high

temperatures, oil in an engine encounters com- bustion products and metals which can react with the oil or catalyze its degradation.

198
Table 2 demonstrates the effects of various

metal surfaces and fuel components on OSC in- duction times using five HID engine test reference oils. Test results without fuel components on an aluminum surface, a non- catalytic metal, showed differences in stability of oils, but the relative ranking of the reference oils (1 being most stable) did not correspond to the HID engine test results. When these oils were tested on cold-rolled

steel surface, a known catalyst, the oxidation

induction times were shorter than on aluminum,

but the relative ranking of the reference oils

still did not match the engine test results. When the oxidized fuel fraction catalyst and

the mixed metal catalysts were added to the

oil and the oils tested on a gold surface, both the range of the induction times and oxi- dation stability ranking of the reference oils corresponded to engine test experience. Ap- parently the catalyst package containing the

fuel and metal mixtures provided some critical reaction pathways which simulated the engine

chemistry. Statistical analysis of the data

in Table 2 with respect to the correlation

coefficients and the tail significance also suggested that the mixed fuel and metal catalyst package is the most significant case (correction coefficient of 0.98). Effects of Water--Water is also present

in engine blow-by gases and the oil sump and

can contribute to oil degradation and sludge

formation. To test the effects of water on the DSC induction time, one percent water was

added to mixtures of HID reference oils and liguid catalyst package. Table 3 shows that water has variable effect on DSC induction

time. It increases the induction time of one

oil (76A) but has little effect on others. Mixtures containing one percent water were

unstable, sometimes forming a white precipitate

within 15 minutes after mixing. Repeatability

of DSC results was impaired by addition of water with no improvement in correlation with HID engine test results. Therefore, water

was not included in the final DSC test procedure. Engine Test Correlation—Final DSC test conditions and catalyst concentration were set

at 175 °C, 3.62 MPa oxygen pressure with three volume percent of the soluble metal mixtures

and three volume percent of the synthetic oxi- dized fuel fraction. Eight ASTM engine se- guence HID reference oils were tested. The DSC thermograms of these reference

oils are condensed in Figure 4. All reference

oils have very sharply defined peaks and the induction times can be easily determined. As shown in Figure 4, the peaks tend to cluster

into three groups: (A) reference oil 76A; (B) oils 73B-1, 79A, 81A, and 75B-1; (C) oils 77C, 77B-1, and 72A-1. Oil 72A-1 is almost identical to oil 77C and therefore is not shown in Figure 4 to avoid clutter. Oil 76A is the most oxidatively stable and followed by group

B and C oils. There is a clear separation on

induction between group B ("pass") oils and group C ("fail") oils. Comparing the DSC oxidation induction

times with seguence HID engine test results

in Table 4, there appears to be an almost

linear dependence between DSC induction times and HID viscosity increase break-point hours. The correlation reported here provides

insight into the mechanism of oil degradation

in engines. This verifies that oxidized fuel components and metal catalysts are important

participants in oil degradation chemistry in the sequence HID engine test as suggested by

previous workers [1-12]. The correlation

provides an attractive alternative for research

and quality control of lubricants using DSC. Test Precision—Precision of the DSC in- duction time data at the test conditions is good. The standard deviations in Table 4 average about six percent of the observed in- duction time with the maximum deviation at about ten percent. Potential sources of variance in the DSC test results include instability of catalysts,

instability of mixtures of catalysts and oil, and inhomogeneous mixing of the oil and catalysts. The metal catalyst mixture and the

fuel catalyst have been stored in argon atmo- sphere in amber vials for over eleven months with no apparent change in activity. Batch-tobatch variations of the fuel catalysts prepared

from the same batch of gasoline show no signi- ficant effects. Different gasoline batches,

however, do reguire adjustments in the oxida- tion conditions to maintain the test precision. Standard reference fuel catalyst materials

will be available for calibration [28].

CONCLUSIONS

A bench test has been developed which

correlates with the HID engine sequence test visosity break point. The correlation is ac- complished by simulation of the chemical envi- ronment of the engine. The test results, which

measure presumably antioxidant degradation

time, suggest that antioxidant lifetime is a major factor in oil service life. The test procedure is rapid, repeatable,

and requires only microliter quantities of

oil. Potential applications of the procedure

range from basic research to quality control.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank Dr. Chia-Soon

Ku who developed and prepared the oxidized

fuel catalyst and soluble metal catalyst for

this study. The data supplied by Mr. J. Walker

and Dr. W. Tsang of the Chemical Kinetics Division, Center for Chemical Physics, NBS, are sincerely appreciated. The generous support

from the Recycled Oil Program, Office of Recycled Materials, National Bureau of Standards, is also acknowledged.

199
REFERENCES

[1] Hsu, S. M. , "Engine Oil Evaluation Through

Bench Testing," Proc. Joint Conf. Meas. Standards Recycled Oil/Syst. Perf, Dura- bility , NBS SP 584 , pp. 191-204 (1980).

[2] Korcek, S. , Mahoney, L. R. , Johnson, M.D.,

and Otto, K. , "Antioxidant Consumption and Oxidative Degradation of Lubricants,"

ibid . , pp. 227-235.

[3] Spilners, I. J., and Hedenburg, J. F., "Effect of Fuel and Lubricant Composition

on Engine Deposit Formation," Prepri nts ACS Div. Petrol . Chem. , 26, 632-639 (March

1981).

[4] Geyer, J. , "The mechanism of deposit for- mation and control in gasoline engines,"

Preprints ACS Div. Petrol. Chem. , 14, A15- A23 (1969).

[5] Williams, A. L. , "Lacquer precursor from

a paraffinic lubricant traced by Carbon

14," ibid , A7-A12.

[6] Vineyard, B. D. , and Coran, A. Y. , "Gasoline engine deposit: I. Blow-by collection and identification of deposit

precursors," ibid . , A25-A32.

[7] Coran, A. Y. , and Vineyard, B. D. , "Gasoline engine deposit: II. Sludge binder,"

ibid . , A35-A44.

[8] Dimitroff, E. , Moffit, J. V., and Qui 1

lian, R. D. , "Aromatic Compounds in Fuels Identified as Main Precursors of Engine

Varnish," SAE J. , 77, 52-58 (1969).

[9] Anderson, D. J. , "Mechanism of Engine De- posit and Wear. A Progress Report," Jap. Petrol. Inst. Meeting , Tokyo, Japan (Oct. 1968). [10] Dimitroff, E. , and Qui 1 lian, R. D. , "Low Temperature Engine SI udge--What?--Where?--

How?," Internat. Auto. Eng. Cong. , SAE Paper No. 650255, Detroit (Jan. 1965). [11] Dimitroff, E. , Moffit, J. V., and Qui 1 - lian, R. D. , "Why, What, and How: Engine

Varnish," ASME Trans. J. Lubr. Tech. , pp. 406-410 (July 1969).

[12] Spindt, R. S. , Wolfe, C. L. , and Stevens,

D. R. , "Nitrogen Oxides, Combustion, and Engine Deposits," SAE Trans . , 64, 797-811

(1956). [13] Schwarz, C. F. , "Used Oil Analysis: Past, Present, and Future," Proc. Joint Conf. Meas. Standards Recycled Oil/Syst. Perf. Durability , NBS SP 584 , pp. 167-171

(1980).

[14] Klaus, E. E. , and Tweksbury, E. J., "Mi- crocorrosion Studies with Functional

Fluids," Lubr. Eng. , 29, 205-211 (1973).

[15] Bondi , A. , Physical Chemistry of Lubricating Oils , Rheinhold Publishing Corp., New

York (1951), p. 302. [16] Cecil, R. , "High Temperature Thickening of Motor Oils," J. Inst. Petrol. , 59, 201-210

(1973). [17] Lockwood, F. , and Klaus, E. E. , "Ester 0xidation--The Effect of an Iron Surface,"

ASLE Preprint No. 81-AM-3D-2 (1981).

[18] Ku, C.-S., and Hsu, S. M. , "A Thin-Film

Oxygen Uptake Test for Evaluation of Auto- motive Crankcase Lubricants," paper

presented at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication

Conference, October 5-7, Washington, D.C. (1982).

[19] Verly, G. M. , "Lubricating Oil Detergency

Testing," U.S. Patent 3,044-860 (July 17, 1962). [20] Forbes, E. S. , and Wood, J. M. , "Development of a Bench Detergency Test for Auto- motive Oils and Its Correlation with the MS Sequence V Engine Test," I&EC Prod. R&D, 8, 48-54 (1969).

[21] Hotten, B. W. , and King, J. M. , "Lubricating Oil Additive Composition," U.S. Patent

4 032 462 (June 28, 1977). [22] Noel, F. , "The Characterization of Lube Oils and Fuel Oils by DSC Analysis," vh_ Inst. Petrol

.

, 57, 354-358 (1971).

[23] Noel, F., and Cranton, G. E. , "Application

of Scanning Calorimetry to Petroleum Oxi- dation Studies," Analytical Calorimetry , 3, Plenum Press, New York (1974), Eds.

R. S. Porter and J. F. Johnson, pp. 305-

320. [24] Cranton, G. E. , "Composition and Oxidation

of Petroleum Fractions," Thermochim. Acta , 14, 201-208 (1976).

[25] Walker, J. A., and Tsang, W. , "Characterization of Lubricating Oils by Differential Scanning Calorimetry," SAE Tech. Paper 801383 (Oct. 1980).

[26] Wesolowski, M. , "Thermal Analysis of Pe- troleum Products," Thermochim. Acta , 46, 21-45 (1981).

[27] Levy, P. F. , Nieuweboer, G. , and Semanski,

L. C. "Pressure Differential Scanning

Calorimetry," Thermochim. Acta , 1, 429-439

(1970).

[28] The fuel catalyst will be issued as Stan- dard Reference Material 1817 with certified stability data by the Office of Standard Reference Materials, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C. 20234.

200
Table 1

Effect of Temperature on DSC Induction Times

1 1 ID Viscosity

Breakpoi nt Induction time. mi n Oi 1 Hrs 165 °C 175 °C 183 °C

76A 64 J 64 37.5 16. 1

75B-1 56 21.5 12. 9

73B-1 48 16. 1 10.6

81A 40 19.5 8.8

79A 40 16. 1 11.4

77B-1 24 7. 5 4.6

72A-1 16 5.6 3.9

77C 16 5.3 3.2

Operati ng condi ti ons

3.6 MPa oxygen pressure

3% (volume) soluble metal catalysts

3% (volume) oxidized fuel component catalyst

Gold sample pan

Table 2

Effects of Metals and Liquid Catalyst on DSC Tests

of 1 1 1 0 Oils

193 °C

4.5

3.3

Oils hid Isothermal DSC

Hrs. Rank on aluminum* wi th steel * liquid catalysts**

t- a

l nd

in. rank i ndmin. rank

t - A l nd

min. rank

76A 64 1 47 1 29 1 16 1

75B- 1 56 2 22 4 16 2 13 2

79A 40 3 30 2 11 4 11 3

77B- 1 24 4 30 2 15 3 5 4

72A- 1 16 5 20 5 9 5 4 5

*data furnished by J. Walker and Tsang; 3.5 MPa oxygen, 185 °C **3% (volume) soluble metal catalysts

3% (volume) oxidized fuel component catalysts

at 3.6 MPa oxygen, 183 °C, on gold surface

201
Table 3

Effect of Water on OSC Tests of 1 1 ID Reference Oils

DSC Induction Time, min.

Oi 1 1% Water No water Di f f erence

76A 48 37 11

75B-1 2? 22 0

73B-1 15 16 - 1

81A 18 20 - 2

79A lb 16 - 1

72A-1 5. 1 5.6 - 0. 5

Operati ng conditions 3% (volume) soluble metal catalysts

3% (volume) oxidized fuel component

catalyst, 3.6 MPa oxygen, 175 °C

,

on gold surface

Table 4

Compari son of Oxidation Induction Time Viscosity Increase with 1 1 ID

Oil SAE Grade

1 1 ID Hrs.

SEStatus

DSC* Induction

t ime , min.

76A 10W-40 64 Pass 38 ± 2

75B- 1 10W- 30 56 Pass 21 ± 2

73B- 1 30 48 Pass** 16 ± 1

81A 30 40 Pass 20 ± 1

79A 10W-30 40 Pass lb ± 1

77B- 1 10W- 40 24 Fai 1 7.5 ± 0.4

77C 30 16 Fail 5. 3 ± 0.2

72A- 1 30 16 Fai 1 5.6 + 0.2

*At 175 °C, 3.62 MPa oxygen, with 3% (vol.) soluble metal catalysts

3% (vol.) oxidized fuel component catalysts; uncertainty is standard deviation of three measurements. **Passed viscosity criterion, but failed wear criterion.

202
ANTIOXIDANT

DEPLETION AUTOCATALYSIS

E XO

dQ

dt

10 m e

203
Top Plate

DSC Cell Cover

DSC Cell Body

Bottom

Plate

Tie

Rod

DSC

Platform

Support

Rings

Figure 2. DSC High Pressure Cell

(a) Vertical section

204
Figure 2. DSC High Pressure Cell

(b) Top view

205
CELL COVER

Sample Pan

and Cover

Glass Wool

CELL BODY

. r.

Purge Outlet

O- Ring

Reference Pan

and Cover

Aluminum Baffle

Purge Inlet

Figure 3. DSC cell and cover, vertical section

206
Time, min

Figure 4. DSC thermograms of HID reference oils

207
4 0

76 A

c

£

CD 30

o

Q

3

o

CO

Q

20

10

J 8 1 A

79A £ i

o 75B

73B- 1

1 77B

77C, 7 2 A - 1

16 24 32 48 56 64

HID Viscosity Break Point, hrs

Figure 5. Correlation of DSC induction time and HID viscosity break time

208
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurement

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

COMPARATIVE RESPONSE OF RE-REFINED AND VIRGIN LUBE OILS TO ADDITIVES BY DSC

J. A. Walker, W. Tsang, L. Szegvary

National Bureau of Standards

Chemical Kinetics Division

Washington, DC 20234

Earlier studies have demonstrated the capability of high pressure differential scan- ning calorimetry (HPDSC) for determining the propensity towards autoxidation of lubricating oils. This report is an extension of previous work and is focused on the following

i ssues:

a) The consistency of basestocks produced over the course of a year, with special

reference to the similarities and differences between re-refined and virgin

basestocks.

b) The effect of the various components in the additive mixture on the intensity

and time of response.

c) The response of various fractions of the basestocks to a particular additive.

d) The response of basestocks to different additive packages.

Our results are consistent with the assumption that differences between virgin and re- refined basestocks are no larger than those between virgin basestocks. Appropriate

additives can overcome such differences. The variation in oxidative properties for

samples of virgin and re-refined basestocks prepared over a period of time were similar.

The polar and aromatic fractions in basestocks contain the active constituents that

interact with the antioxidant. With respect to additives, both detergents and dispersants

have effects on autoxidation properties. Addition of calcium sulfonate results in a dramatic increase in heat effects and serves to increase the sensitivity of the method.

1. Introduction

In earlier communications [l,2] x we have demonstrated the use of High Pressure Differential

Scanning Calorimetry (HPDSC) as a sensitive probe for the oxidative stability of automotive lubricat

ing oils. With high pressures of air or oxygen in both scanning and isothermal modes, differences

between and among virgin and recycled base oils as well as formulated oils can be precisely determined. For the base oils, differences between re-refined and virgin basestocks can be easily

established through examinations of the scanning thermograms. With respect to the formulated oils, more quantitative measures of oxidative stability can be established through measurements of induction times in isothermal experiments than for onset temperatures in scanning runs. In this paper we apply this methodology to the solution of questions dealing with the consistency and long term stability of basestocks, the response of basestocks to a variety of additive packages, the effect of

the various components in the additive mixture on the intensity and time of response and the respons

of various components of the basestock towards a particular additive.

The work that will be described is part of the Recycled Oil Program in the Office of Recycled

Materials at the National Bureau of Standards. This work responds to the legislative mandates of

the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 [5] and has as one of its aims the establishment of

the scientific and technical basis for the characterization of recycled petroleum products. A major

part of this program during the past year has dealt with the consistency of basestocks. Over a period of 13 months, samples from re-refiners and virgin oil refiners were subject to a variety of

tests. The present report represents our contribution to this project. Noel and Cranton [6,7] have

demonstrated the effect of anti-oxidant concentration on oxidative stability, and from studies on the separate fractions of basestocks suggested that the aromatic portion (also containing various

sulfur compounds) appeared to have natural antioxidant properties. The present paper is based on

1 Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

209
the HPDSC analyses on formulated lube oils (basestock plus additive package). It is well known that

additives play a dominant role in the performance of lubricating oils. The present study can, therefore, be expected to shed some light on the nature of additi ve--basestock interaction.

2. Experimental

All experiments were carried out with a Dupont2 990 Thermal Analyzer and 910 High Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimeter [4]. The procedure and rationale are described in detail in

earlier publications [1-3]. Briefly, approximately 1 milligram of oil is placed in an open aluminum

pan with an empty pan as a reference. The oxidation onset temperature is determined by programmed

scanning at a constant heating rate (20 °C/min) and 700 KPa air pressure until a sharp rise in

signal is observed. Oxidation induction time is determined at an isothermal temperature (185 °C and

3.4 MPa oxygen) and is the time at which a sharp rise in signal is observed. In both cases the

linear portion of the curve is extrapolated to the baseline. The total heat of the reaction can also be determined, by allowing the induction time curve to return to the baseline, then measuring

the area under the curve, and using the sample mass with a calibration constant.

All additives used in these studies were from commercial manufacturers and were supplied

through the Recycled Oil Program at NBS. The base oil fractions were supplied by the Tribochemistry

Group at NBS and were prepared by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The eluents were

saturated, aromatic and polar fractions. The former represented the largest component. A fixed amount of additive (7.7% by wt. ) was added to each of the fractions, and the onset temperatures and

induction times determined.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Consistency Tests

Over a period of 13 months, 132 oil samples (65 virgin and 67 re-refined) were evaluated for

oxidative stability. These represented contributions from ten companies and were delivered at the rate of one per month from each source. Primary interest was focussed on the variations between

samples from the same manufacturers. Experiments were carried out in the scanning mode in the

absence and presence (7.7%) of the additive package made available to us by the Recycled Oil Program.

As expected, the additive increased the onset temperature by 40-60 °C. However, as noted earlier,

the most sensitive determinations are from induction time measurements at the same treat-level

(7.7%). This will be the focus of our discussion. As an indication of the sensitivity of the

method , we show in table 1 typical results of induction time and onset temperature measurements for

ASTM formulated reference oils. On this basis it appears that a 4 percent standard deviation (la)

in induction time measurements is achievable. This test was next evaluated with respect to two oils

which had undergone fleet and engine testing. Results of the ASTM HID Engine Sequence Test, which

were obtained on the re- refined and virgin oils used in the Environment Canada/RCMP Fleet Test, are presented in table 2, with DSC induction time data. Equal concentrations of the same additive

package were blended with each oil. Both oils satisfactorily completed the fleet test as well as the engine sequence tests for the API SE Service Classification. However, only the re-refined oil

passed the more severe SF engine test requirements. These oils are also clearly differentiated by

DSC induction time measurements, which show a greater oxidative stability for the re-refined oil (42

min) than for the virgin oil (30 min). We make no claims that these tests simulate directly what

occurs in an engine. However, the above data does indicate some correlation of DSC data with

performance testing and provides some indication of time scales for the HP DSC method.

All the results using this method on the basestock consistency study samples are summarized in

figures 1 and 2 and table 3. In terms of individual suppliers, we summarize in table 4 induction

time measurements listed according to refiners. One can see that there is considerable variation in

the basestocks. However, our results give no indication of any greater variability in re-refined

basestocks in comparison to virgin basestocks whether considered all together or in terms of samples

from single suppliers.

2 Certain commercial materials and equipment are identified in this paper in order to specify

adequately the experimental procedure. In no case does such identification imply recom- mendation or endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards, nor does it imply the

material or equipment identified is necessarily the best available for the purpose.

210
ASTM Reference

Oil Sample

Table 1. Repeatability

Induction Time, Min. Onset Temperature

71B 41.3 259

44.3 260

41.0 260

46.0 260

43.7 259

41.0 263

40.5 262

44.5 263

42.0 260

42.3

45.7

42.8

Mean 42.93 260.67 °C

S n a 1.89 1.58

70H 8.9 225

8.5 227

8.8 225

8.8 223

9.0 224

8.5 223

8.5

8.8

Mean 8.73 224.5 °C

S

n 0.20 1.52

Sp = Standard Deviation (la).

Table 2. DSC and engine test results from environment canada/RCMP fleet test

0

Oil Sample

Re-refined Oi

Onset T, °C Induction Time, Min Engine Test Results, Hours

Quart Can (1)

Quart Can (2) Test Drum

259 ± 0.5

260 ± 0 258 ±0.5

41.5 ±0.5

43.3 ± 0.8

40.6 ± 0.1

Pass 40(SE) Pass 64(SE)

Average 259 ± 1 41.8 ± 1.4

Virgin Oil

Quart Can (1)

Quart Can (2) Test Drum

252 ± 0 253 ± 0 254 ± 029.3 ± 0.7

29.5 ± 0.5

28.0 ± 0

Pass 40(SE) Fail 64(SE)

Average 253 ± 1 28.9 ± 0.8

.Both oils satisfactorily completed fleet test. Both oils met the design criteria for that additive package (MIL-L-46152A;

pass at 40 hours).

^Time to 375% viscosity increase.

All data are average of two determinations.

± values for averages are standard deviations (la).

211
VIRGIN BASE STOCKS

AVERAGE

INDUCTION

TIME

22.06+ 8.7 MIN

16 20 24 28 INDUCTION TIME . MIN 44

Figure 1. Summary of induction time data for virgin basestocks used in consistency study.

RE-REFINED BASE STOCKS

Figure 2. Summary of induction time data for re-refined basestocks used in

consistency study.

212
We have also carried out studies with three additional additive packages supplied by other

manufacturers. Five virgin and 4 re-refined oils were included in this study and the results are summarized in table 5. These results appear to confirm that there are additive packages that are more suitable for virgin basestocks than for re-refined basestocks, and vice-versa. Indeed, the

present results are in accordance with the concept that there are additive packages that are particularly suited for each basestock. This is especially noticeable in the case of one of the virgin

basestocks, which was always a persistent deviant in the earlier consistency tests. It was found

that with the new additive packages, the HPDSC results were brought closer to those of the other

oi 1 s.

Data on the long term stability of several formulated oil samples used in the consistency

testing are summarized in table 6. It should be noted that, in general, the base oils appear to be

stable [over the 13 month period] in the sense that induction time measurements made immediately

after adding the additive mixture and at later intervals yield very reproducible values. This

appeared to be the case for all the treated base oils (with the additive used in the consistency

tests) except for the one virgin basestock that gave persistently low induction times during the

study. The evidence is clear that for this oil there is a slow reaction between the additive and

base oil which decreases the HPDSC results. It is noteworthy that this virgin oil showed somewhat

larger variability in the consistency tests. Over all, the present study suggests the usefulness of

the High Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry technique as a means of monitoring lubricating

base oils.

Figures 3, 4, and 5 represent data on the effect when the consistency study additive package is added to various lube oil fractions derived from a re-refined basestock. The fractions consisted of

a saturated fraction containing mostly paraffinic and naphthenic compounds (fig. 3), an aromatic

fraction containing 1 and 2 ringed aromatics and alkyl substituted aromatics (fig. 4), and a polar

fraction with organic nitrogen, sulfur and nitrogen compounds as well as the polynuclear aromatics

(fig. 5). It can be seen that the results from the scanning and isothermal experiments are consistent with the assumption that the non-paraff inic fraction of the basestock contain components that

are capable of deactivating the added inhibitor. This is particularly striking in the case of the

polar fraction where scanning thermograms with and without additives are virtually identical. In the isothermal experiment, figure 6, there is in fact no induction time for the polar fraction. In the absence of inhibitors the contrast between the scanning thermograms of the paraffinic and the

aromatic and polar fractions is indicative of self-inhibition in the latter. This has been

suggested previously by Cranton [8]. Thus, this base oil obviously contains components that are self-inhibiting but which also appear to deactivate added inhibitors. This is indicative of the

very complex interactions that occur during the oxidative degradation process. In this sense, it appears that the scientifically interesting chemistry which takes place during autoxidation,

actually primarily occurs in the aromatic and polar fractions. Of course, this effect is finally

seen in the complete lube oil sample.

3.2. Response of Base Oil Fractions to Additives

Table 3. Summary of basestock consistency study data

Virgin Re-Ref i ned

(1) Average induction time,

min (basestock + add. pkg.

22.1 + 8.7 25.9 + 6.0

(2) Average onset temperature,

°C (basestock as received)

193.6 + 7.1 213.0 + 5.9

(3) Average onset temperature,

°C (basestock + add pkg.)

250.5 +2.5 256.7 + 2.6

(4) Percent of samples (basestock

+ add. pkg.) with induction

time > 16 min.

80% 93%

213
Table 4. Summary of basestock consistency data induction time, min

Month A B C D I a

E F G H J K

narcn JLU 9V1 90 9/1 9Q CO C±

AApn l i n £.1 9R COOQ 97 9C£.0 OQ 1 11/ its

May 9 29 29 32 30 30 28 18 22 28

June 9 25 37 31 28 27 32 12 18 32

30

34

July 7 22 21 28 25 32 22 19 24 28

August 6 24 22 22 25 33 26 13 26 30

September 8 22 21 28 29 31 27 20 24 29

October 6 22 25 29 29 27 26 22 27 26

November 7 21 20 25 24 30 38 18 22 27

December 6 22 23 28 24 26 26 18 23 26

January 6 19 18 28 26 37 17 25 42

February 8 21 20 29 25 30 28 36 22 22

March 9 27 40 33 34 38 17 24 28 24

Mean 7.7 23.2 25.

1

28.

4

26. 7 29.0 29.9 18. 5 24.

7

28. 2 22. 3

Std. Dev. 1.5 2.8 6.6 2.8 3.0 2.5 4.9 3.9 4.2 5.6 1.5

aVirgin basestock I was a blind control

,

with all samples coming from a single large

sample.

Table 5. Induction time data (4 commercial additive packages)

Pkg. Pkg. Pkg. Pkg.

A(7.7 wt. %) B(10.8 vol. %) C(7.4 vol. %) D(7.45 vol. %)

Oxidative Induction Time, Min

Re-refined Basestock

BC7346 29 13 14 58

BC7347 30 15 20 54

BC7352 18 14 18 26

BC7353 22 17 18 52

Virgin Basestock

BC7348 7 17 17 26

BC7349 20 34 28 58

BC7350 25 38 33 59

BC7351 24 29 28 60

BC7354 21 27 29 51

Paraffin Oil 68 87 70 141

214
Table 6. Long term stability of basestock mixtures

Sample + 7.7% Initial Induction Induction Time Time Difference

Additive Pkg. Time, Min Nov. 80, Min Month

Virgin Basestock

(Company A)

BC7168 10 7.3 7 BC7168 (New Mixture Nov. '80) — 10

BC7230 9 6.2 5 BC7242 9 5.4 4 BC7263 6 5.3 2

(Company B)

BC7202 24 23.2 6

Re-refined Basestock

BC7187 26 28 7 BC7204 25.5 26 6 BC7227 30.4 30 5

ASTM Ref. Oil

(70H-IIIC) 8.2 8.7 17

3.3. Response of Base Oils to Additive Components

When zinc-dial kyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) was added directly to base oils, the isothermal experi- ments yielded signals that were much weaker than when the total additive package was used (fig. 7). In order to check this phenomenon we made a mixture of 1% (wt. ) ZDDP + 2% (wt. ) of calcium sulfonate

(detergent) and a light, white paraffin oil and compared the results with just 1% ZDDP in the

paraffin oil. The difference in response between the oils would then obviously be due to the

presence of the detergent, calcium sulfonate. Addition of the detergent reduced the induction time

by 10 minutes, as can be seen in figure 8. Also, the heat generated is close to an order of magnitude larger. More systematically, one virgin and one re- refined base oil were treated with 1% ZDDP

and from 0.25 to 2% calcium sulfonate. The results are summarized in table 7, and demonstrate the

continued increase in heat until the maximum amount was added. The effects on the induction time

are also included. For the two base oils shown, there is a small but significant increase in induction time with detergent concentration. There is some evidence that the numbers may be ap- proaching a maximum. On the other hand, with paraffin oil induction time is reduced. Also included

are data on various other detergents and dispersants. The change in induction times is presumably a manifestation of the higher order interactions and represent the type of synergism that is often

discussed as "additive response". The inverse effect for the paraffin oil is indicative of another

complexity of the phenomena.

Nevertheless, the large increase in heat output is of considerable interest in terms of its

relationship to the autoxidation process. If one assumes that the detergent is acting in its

designated role, then these observations suggest solubilization of reactive species leading to a higher level of reactivity. However, for the present purposes, the retardation of autoxidation,

this is an undesirable quality. Since additives clearly improve lubricating oil performance, there

is an obvious inconsistency. We suspect that this is an example of the well known "catastrophic"

nature of lubricant failure. In other words, once "failure" begins the subsequent chemistry is immaterial. Furthermore, this "failure" must occur under very low percentage conversion. On this

basis, the choice of onset temperature and induction time as markers for the consistency of

lubricating oils appears to be justified. It is in accord with our earlier conclusion (1) that

there is no correlation between the measured heat of reaction and the quality of a lubricating oil.

It should also be noted that all of the above is based on ZDDP as the antioxidant. We have

also carried out additional experiments with calcium phenate as the anti-oxidant. The results are summarized in tables 8 and 9, and no particular difficulties were experienced in obtaining

sufficient heat of reaction for induction time determinations. As before, the onset temperatures

215
Figure 3. Temperature scanning thermograms of saturated fraction from re-refined

oil with and without additive package "A".

AROMATIC FRACTION

W/ADD. PKG.

240 TEMPERATURE ,°C

Figure 4. Temperature scanning thermograms of aromatic fraction from re-refined oil

with and withoug additive package "A".

216
Figure 5. Temperature scanning thermograms of polar fraction from re-refined oil with and

without additive package "A".

are not particularly informative (table 8). They do show, together with the induction time

determinations, that at the recommended levels the numbers are close to those used in the consistency tests. Of special interest is the observation that the virgin basestock, which was an obvious

outrider in the consistency tests, responded much better to the calcium phenate antioxidant and is now brought much closer to the range of other virgin basestocks. However, the effect on the

paraffin oil sample is strikingly different from that caused by the original ZDDP additive package.

Similarly, when the calcium sulfonate detergent is mixed with the calcium phenate antioxidant, one

notes a decrease in induction time as opposed to the increase when ZDDP is the antioxidant. All of

these effects are indicative of the high degree of specificity for the additive/base oil interactions. The important point in all these observations is that HPDSC provides a convenient and

precise means of quantifying such effects.

4. Conclusions

From the results of the High Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetric test, it appears that

the variations in autoxi dative propensity of re- refined basestocks are no worse than those for

virgin basestocks. There are, however, sufficient differences in physico-chemical properties such

that certain additive packages will provide a substantially more satisfactory service with one type

of base oil. Information has been obtained with respect to the finer details of the additive

basestock interaction. In particular, the crucial reaction is clearly between the more polar

constituents of the basestock and the inhibitor. Detergents have the direct effect of markedly

increasing the heat of reaction during isothermal experiments. This is supportive of the assumption

that the key steps in the mechanism for autoxi dative degradation of lubricating oils occur during

the initiating stages. Synergistic effects arising from interactions involving detergents have been

observed. They are clearly specific to the system in question. Pending a more detailed understanding of the molecular nature of the complex interactions during the degradation of a lubricant, HPDSC

appears to be a valuable tool for monitoring the relative response of lubricants to additives.

217
EXO

a"<

ENDO

AROMATIC FRACTION W/ADD.PKG.

I meal/sec

POLAR FRACTION W/ADD.PKG.

,25mcal/sec

<l mm

J I I L

10 20 30 40

INDUCTION TIME.MIN

50

Figure 6. Induction time thermograms of aromatic and polar fractions with

additive package "A".

Table 7. Synergistic effects of some lubricating oil additives

Sampl

e

Addi ti ves Induction

(Time , Mi n.

)

AH

(kJ/G)

VBC7378 + VBC7378 + VBC7378 + VBC7378 + VBC7378 +

1% ZDDP

1% ZDDP + 2.0%

1% ZDDP +1.0%

1% ZDDP + 0.5%

1% ZDDP + 0.25%

calcium sulfonate detergent (A)

1619

20

1917

0.72

8.58

1.71 1.06

RBC7374 + RBC7374 + RBC7374 + RBC7374 + RBC7374 +1% ZDDP

1% ZDDP

1% ZDDP

1% ZDDP

1% ZDDP

2.0%

1.0%

0.5%

0.25%

calcium sulfonate detergent (A)

9

14 13n

to

0.64

8.03

2. 58

1.01

Paraffin Oil + 1% ZDDP

+ 2% Detergent

+ 5% Dispersant

3320

27

VBC7265 + 1% ZDDP VBC7265 + 1% ZDDP + 2.0%

VBC7265 + 1% ZDDP + 2%

VBC7265 + 1% ZDDP + 2.0%

calcium sulfonate detergent(A)

magnesium sulfonate

calcium sulfonate detergent (B)

1420

1320

218
RE-REFINED BASESTOCK

W/ADDITIVE PKG. —*j \ "I-

/ \ ]_0.25mcol/sec

W/ZDDP / \ meal/sec ^\ / \

3 10 20 30 40 50

TIME.MIN

Figure 7. Comparison of the signal magnitude of a base oil with 1% (wt. ) ZDDP

and additive package "A".

EXO

PARAFFIN OIL + 1Z ZDDP

+ 2Z CALCIUM SULFONATE

PARAFFIN OIL + 1 Z ZDDP

23

i.

1 1 0 20 40 0 20 40

TIME, MIN

Figure 8. Comparison of signal magnitude of a paraffin light oil contining

1% (wt. ) ZDDP with a paraffin light oil containing 1% (wt. ) ZDDP plus

2% (wt. ) calcium sulfonate detergent.

219
Table 8. Oxidation onset temperature results for ZDDP and calcium phenate antioxidants

Additive Pkg. (A) Calcium Phenate Calcium phenate 2% by wt. 7.7% by wt. (Antioxidant) Calcium sulfonate 2% by wt. 2% by wt. (Detergent)

Re-Refined Basestocks Oxidative Onset Temperature, °C

BC7346 258 260 259

BC7347 257 260 259

BC7352 261 262 261 BC7353 258 261 256

Virgin Basestocks

BC7348 244 257 252

BC7349 249 253 249

250 250 246

BC7351 254 256 254

BC7354 253 249 252

Heating Rate 20 °C/min

Purge Gas Air , Flow Rate 100 cm /min Pressure 700 KPa (100 psig)

Table 9. Induction time results for ZDDP and calcium phenate antioxidants

Calcium Phenate Cal ci urn Phenate 2% by wt. Additive Pkg. (A) (Antioxidant) Calcium Sulfonate 2% by wt 7.7% by wt. 2% by wt. (Detergent)

Re-refined Basestocks Oxidative Induction time , min.

BC7346 29 36 32 BC7347 30 31 30

BC7352 18 27 19 BC7353 22 29 23

Virgin Basestocks

BC7348 7 17 16

BC7349 20 21 17 BC7350 25 26 18

BC7351 24 32 22 BC7354 21 27 16

Paraffin Oil 68 25 19

Temperature, °C 185

Purge Gas 0xygen

3 Flow Rate 100 cm /min. Pressure 3.4 MPa (500 psig)

We would like to express our appreciation to Mr. Donald Becker and the Recycled Oil Program

their generous support. In addition, we would like to thank the members of the Tribiochemistry

Group for supplying the samples and additives and Dr. Patrick Pei for the basestock fractions.

220
5. References

[1] Walker, J. A. and Tsang, W. , Joint Conference on Measurements and Standards for Recycled

Oil /Systems Performance and Durability October 23-26, 1979, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ

584; 1980.

[2] Walker, J. A. and Tsang, W. , SAE Technical Paper Series 801385, Fuel and Lubricant, Baltimore,

Maryland, 1980.

[3] Walker, J. A. and Tsang, W. , Proceedings of the Tenth NATAS Conference, Boston, Massachusetts,

1980, p 291.

[4] Levy, P. F. , Nievweboer, G. and Semanski , L. C. , Thermochimi ca Acta, T_, 429-439 (1970).

[5] Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 [P.L. 94-163, Section 383; 42 U.S.C. 6363(C)1].

[6] Noel, F. and Cranton, F. E. , Analytical Calorimetry, Vol. 3, R. S. Porter and J. F. Johnson,

ed. New York: Plenum Publishing Co.; New York, 1974. 305.

[7] Noel, F. , J. Inst. Petrol., 57: 354-358; 1971.

[8] Cranton, G. E. , Thermoctiemica Acta, 14: 201-208; 1976.

221

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982,

(Issued July 1984).

KINETIC STUDIES FOR WASTE OIL DEMETALLIZATION

A. R. Tarrer, R. Sachhathep, D. L. Vives, and L. J. Hirth

Chemical Engineering Department

Auburn University

Alabama 36849

1. Introduction

Research in waste oil re-refining was begun at Auburn University in January 1982. Major

emphasis was placed on the development of kinetic parameters for demetall ization using dibasic

ammonium phosphate (DAP). In addition, studies were conducted in the area of hydrogenation

accompanied by demetall ization of waste oil using three types of guard catalysts. Thermal demetal1 ization was also briefly investigated.

The data obtained in the laboratory was used in the design fabrication and operation of a small

re-refining unit recently started up in the Auburn area. Currently, the final product is a high

quality fuel oil obtained at a capacity of 200,000 gallons/year. Future plans entail the addition of

hydrotreating unit for the production of a high quality lube oil basestock.

The experimental findings at Auburn will be of aid in the characterization of waste oils in terms of kinetic behavior and the prediction of operative parameters for their processing.

2. Experimental

2.1. Equipment:

Reactions were carried out in microreactors (tubing bomb reactors) constructed of 316 seamless

stainless steel, 3/4" O.D. with 0.065 inch wall thickness. Two types of microreactors were used.

The first was sealed at both ends with Swagelok caps and had no provisions for charging the reactor with gases (fig. 1). The second type of reactor was sealed on one end with a Swagelok cap and the

other end was fitted with Swagelok reducing unions connected to a Swagelok fine-metering valve (fig.

2) . The valve was used for pressurizing the reactor contents with gases. The internal volume of

these reactors amounted to 46.3 cm3 .

Reaction temperatures were maintained at the desired values by immersing the microreactors in a fluidized bath. Techne Inc. SBL-2D fluidized baths equipped with Techne TC-4D temperature controllers were used to maintain temperatures within + 2 °C. The reactors were agitated at 850 r.p.m. by

using a variable speed motor equipped with crankshaft, bushing, couplings and extension rods (fig.

3) .

Other equipment employed were porcelain and vycor crucibles (50 ml capacity), bunsen burners

with tripod stand and wire gauze and a high temperature muffle furnace (Sybron/ Thermolyne).

Dehydration of samples was accomplished with the use of a Rotovapor-R, Fisher Scientific #9-548-151

(1979).

Experiments were performed using several batches of waste oil obtained randomly from service

stations and individual car owners. Reagents included dibasic ammonium phosphate (99.5% pure), MCB

Co., A.C.S. certified, and sulfuric acid (95%-98% purity), Fisher Scientific Co., A.C.S. certified.

In the hydrogenation studies the guard catalysts, nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas, Alabama Oxygen Co.

Inc. were employed.

223
3/4" 0.0. SS Tube

8" Long

Swagelok Cap (3/4")

Figure 1. Microreactor used for demetall ization reactions

2.2. Procedure:

2.2.1. Reactions with Dibasic Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)

Carefully weighed samples of 30 g of dehydrated oil and the required amount of DAP were placed

in the reactor. To these, just enough distilled water was added to yield a saturated solution of

the DAP. The addition of DAP and H 2 0 separately, rather than in the form of a saturated solution,

was made to improve experimental accuracy. The H 2 0 was required as a reactant in the proposed

reaction stoichiometry. To provide mixing, two steel balls were added. The tubing bomb was then

sealed and the reaction was carried out in the fluidized sand bath. The speed of agitation was maintained at 850 r.p.m. Reaction temperatures were varied between 250 and 400 °F.

At the end of the reaction, the shaft was removed from the fluidized bed and the reactor was

cooled. The products were then carefully removed and centrifuged for 30 minutes at 3500 r.p.m. The

supernatent oil was decanted into a flask and dehydrated in the rotovap under vacuum (5 m.m. Hg) at

60 °C. This was determined to be a low enough temperature to avoid any further reaction of

remaining traces of DAP with the oil. The dehydrated product was finally filtered and ashed in accordance with ASTM procedures D-482 and D-874 for ash and sulfated ash respectively.

2.2.2. Hydrogenation Studies

The second type of microreactor (fig. 2) was used in these reactions. The reactor was charged

with 15 g of oil and 1.5 g of the powdered guard catalyst. If an increased product volume was

required, two tubing bombs were charged and run simultaneously. The reactor contents were purged

with hydrogen and then pressurized. Hydrogen pressures were varied between 50 psig and 1250 psig.

In some cases, nitrogen gas was used to provide an inert atmosphere. Reaction temperatures were

varied between 200 °C and 400 °C.

The procedure for carrying out the reaction after charging the reactor was the same as that

described for the DAP reactions. At the end of the reaction, the tubing bomb was cooled and the

product gases were released. The product was filtered and analyzed for ash and sulfated ash as needed.

224
Cap

Bonnet

Swagelok Fine Metering Valve Body

1/4" Plug

1/4" OD SS Tubing

Swagelok Reducer (1/2" to 1/4")

. Swagelok Reducing Union (3/4" to 1/2" )

3/4" OD 316 SS Tube, 8" long

Swagelok Cap (3/4")

Figure 2. Microreactor used for hydrogenation studies

t

FLUIDIZED SAND BATH

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER

Figure 3. Reaction system employed in hydrogen and

demetall ization studies

225
3. Kinetic Modeling

n

For simplicity of treatment it was assumed that all metallic components within waste oils react with DAP in the same manner as does lead oxide. Thus, the ash content of the waste oils was hypothetical ly attributed to lead oxide. Based on the stoichiometry of the reaction between lead

oxide and DAP, a kinetic model for demetall ization of waste oil was proposed and tested. The

stoichiometric equation is a follows:

2(NH

4

) 2 HP0

4

+ 3PbO + -* 4NH

40H + Pb

3 (P04

) 2

The following kinetic models were proposed:

3.1. Pseudo First Order Reaction

The rate of decrease in ash content can be represented as follows:

-dC,

'A A dt 1 A B

kn C fl C D (1)

where, = weight % ash

Cg = DAP concentration (wt%)

dcA

rA

=

dt- = rate °^ disappearance of ash with respect to time (%/min)

Assuming that DAP is present in enough excess that its concentration remains virtually constant

during the reaction, equation (1) can be rewritten as, ^A

dt "

k l

CAC B0 ~ k

l

CA

(2)

where

,

CgQ = initial DAP concentration (wt %)

kK

1 = k C

l

K

1

L B0

Rearranging equation (2) and integrating,

dC = - ki dt

LA

1

ln(C

A

/CAQ ) = - k xt (3)

A plot of lnCC^/C^g) versus t should yield a straight line with a slope of -k^.

3.2. Pseudo Second Order Reaction

The rate of decrease in ash content is,

dC

A _ 2 2 ~ rA " " dF " k2 CA

C B0 (41)

Provided DAP is in excess and its concentration remains approximately constant during the reaction,

-r

A =k2 c2 (4.2)

where

,

2

k

1 = k C

2 2 BO

226
Combining equations 4.1 and 4.2, and integrating,

Combining equations 4.1 and 4.2, and integrating,

dC

-5s - - k' dt

c

and,

1 1 = k't (5)

LAL A0 c

A plot of versus t should yield a straight line with a slope of k' and an intercept of \/Z^.

Since the re-refining unit in the Auburn area incorporates a reactor configuration that closely

approximates a constant stirred tank reactor (c.s.t.r.) (fig. 4) this reactor configuration will be

discussed here. For a c.s.t.r. reactor a material balance on ash yields,

Input-output-depletion (due to reaction) = 0

Q CA0 " ^ CAf " V <" rA> =

° (6)

where

,

Figure 4. Constant stirred tank reactor configuration

^AO

= initia ^ asn wel 9ht %

C^

f = final ash weight %

Q = flow-rate of input and product streams (gal/min.)

V = reactor volume (gal.)

dC

-r. = - = rate of disappearance of ash

A dt

For the pseudo first order case, substituting eq. 2 in eq. 4,

227
Q CAO " ^ CAf " V <4CAf>

= 0

V

(C A0 " CAf } = ki

CAf

^

Defining the residence time within the reactor as t = V/Q (min.) and substituting we have,

k'C C -C

1 _ *r*Af °A0

u Af

7

- r—-T or T = "T7? (8) 1 LA0 Af

KluAf

Similarly for the Pseudo second order case,

k ' C

Thus, if is fixed and k^ is evaluated experimentally, the value of t can be easily determined.

From Arrhenius' law it is known that the rate constant of a reaction is related to the reaction

temperature as follows:

k = k0 e" E/RT

(10)

or,

where

In k = In k

Q + |y (11)

kQ = frequency factor (same units as k)

E = activation energy (cal./g mole)

T = reaction temperature (°K)

It is known that for the first order model,

Substituting equation (10) above,

klk lC B0

4 = k10 8_E/RT

C B0 (12a)

therefore - In k^ = - In C<10

C B0 ) + |j (12b)

Thus, a plot of - In k[ versus 1/T should result in a straight line with a slope of E/R and an intercept of -In ( ^lO^BO^

4. Results and Discussion

4. 1. DAP Treatment

It was found that different batches of oil exhibit varying kinetic behavior. Certain batches

of waste oil showed first or second order kinetics whereas others did not conform to any simple

reaction order. Unless otherwise specified, three times the required stoichiometric amount of DAP was used in all the reactions. This was done to provide a safety factor for demetal 1 i zati on at the

Auburn re-refinery and hence was extended to laboratory studies for consistency. DAP concentration

is accounted for in the theoretical treatment.

228
4.1.1. First Order Reaction

The first order plots at different reaction temperatures are shown in figure 5 for one batch of

oil investigated. The original ash content was 1.192 percent. Reaction temperatures were 300 °F,

315 °F, 330 °F, 360 °F and 390 °F. Three times the required stoichiometric amount of DAP (1.83%)

was used in these reactions. As can be seen, the data fits first order kinetics very well although

the behavior at 330 °F was unexpected.

Figure 6 depicts the corresponding Arrhenius plot for the reactions discussed above. A least

squares regression technique was used to fit these data points. From this method the slope and

intercept of the line were found to be 4320.26 and -5.935 respectively. The values of k' obtained

from the slopes of the plots in figure 5 are tabulated in table 1. These values are compared to values obtained from least squares regression. Standard deviations and variances are also listed.

Table 1. Values of k' determined from slopes of

batch 1 compared to results calculated

first order plots

from least squares

for waste oil

regression

T(°F)

From Slopes

k' (min

_1

) Least Squares

k' (min 1

) Standard

Devi at i on Variance

300 0.0147 .0135 . 0012 1.4xl0~

6

315 0.0179 .0165 .0014 2 x 10" 6

330 0.0171 .0199 .0028 7.8xl0"

6

360 0.0276 .0285 .0009 8 x 10" 7

390 0.0436 .0400 .0036 1.3xl0"

5

24.00 48.00 72.00 96.00 120.00 REACTION TIME (MINUTES)

Figure 5. -LN (CA/CA0)

Waste Oil Batch #1

CAO = 1.192 Wt. % ASH

CBO = 1.83 Wt. % DAP Agitation Speed = 850

versus time for various reaction temperatures

RPM

229
From equation (12),

and - ln(k

1Q

C B0 )

k 10C B0

'BO

|

= 4320.26; E = 8600 calories/g mole

-5.93496

378.02

1.83%

k1Q = 378.02/1.83 = 206.57 (min" 1

)

20.00 20.80 2 1.60 22.40 23.20 24.00 1/T (°K)"' x104

Figure 6. -LN (K') versus 1/T: Arrhenius plot for waste oil

batch #1 (first order kinetics)

Substituting the above results in equation (12a),

k^ = 206.57 CBQ

e

For first order reaction in a c.s.t.r. reactor,

4320/T+273

(A)

T =

CL C A0 - ^Af

k

1 K Cl

LAf

(8)

The value of must be fixed at the desired value of weight percent ash. In this case, =0.1%

C

ft Q = 1.192% (from experiment)

The required residence time for a given reaction temperature can easily be determined from equation

(A) and equation (8). For example, if it is desired to know the required residence time at a reaction temperature of 400 °F and a DAP concentration of three times the required stoichiometric

amount (1.83%) it can be done as follows:

230
T = 400 °F = 204.44 °C

CB0

=1.83%

Substituting in equation (A),

4=206.57 (1.83) e -4320/(204. 44+273)

= 0.044 min." 1

Substituting in equation (8), _ 1.192 - 0.1

1 (0.044)(0.1)

= 248.18 min. =4.1 hours

Since the value of 4.1 hours is too high it must be reduced by increasing the temperature and/or DAP concentration. If the maximum allowable residence time is 60 minutes the required temperature at £ DAP concentration of 1.83 percent and conversely the required DAP concentration at a temperature of, say, 400 °F are easily calculable as follows:

a) CB0 = 1.83%, t = 60 min.

From equation (8), k' =

CL - C A0 LAf

1

* CAf

ki =

1 (60)(0.y

= 0 - 182 min_1

Substituting in equation (A),

0.182 = 206.57 (1.83) e

- 432°/T+273

T = 293 °C = 559 °F

b) T = 400 °F = 204.44 °C, t = 60 min.

k| = 0.182 min" 1

Substituting in equation (A),

0.182 = 206.57 (C^) ^320/(204.44+273)

therefore C g0 = 7.5%

A range of values of C^q and T required to yield 0.1 percent final ash at a residence time of 60 min., for a c.s.t.r. reactor, are tabulated in table 2. These values are compared to similar

results obtained for the second batch of waste oil. The final decision as to what values should be

used depends on economic considerations.

4.1.2. Second Order Reaction

A second batch of oil (1.495% original ash percent) that was studied was found to exhibit

second order kinetics. The second order plots for reactions at 330 °F, 360 °F and 380 °F are shown

in figure 7. Three times the required stoichiometric amount of DAP (1.69 weight percent) was used. The corresponding Arrhenius plot is shown in figure 8. Using least squares regression, the values of

the slope and intercept were found to be 15686.70 and -31.791 respectively. Table 3 depicts values

of k' calculated from the slopes of the plots in figure 7. These values are compared to those

calculated from the least squares technique and standard deviations and variances are listed.

|

= 15687, E = 31170 cal/g mole

231
•ln(k

20

Cg

0

) = -31.791

k20C B0 = 6 - 407 X 10 "

k2 =k

20

CB0e" E/RT

= 6.407 xl013

e- 15687/T

Table 2. Reaction temperature versus initial DAP concentration

requi red to yield a final ash content of 0. 1% for waste oil

batches 1 and 2, using a residence time of 60 minutes in a c.s.t.r. reactor

Batch 1 Batch 2 1st Order 2nd Order

Kinetics (C

ft0=1.192%) Mnencs

A0~~ T(°F) C BQ (% DAP) C B0 (% DAP)

560 1.811 0.331

530 2.282 0.507

500 2.917 0.792

470 3.790 1.274

440 5.010 2.114

410 6.751 3.634

380 9.294 6.493

350 13.102 12.110

Table 3. Values of k' determined from slopes of second order plots for waste

oil batch 2 compared to results calculated from least squares regression.

T (°F) From Slopesk' (min" 1 ) Least Squaresk

1 (min" 1

) Standard

Deviation Variance

300 0.0171 0.0188 .0017 2.90xl0

-6

330 0.0820 0.0659 .0161 2.59xl0"

4

360 0.1490 0.1690 .0200 4.00xl0" 4

232
330(F) O 360(F) * 380(F)

0.00 15.00 30.00 45.00 60.00 75.00 REACTION TIME (MINUTES)

Figure 7. 1/CA versus time for various reaction temperatures

Waste Oil Batch #2

CAO = 1.495 Wt. % ASH

CBO = 1.495 Wt. % DAP Agitation Speed = 850 RPM

5.00

4 50

1.50 I 1 i 1 1 1 20.00 20.80 2 1.60 22.40 23.20 24.00 1/T CK)'

1 x10*

Figure 8. -LN (K 1 ) versus 1/T: Arrhenius plot for waste oil

batch #2 (second order kinetics)

233
For c.s.t.r. reactors,

C - C AO Af From equation (8), x = - k'C

2

K

2 UAf

If t is fixed at 60 min & C Dri = 1.69%

BU

k

, _ 1.495 - 0.1 _

2 325 (%/min)

(O.ir (60)

So to achieve a final ash content of 0.1 percent under these conditions the temperature

must be as follows:

k2 = 2.325 = 6.407 x 10 13 ^687/1+273

T = 233.89 °C = 453.01 °F

Conversely, if x is fixed at 60 min and T = 400 °F,

< C

2 k^cL = 6.407 x 1013

k2Q (1.69)

2 = 6.407 x 1013

k„„ = 2.243 x 10

13

20

ki = 2.325 = (2.243 x 10

13

) cL ^687/(204.44+273)

'BO

C B0

= 4.390 %

Thus, in order to have a residence time of 60 minutes at a temperature of 400 °F, C Dn must be 4.39 percent in order to yield a final ash percent of 0.1. A range of values of T and CgQ required to yield an ash value of 0.1 percent at a residence time of 60 minutes are tabulated in table 2. Comparison is made to similar values obtained for the first batch

of oil. From the proposed kinetic model it is known that for pseudo second order kinetics,

k

1 = kC

2

K KL B0

2 Figure 9 shows a plot of k versus Cgg. These results were obtained experimentally by

varying C^ at a fixed reaction temperature of 380 °F. The values of k

1 were obtained

from the slopes of the plots of versus t for each value of C^g. As can be seen, the relationship between k' and C 2q

is linear, thus verifying the proposed kinetic model.

Table 4 shows the response of a third batch of oil to DAP treatment at 330 °F and

360 °F. In each case the ash content drops substantially within 15 minutes of reaction

time beyond which there is no significant change. Due to the inherent complexity of

kinetic behavior in this case no attempt at characterization has yet been made. However,

detailed investigation will be pursued in the future.

4.2. Hydrogenation Studies

Although hydrogenation studies at Auburn are still in the preliminary stages some interesting results have been obtained thus far. A fourth batch of waste oil (0.88% ash) was used for hydrogenation studies. Unless otherwise specified, the agitation speed was maintained at 850 r.p.m. in all cases. Shown in figure 10 are the results of studies

conducted at 600 psig hydrogen partial pressure and various reaction temperatures. The

reaction time was held constant at 15 minutes. A high hydrogenation activity catalyst

(Catalyst 1) was used. The weight of catalyst used was 10 percent of the weight of oil

charged into the reactor. The plot of weight percent ash versus reaction temperature

indicates that there is a steady decline in ash content with increase in reaction temperature.

Thus, complete demetall ization can be achieved above a reaction temperature of 360 °C with a hydrogen partial pressure of 600 psig and a reaction time of 15 minutes.

234
Figure 11 shows a plot of kinematic viscosity (centi stokes) versus reaction temperature for the reactions discussed above. As expected, the viscosities decreased with

increase in reaction temperature. In order to study the effect of hydrogen partial

pressure on viscosity, a series of reactions were carried out at 400 °C, a catalyst

loading of 10 percent by weight and a reaction time of 15 minutes. Catalyst 1 was used

and hydrogen partial pressures were varied between 0 and 600 psig. The plot of viscosity

versus hydrogen partial pressure is presented in figure 12. Contrary to what was expected, the

viscosities were observed to increase with increase in hydrogen partial pressure. This

effect is not presently understood but will be further studied in the future.

4 05

3.90

3.75

O

x

>- 3.45 - z

* 3.30

3.15

3.00 1 '

'

'

' ' 0.00 2.50 5.00 7.50 10.00 12.50 (C BO)

2 (%)'

Figure 9. K' versus (CBO) 2

: test of a linear relationship between K' and

(CBO) 2 for waste oil batch #2, CAO = 1.495 weight % ASH

1.05

0.90

200.00 240.00 280.00 320.00 360.00 400.00 REACTION TEMPERATURE (C)

Figure 10. Weight % ASH versus reaction temperature. Reaction conditions:

600 psig H2 pressure, 10 wt. % catalyst loading, 15 min. , 850 rpm;

original ash = 0.88 %

235
Table 4. Sulfated ash versus reaction time at 330 °F and 360 °F for waste oil batch 3. CA0 = Kf

A. 330 °F

CAQ = 1.608% (Sulfated ash); C BQ = 1.81% DAP; Agitation Speed = 850 r.p.m.

B 360 °F

t (min)

0

15

30

45

60

t (min)

0

15

30

45

60

^A (% Sulfated Ash)

1.608

0.337

0.356

0.388

0.341

'A (% Sulfated Ash)

1.608 •

0.153

0.099

0.163

0.151

32000 340.00 360.00 380.00 400.00 420.00 REACTION TEMPERATURE (C)

Figure 11. Viscosity versus reaction temperature. Reaction conditions:

600 psig H2 pressure, 10 Wt. % catalyst loading, 15 minutes, 850 rpm, original ash = 0.88 Wt. %.

236
For the purpose of studying the demetal 1 ization ability of Catalyst 1 in the

absence of hydrogen, it was decided to carry out reactions at various temperatures without

the use of hydrogen. The atmosphere within the reactor was kept inert with the use of 50 psig

nitrogen pressure. As before, the catalyst loading was 10 percent by weight and the

reaction time was 15 minutes. The results which are plotted in figure 13 indicate a decrease in ash content with increase in temperature.

Table 5 depicts the results of hydrogenati on of waste oil batch four at 400 °C and

600 psig hydrogen pressure using three different catalysts. Catalyst 1 and Catalyst 2 are both high hydrogenation activity catalysts. Catalyst 3 is inert. In all three cases

the ash content was reduced to 0 percent for a reaction time of 15 minutes.

60 00 •

50.00 - o

>. 30.00 "

o

<J 20.00 - >

10.00 -

0.00 I 1- —I .—I 1 1 0.00 120.00 240.00 360.00 480.00 600.00 HYDROGEN PARTIAL PRESSURE (PSIG)

Figure 12. Viscosity versus hydrogen partial pressure. Reaction conditions: reaction

temperature = 400 (C), 850 rpm, 15 min. , 10 wt. % catalysts loading. Original ash

content = 0.88 % by weight.

4.3. Thermal Demetal 1 ization

The results of the hydrogen studies alluded to the possibility of removing metals

from waste oil by simply heating the oil. This led to the brief investigation of the

effect of heat on demetal 1 ization. The results presented in table 6 show that at 400 °C

it is possible to demetallize waste oils completely without the use of any catalyst.

However, this presents the problem of coking which is known to occur above 650 °F (344 °C) (13).

It can be seen from table 6 that at lower temperatures partial demetall ization can

be achieved. Future studies will incorporate a systematic study of the effect of

temperature on demetal 1 i zati on. An investigation into the mechanism of thermal demetal

lization will also be carried out.

Table 5. Weight percent ash versus catalyst type for reaction at 400 °C, 600 psig partial

pressure and 15 minutes of reaction time

% Ash

0

0

0

Catalyst

Cat. 1

Cat. 2

Cat. 3

237
,_ 0.45 I

Lll ^ 0.30 <

(J

i i i r

200.00 240.00 280.00 320.00 360.00 400.00 REACTION TEMPERATURE (C)

Figure 13. Weight % ash versus reaction temperature. Reaction conditions

50 psig N2 partial pressure, 15 minutes, 10 Wt. % catalyst loading,

850 rpm original ash content = 0.88 % by weight.

Table 6. Results for thermal demetal 1 ization studies

(166 °C) 330 °F, t = 15 min.

Batch of Original

Waste Oil Ash (wt. %)

1 1.192

5 0.450

(183 °C) 360 °F, t = 15 min.

Batch of Original

Waste Oil Ash (wt. %)

1 1.192

5 0.450

400°C (752°F), t = 15 min., 50 psig N„ pressure

Final

Ash (wt. %)

1.110

0.266

Final

Ash (wt. %)

0.801

0.156

Batch of

Waste Oil

Original

Ash (wt. %)

Final

Ash (wt. %)

1.192

238
5. Conclusions

1) It is possible to characterize certain waste oils and predict operating parameters

for their treatment based on kinetic behavior. The major problem associated with this is that different oils exhibit varying kinetic behavior. Further studies should be conducted

in this area.

2) The possibility of hydrogenation accompanied by demetall i zation in one step may

be economically beneficial and should be investigated.

3) Although the sole use of thermal demetall ization is not practical, the coupling of

this method with some other effective means of demetall i zati on may reduce operating costs considerably.

6. References

[I] Levenspiel , 0. Chemical reaction engineering. 2nd edition. New York: John Wiley

and Sons; 19.

[2] Georgi , C. W. Motor oils and engine lubrication. 1st edition. New York: Reinhold

Publishing Corporation; 1951.

[3] Hsu, S. M. ; Becker, D. A. Status report on the characterization of re-refined

lubricating base oils. SAE Technical Paper number, 801382; Society of Automotive

Engineers; Warrendale, Pennsylvania; 1980.

[4] Comeford, J. J. Test procedures for recycled oil used as burner fuel. Proceedings

of measurements and standards for recycled oil-II; 1977 November 29-30. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 556; 1979 September; 87-92.

[5] Linnard, R. E. ; Phillips recycled oil program. Proceedings of measurements and standards for

recycled oil-II; 1977 November 29-30. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 556; 1979 September;

133-137.

[6] Hess, L. Y. Reprocessing and disposal of waste petroleum oils. New Jersey: Noyes Data Corporation; 1979.

[7] Becker, D. A.; Comeford, J. J. Recycled oil program: Phase I - Test Procedures for

Recycled Oil Used as Burner Fuel. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Tech. Note 1130; 1980,

Washington.

[8] Whisman, M. L. ; Cotton, F. 0.; Geotzinger, J. W. ; Reynolds, J. W. Waste lubricating oil research: characterization of basestocks from used lubricating oils, part 1. ERDA BERC/RI-75/3; 1975.

[9] Whisman, M. L. ; Cotton, F. 0.; Goetzinger, J. W. Waste lubricating oil research:

goegraphical and seasonal variations in used lubricating oil basestock composition,

part 2. ERDA BERC/RI-75/11, 1975.

[10] Whisman, M. L. ; Cotton, F. 0.; Goetzinger, J. W. ; Reynolds, J. W. Waste lubricating

oil research: characterization of basestocks from used lubricating oils, part 3. ERDA BERC/RI-76/3; 1975.

[II] Whisman, M. L. ; Cotton, F. 0.; Goetzinger, J. W. ; Reynolds, J. W. Waste lubricating

oil research: a summary of composition variations among 30 used lubricating oils

selected for seasonal and geographical significance. ERDA BERC/RI-76/4 , 1976.

[12] Cotton, F. 0.; Whisman, M. L. ; Goetzinger, J. W. ; Reynolds, J. W. Waste lubricating

oil research: a comprehensive characterization of five typical re-refinary feedstocks,

part 5. ERDA BERC/RI-77/3 ; 1977.

[13] Steele, G. L. ; Brinkman, D. W. ; Whisman, M. L. Predictive test method for coking

and fouling tendency of used lubricating oil. ERDA BERC/RI-79/7 ; 1979.

239

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982.

(Issued July 1984).

RE-REFINED LUBRICATING BASE OIL CHARACTERIZATION

USING LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES

P. Pei and S. M. Hsu

Tribochemi stry Group

Materials Chemistry Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D.C. 20234

A separation scheme to characterize lubricating base oils in terms of molecular

compound classes has been developed with the purpose of isolating and analyzing

impurities in a re-refined base oil. The lubricating base oil is first separated

into three major f racti ons--saturates , aromatics, and polars —using clay-gel liquid

chromatography.

The polars fraction is separated further into chemical compound classes having

different polarities and functional structures. Analytical methods such as infrared

and mass spectroscopy were used to elucidate the functional structures of the major

fractions and compound classes in the polars subtractions.

The saturate fraction consists mainly of paraffinic and cyclic paraffinic

compounds. The aromatic fraction is composed of mono-, di-, and tri-aromatic

compounds. Both poly-nuclear aromatic compounds and hydrocarbons with heteroatoms

such as sulfur, halogen, and oxygen are present in the polar fraction.

The effects on performance of different molecular compound classes in each

major fraction of a typical re-refined base oil are evaluated with respect to oxidation stability and wear. Among the three major f ractions--saturates

aromatics and polars--the polar fraction has the largest effects on both of

these two performance aspects. Of the compound classes in the polar

subtractions, the amine and phenol types of compounds have the highest antioxidant capacity values, in comparison to other classes.

1. Introduction

A re-refined lubricating base oil can be defined as the base oil derived from used oil via a re-refining process which is designed to remove all or most of the contaminants in the used oil, such

as oxidized products, additives, sludge, water, wear metals, etc.

One of the most important concerns with respect to the quality of a re-refined base oil is the amount and the chemical forms of contaminants/impurities remaining in the base oil after the

re-refining process. Theoretically possible contaminants such as sulfur compounds (from sulfurized

cutting oils), fatty acids or esters (from greases), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) (from

electrical transformer oils), or oxidized resins (from previous use) all suggest possible impact on

oil performance.

To ensure consistency and good quality, it is important to devise a method to separate,

isolate, and concentrate these contaminants. Having done so, the effects of these "contaminants/

impurities" on the performance of a lubricating base oil can then be measured and assessed.

Before the start of any isolation of the contaminants in a re-refined base oil, the composition

of the oil itself needs to be understood. A lubricating base oil is a complex hydrocarbon mixture

of C18 to C40. One general method used to characterize such mixtures is "Hydrocarbon Type

Analysis 1 ^].] 1

. In a hydrocarbon type analysis, the mixture is separated into paraffins, cycloparaffins, aromatics and hetroatom compounds. The general method available for such a hydrocarbon

type analysis is chromatography [1].

1 Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

241
A clay-gel chromatographic method has been found to be a good method for hydrocarbon type

analysis of lubricating base oils [2]. In the method, which is a modification of ASTM D2007, the

base oil is separated into three fractions. They are: (1) the saturate fraction (paraffins and

cycl oparaf f i ns) , eluted with a non-polar solvent (pentane); (2) the aromatic fraction, recovered

from the adsorbent by elution with an aromatic solvent such as toluene; and (3) the polar fraction,

which contains the compounds that have the strongest surface affinity. Since these latter compounds

have the strongest adsorption characteristics, a polar solvent such as an acetone/toluene mixture

is needed to remove them from the column.

A set of seventeen re-refined and seven vi of the seventeen base o are listed in table 2. percentage range of sat virgin and re-refined o polar compounds between

polar compounds is sign

is believed that most o in the polar fraction,

fraction, but also it i fraction itself.

virgin and re- rgin base oils,

ils. The compo

These results

urates (62.9-85

ils in this set re-refined and

ificantly highe

f the remaining

Therefore, not

s important to

refined base oils was analysed [2], which includes ten Table 1 lists the crude source and processing technologies

site average results of the modified ASTM D2007 procedure

show that there is no significant difference in the weight

.2 vs 72.5-78.0) and aromatics (14.5-35.4 vs 20.0.24.1) between

There is a significant difference in the weight percent of

virgin base oils. In re-refined base oils, the amount of

r than that of virgin base oils. Based on these results, it

contaminants in a re-refined base oil are probably concentrate

only is it important to have a method to isolate the polar

have a method to further separate and characterize the polar

Table 1. Crude source and processing technologies of the seventeen base oil set

Oil ID

VA

VB

vc

VD

V'E

VF

VG

RA

RB

RC

RD

RE

Viscosity Grade

150N

600N

50:50

150N/600N

210N

270N

210N

HON

200N

250N

350N

300N

400N

RF 350N

RG 300N

RH 250N

RI 350N

RJ 200N

V = virgin oils

R = re- refined oils

Processing Technology

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Pretreat/Vac. dist./

Clay finish

Clay treat

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Caustic Pretreat/

Vac. dist.

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Acid/Clay

Crude Source

Geographical Area

Mid-East

Mid-East

Canada

Mid-continent

Mid-East

Mid-continent

Mid-continent

Mid-West (US)

Southwest

Southeast

West Coast

Northeast

South

Northwest

Canada

West Coast

Northeast

242
Table 2. Hydrocarbon type analysis of the seventeen base oils by ASTM D2007 (percent)

7 Virgin Base Oils 10 Re-refined Base Oils

Range Composite Average Range Composite Average

Saturates 62. 9

- 85. 2 76. 8 72. 5

- 78. 0 76. 1

Aromatics 14. 5

- 35. 4 22. 6 20. 0

- 24. 1 21. 8

Polars 0. 3 1. 7 0. 6 1. 4

-

• 3. 4 2. 2

As shown by the hydrocarbon type separation, the polar compounds in a lubricating base oil are present at a relatively low concentration level. The major difficulty encountered with the use of

the ASTM D2007 method is the limitation on sample-loading capactities, which has a maximum of

approximately 10 gm [3]. This means that only milligram quantities of the polar compounds can be

obtained with each run, an amount that is not sufficient for further separations or performance

testing.

Furthermore, the ASTM D2007 method, as given, does not provide for the separation of the polars

fraction into compound classes. Therefore, a new separation scheme was needed to: (1) produce

multigram quantities of the polar fraction; and (2) to separate the polar fraction into compound

cl asses.

2. Experimental

2.1. Re-refined Lubricating Base Oil Sample

One re-refined base oil sample, RC, was chosen for a more detailed study. Its chemical

properties are close to mid-range of the properties of the composite average of a set of 10 re- refined base oils, a set which represents the output of a cross-section of re-refining processes

available at the time of sampling [4]. Table 3 lists the properties of RC in comparison to the

range of re-refined base oils in the set.

2.2. Chemicals and Instrumentation

All solvents were glass-distilled solvents of HPLC grade, and were used as received. The

attapulgus clay adsorbent conforms to the ATM D2007 clay specifications. The silica gel used was Davidson's silica gel 621 (60/200 mesh). Both neutral and basic alumina adsorbents was obtained

from the Fisher Scientific Corp. (Brockman Activity 1, 80/200 mesh).

The preparative high performance liquid chromatographic unit used was a Waters' Associates

Prep 500A with dual, radially-compressed polyethylene columns [5]. Columns were packed at NBS.

A glass column was used for the separation of the polar fraction into subf ractions , as described below.

2.3. Column Packing and Chromatographic Procedures

2.3.1. Preparative HPLC Column

Columns were dry packed using a "fill and tap" procedure described eailier [6]. The

chromatographic procedure described in reference 6 was used to produce the three major fractions:

saturates, aromatics and polars.

2.3.2. Glass columns for Polar Fraction

A 45 cm long by 1 cm i.d. glass column having a 100 ml reservoir was used for the separation of

the polar fraction. The column has a tapered-end tip. The other end of the column is fitted with

a 100 ml reservoir, on top of which is a ground-glass socket so that 0.13 MPa (4 psig) of back

pressure can be supplied to the column. A glass wool plug is placed at the bottom of the column.

Another glass plug is placed on the top of the packed adsorbent to protect it from disturbances when

eluting solvents are added. Twenty-five grams of neutral alumina adsorbent are added to the column

in small increments, and the column is packed uniformly with the aid of a vibrator.

243
Table 3. Comparison of chemical properties of re-refined base oil RC with the re-refined base oil set (percent)

Moisture (ppm)

Total Acid Number

(mgKOH/g)

Total Base Number

(mgKOH/g)

Saponification

Number

Chlorine (ppm)

Bromine (ppm)

Sulfur (wt%)

Sulfated Ash

(wt%)

Carbon Residue

(wt%)

Total Nitrogen

(ppm)

Basic Nitrogen

(ppm)

Elemental Analysis

(wt%)

CH

Range

40 - 219

0.076 - 1.69

0.001 - 0.04

0 - 0.7

6.6 - 1140

0.15 - 13.9

0.12 - 0.25

0.0005 - 0.0144

0.12 - 0.27

9 - 47

0.4 14.7

Composite Average

92

0.367

0.009

0.817

231

5.8

0.18

0.0043

0.2

21

RC

85.2 - 86.6

13.1 - 13.8

86.3

13.4

87

0.18

0.006

0.65

190

1.2

0.18

0.0067

0.26

18

1.1

86. 3 13.4

A set of 10 re-refined base oils from different locations and processing technologies.

Approximately 1 gram of the polar fraction was dissolved in 50 ml n-hexane. The solution was then charged onto the alumina in the glass column. The following step-gradient elution scheme was used to elute the polar subfractions according to their polarities: 125 ml n-hexane, 100 ml toluene, 200 ml chloroform with 0.75 percent ethanol , 200 ml of 10 percent ethanol in tetrahydrofuran, and 200 ml methanol. Five subfractions were obtained. However, the first subfraction

contains only a negligible amount of saturates, and the last two subfractions were combined. As a result, three subfractions in total were collected and studied.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Separation Scheme

After considerable work, the final separation obtained is shown in figure 1. The process has

three steps: the base oils are first separated on a clay column, generating a saturate/aromatic

hydrocarbon fraction and a polar fraction. The saturate/aromatic hydrocarbon fraction is then

separated into a saturate fraction and an aromatic fraction on a dual packed, alumina/silica gel

column. The polar fraction is separated further on a neutral alumina adsorbent to obtain subfractions containing polynuclear aromatic compounds, nitrogen containing compounds, and oxygenated

compounds. The three steps provided the flexibility necessary to optimize the separation of the base

oils and the isolation of the contaminants.

244
.Polar Neut.

A 1 urni n.j

|

.

Nitrogen

C ompounds

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 _ Oxygenated

Compounds

Figure 1. Separation scheme of the re-refined lubricating base oil.

Each major fraction and compound class is characterized chemically by analytical methods such

as IR, mass spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and C13 NMR. Besides analytical method

characterization, performance evaluation tests were performed on these fractions and compound

classes. They included antioxidant capacity titration and differential scanning calorimetry to determine oxidation stability of the fractions, and micro-sample step loading seizure wear tests to determine the wear characteristics under boundary lubricating conditions.

The mass balance and precision achieved with the preparative HPLC method is good. For oil RC,

the mass balance is better than 99 percent by weight, for duplicate runs on the clay column

separation, and 98 percent for the dual, alumina/silica gel column separation. Results obtained

from the preparative LC method for the three major structural types agree well with those obtained

with the ASTM D2007 method. For oil RC, the agreement is as follows: saturates, 76.4 percent vs 75.3 percent; aromatics, 21.5 percent vs 22.5 percent; and polars, 2.0 percent vs 2.2 percent.

Several analytical tests were performed to characterize these fractions. The techniques

included refractive index, infrared spectrascopy , carbon 13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry

(C 13 NMR), mass spectroscopy (both high and low resolution), gas chromatography, boiling point

distribution, and gel permeation chromatography.

The refractive index values of the saturate and aromatic fractions of oil RC were measured;

however, the dark color of the polar fraction and subfractions prevented the accurate determination

of refractive index for these samples. The refractive indices of the saturate fraction is 1.4738,

distinctly lower than the value of 1.5209 for the aromatic fraction. Since the refractive index

reflects the aromaticity of oils, the saturate fraction appears to be relatively free of aromatic

hydrocarbons.

The IR spectra of the fractions of oil RC are shown in figure 2. Figure 2a shows the spectrogram for the saturate fraction. The aliphatic band at 720 cm- 1 is present but the aromatics band at 1600 cm- 1 is absent. In figure 2b, the spectrogram for the aromatic fraction, the aromatic band at 1600 cm- 1 is present. These spectra support our conclusion that the saturate and aromatic fractions

are reasonably well separated from the other. The C=0 band at 1700 cm- 1 and the OH-band at 3200

cm- 1 are missing in both the saturate and aromatic spectra (fig. 2a and 2b), but are present in the polar fraction spectrogram (fig. 2c). Thus, the IR spectra indicate that most of the

oxygenated compounds--such as esters, acids, ketones —are concentrated in the polar fraction, as would be expected.

3.2. Chemical Characterization of Major Fractions

3.2.1. Refractive Index

3.2.2. Infrared Spectroscopy

245
1R SPECTRA OF FRACTTOI.S

a Saturates

Figure 2. IR spectra of the re-refined base oil RC fractions: a) saturates b) aromatics c) polars.

3.2.3. C 13 NMR

C 13 NMR results of the RC fractions are shown in figure 3. The absence of an aromatic C 13 signal in the saturate fraction is a good indication of its purity. The integral ratio of linear

carbon to the total carbon is 0.23 in the saturate fraction. A majority of the saturate fraction

thus appears to be cycloparaffin. The ratio of aromatic carbon to aliphatic carbon is 0.27 in the

aromatic fraction, an indication that large numbers of paraffin and cycloparaffin side chains are attached to the aromatic ring compounds. The ratio of aromatic carbon to aliphatic carbon in the

polar fraction is 0.18. The extra peak at 59 ppm in the aromatic and polar fractions is probably

due to the presence of a viscosity index improver, polysobutylene, which was not removed completely

during the re-refining process. It is of interest to note that the preparative HPLC separation of

the base oil concentrated most of the polyisobutylene in the polar fraction, so that its presence

albeit low—was easily detected.

3.2.4. Mass Spectroscopy

The saturate fraction was examined by low resolution mass spectroscopy to determine its

aromatic content. The values found are listed in table 4. The values found—approximately 2 percent—are considered normal for a saturate fraction.

High resolution mass spectroscopy was also performed on the polar fraction of sample RC in order to determine its major components. The fraction was found to be a very complex mixture

consisting primarily of hydrocarbons, with possibly some alkylated phenols. At a probe temperature

of 100 °C, considerable residue remained, so that identification of components is likely incomplete.

3.2.5. Gel Permeation Chromatography

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used to determine the molecular weight profiles of the

fractions collected from the separations. The molecular weight calibration was done with polystyrene

246
standards. The distributions obtained for the fractions are shown in figure 4. The profile of the

aromatic fraction shows the presence of compounds having lower molecular weight than the compounds

in the saturate fraction. Moreover, the profile of the polar fraction is very broad, suggested that

the polar compounds contain both high and low molecular weight compounds from the base oil.

Table 4. Composition of the saturate fraction of RC re-refined base oil as measured by low resolution mass spectrometry

Paraffins

Naphthenes - 1-ring

- 2-ring

- 3-ring

- 4- ring

Aromatics

26.0

28.6

18.1

11.7

13.4

2.2

3.2.6. Simulated Boiling Point Distribution of the Aromatic and Saturate Fractions

The boiling point distillation values (ASTM D2887, modified) of the saturate and aromatic

fractions are listed in table 5, and are compared to the boiling point distillation of oil RC itself.

The initial boiling point of the aromatic fraction is much lower than that of the saturate,

indicating good agreement with the Gel Permeation Chromatographic (GPC) profile which showed the

lower molecular weight compounds to be in the aromatic fraction.

Figure 3. C 13 NMR of the Re-refined Base Oil RC Fractions: a) Saturates b) Aromatics c) Polars

247
3.3. Chemical Characterization of the Polar Subtractions

Three major polar compound classes resulted from the polar fraction separation of sample RC. They are the compound classes eluted from the neutral alumina column by: (1) toluene; (2) methylene

chloride with 0.75 percent ethanol ; and (3) a combined elution of tetrahydrof uran with 10 percent

ethanol , and methanol. These three compound-classes (or subfractions) are lableled: (1) polynuclear aromatic (PNA) compounds; (2) nitrogen containing compounds; and (3) oxygenated compounds.

J_ I I L

10 3 500 300 200 100 MOLECULAR WT.

Figure 4. GPC of the Re-refined Base Oil RC Fractions

Table 5. Boiling point distillation (D2887) of oil RC vs. its fractions (°C)

RC Fractions

Oil RC Saturates Aromatics

Boiling Point 307 313.2 278.5

10% 383 383.7 375.1

50% 455 454.8 457

90% 537 541.1 546.2

The normalized weight percent recovery for these three compound classes are listed in table 6. Sample RC has approximately the same weight fraction in the polynuclear aromatic and nitrogen

subfractions (~40 percent each) but less in the oxygenated subtraction (~20 percent). The elemental

analyses for oxygen and nitrogen in each compound class are listed in table 7. The amount of oxygen

present in the oxygenated compound class is as high as twenty-five percent, about twelve times higher

than the oxygen content in any of the other two compound classes. However, the nitrogen content is lower in the nitrogen-compound class than in PNA compound class, indicating possibly more polynuclear aromatic compounds containing nitrogen than other nitrogen compound types.

Table 6. Normalized weight percentage of polar subfractions from RC polar fraction

wt.%

Polynuclear Aromatic Subtraction

Nitrogen Containing Compound Subtraction

Oxygenated Compound Subtraction

38

41

21

248
Table 7. Elemental analyses of the polar subfractions for oil RC

Compound Subfraction Oxygen (%) Nitrogen (%)

Polynuclear Aromatic 2.19 0.11

Nitrogen Compounds 3.61 0.070

Oxygen Compounds 25.43 0.033

3.3.1. Infrared and High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

IR spectra of the RC polar compound classes are shown in figure 5. The OH/NH band at 3400

cm- 1 appears in the nitrogen and oxygenated compound classes (fig. 5b and 5c) but the C=0 band

(1700 cra-^is clearly the strongest in the PNA class (fig. 5a), and relatively weak in the other

two compound classes. But by elemental analysis, the oxygen content is the highest in the

oxygenated compounds class. This indicates clearly that two types of oxygen compounds are present

in polar fraction of oil RC. In the PNA and nitrogen compound subfractions, the oxygenated compounds

are possibly esters. The oxygenated compounds in the oxygen compound class appear to be phenols,

since the OH-band at 3200 cm- 1 (fig. 5c) is not broad.

By high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), the presence of alkylated phenols in the oxygenated

compound class is verified. Table 8 lists the chemical compound structure type detected by HRMS in each of the polar subfractions. Possible structures in the polynuclear aromatics subfraction include esters

and amides. In the nitrogen compound subfraction, amines and amides may be present in addition to esters. However, in the oxygenated compound subfraction, alkylated phenols appear to be dominent.

3.3.2. Molecular Weight Profiles of the Polar Subfractions

Gel permeation chromatography profiles on the polar subfractions are shown in figure 6. Both

the polynuclear aromatic and nitrogen containing compound subfractions have a similar molecular

weight distribution—in the 400 to 5000 molecular weight unit range. For the oxygenated compound

subfraction, there are two distinct molecular weight peaks: one at 120 to 3000 units, and the other

at less than 120 molecular weight units. The GPC results for the oxygenated compound subfraction

indicate two major types of compounds are present in the subfraction. Further characterization of

this subfraction is needed.

Table 8. Possible chemical functional structures in the RC polar subfractions

as determined by high resolution mass spectrometry

Compound Classes Subfraction

Polynuclear Aromatics

Nitrogen Compound Class

Oxygen Compound Class

Presence of

Possible Frunctional Groups

Ester

Phthalates

Amides

Esters

Amides

Ami nes

Alkylated Phenols

249
POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC COMPOUNDS

NITROGEN COMPOUNDS

OXYGENATED COMPOUNDS

3400 2600 1800 1000 600 WAVE NUMBER (cm" 1 )

Figure 5. IR Spectra of the Polar Subtractions of the Re-refined Base Oil RC.

GPCOF THE POLAR SUBFRACTION OF THE RE "REFINED BASE OIL

POLYNUCLEAR ARO. OXYGENATED COMPD

NITROGEN COMPDS.

3000 395 254 120 MOLECULAR WEIGHT

Figure 6. GPC of the Polar Subfractions of the Re-refined Base Oil RC.

3.4. Performance Testing of the Fractions

Performance testing of the oil RC and its fractions was made to gain insight regarding the

effects of the compounds present in each fraction on oil performance. The performance tests studied here are anti-oxidant titration [7], differential scanning calorimetry [8-11], and four-ball wear tests [14].

250
3.4.1. Anti-oxidant Titration

The anti-oxidant titration method used was developed by Mahoney and Korcek [7]. This method

determines the total effective concentration of free radical chain-stopping species present in a lubricating base oil. A virgin base oil's antioxidant capacity range is 1 to 10 x 10- 6 mole/g:

for re-refined base oil, the range is 5 to 13.2 x 10- 6 mole/g [4,8]. The anti-oxident values

for the fractions and polar subfractions of oil RC are listed in table 9. The unseparated

re-refined oil has an anti-oxidant capacity of 8.3 x 10- 6 mole/g. The polar fraction has a value

of 305 x 10- 6 mole/g. Thus, most of the chain-stopping (antioxidant) species are concentrated in the polars.

Table 9. Anti-oxidant titration values of the RC fractions

(10- 6 mole/g)

Whole Oil 8.3

Saturated 2

Aromatic 24

Polar 305

PNA

a 140

Polar Subfractions Nitrogen 350

Oxygen 250

a Polynuclear Aromatic (PNA)

Among the polar subfractions, the nitrogen-containing compound subfraction has the highest

antioxidant capacity value, at 350 x 10- 6 mole/g.

3.4.2. Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Thermal analysis is a method for the characterization of complex organic systems such as lubricating base oils [9,10]. Noel and Cranton were the first to use differential scanning

calorimetry to measure the oxidation stability of the saturate and aromatic fractions of a lubricating

base oil [11]. They reported that saturates are much less stable than the aromatic fractions.

Walker and Tsang performed a similar study on all three fractions: saturates, aromatics and

polars [12]. They also studied the interactions of each fraction with an additive package (which

included an anti-oxidant additive) to illustrate possible interactions between them, reporting

oxidation onset temperatures of each fraction with and without the additive package.

Oxidation onset temperatures are the temperatures at which oxidation occurs during a scanning

temperature programmed experiment on DSC. Table 10 lists the onset temperatures and figures 7-9 show

the DSC curves of the RC fractions with and without the additive package.

Table 10. DSC Onset temperature of the fractions of oil RC with and without

7% SE/CC additive package (by weight)

On-set Temperature

Without Additive With Additive

Saturate 202 °C 245 °C

Aromatic 283 °C 294 °C

Polar 265 °C 265 °C

251
The onset temperature of the saturate fraction without the additive package is 202 °C, which

is equivalent to the onset temperature of a mineral oil (204 °C). However, with the presence of 7 percent SE/CC additive package (by weight), the onset temperature is raised to 245 °C, suggesting

improved oxidation stability. This illustrates how effective an additive package can be to increase

the oxidative stability of a petroleum lubricating oil.

However, the aromatics fraction is much more stable than the saturates, and its onset tempera- ture is 283 °C without the additive package. With the same additive package (7 percent by weight),

the onset temperature is raised to 294 °C for the aromatics. This indicates the relative effectiveness of the additive package is less for the aromatic fraction as it only raises the onset tempera- ture by 10 °C instead by 43 °C, as in the case of the saturates.

The onset temperature of the polar fraction is 265 °C without the additive package, but the

onset temperature remains the same when the additive package is added. However, in this case, the

decomposition of the additive package is not observed. This may indicate that the polar fraction(s)

have reacted with components of the additive package rendering it ineffective.

Another DSC experiment was performed to illustrate the interaction between the polar compounds

and the additive components. Polars were added in various weight percentages —zero, one and five

percent—to samples of the saturate fraction containing 0.5 percent of the anti-oxidant zinc

dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP). The oxidation induction time was then measured by isothermal DSC,

the induction time being the period required for oxidation to occur at a certain temperature. Table

11 lists the induction times of the three samples, along with their composition. When the polar

components are absent in a sample, the induction time is 17.5 minutes. With the polars present at one percent and five percent, the induction time decreases to 10.3 minutes and 6.5 minutes,

respectively.

If the polars possess any anti-oxidati ve property, the induction time should increase as the

concentration of the polar fraction increases*. To the contrary, the induction time decreases.

Therefore, it is very likely that the polar fraction reduced the effectiveness of the anti-oxidant

ZDDP by reacting with it. These results are in agreement with a similar study reported by Hsu,

et. al. [13].

TEMPERATURE °C

Figure 7. Differential Scanning Calorimetric Thermogram of the Saturate Fraction of the Re- refined Base Oil RC With and Without Additive Package. (Reproduced from Reference 12).

252
AROMATIC FWTio.'J

I

I 1 1 1 1—

TEMPERATURE , °C

Figure 8. The Differential Scanning Calorimetric Thermogram of the Aromatic Fraction of the

Re-refined Base Oil RC With and Without Additive Package. (Reproduced from Reference 12).

Table 11. Oxidation stabilities of fractions measured by differential scanning calorimetry

Base Oil RC

Saturate Fraction + 0.5% ZDDP

Saturate Fraction + 0.5% ZDDP + 1.0% Polars

Saturate Fraction + 0.5% ZDDP + 5.0% Polars

DSC Oxidation

Induction Time, min

17.5

10.3

6.5

POLAR FRACTIONS_

TEMPERATURE , C

Figure 9. The Differential Scanning Calorimetric Thermogram of the Polar Fraction of the

Re-refined Base Oil RC With and Withoug Additive Package (Reproduced from Reference 12).

253
3.4.3. Four-Ball Wear Test

Gates and Hsu developed several four-ball wear test procedures to evaluate lubricating base

oils [14]. One of the four-ball wear test procedures is the micro- sample step-loading seizure

(SLST) test, which evaluates the load-carrying capability of a lubricant. The load is increased in

increments during a run conducted under constant speed. When seizure occurs, the load capacity of

the lubricant has been exceeded, and an accelerated wear condition exists. The micro-sample SLST test has been applied to both the fractions and subfractions of oil RC. Table 12 lists the seizure

loads for each fraction.

Table 12. Micro sample step loading seizure test results on the

fractions and polar subfractions of RC re-refined

Base Oil

Fractions Seizure Load, kg

Saturates 105

Aromatics 203

Polar 210

Polynuclear 210

Aromatic subfraction

Nitrogen Subfraction 120

Oxygenated Subfraction 165

The polar and aromatic fractions have th highest seizure loads, while the saturates has the

lowest. Among the polar subfractions, polynuclear aromatic compounds demonstrate a high seizure

load value, while the other nitrogen and oxygen compound classes have seizure loads as low as the

saturate fraction. By these data, it appears reasonable to conclude that aromatic and polynuclear

aromatic compounds isolated from this re-refined base oil posses anti-wear characteristics.

4. Conclusion

A liquid chromatographic separation scheme has been developed to characterize petroleum

lubricating base oil in terms of its constituent molecular compound classes. The separation scheme

consists of two-stages: The base oil is first separated into saturate, aromatic, and polar fractions; the polar fraction is then separated into polynuclear aromatic, nitrogen containing, and

oxygen containing compound classes. These isolated constituents can then be tested in various

performance tests.

The separation scheme developed in this study provides insight into the molecular structural

effects of the base oil constituents on oxidation stability and wear characteristics. For re-refined base oil, the separation method provides a unique methodology to isolate and identify

potential contaminants/impurities that may remain after the re-refining process. Thus, the

method is a powerful diagnostic tool for process research.

The author wishes to thank Mr. Richard Gates, Dr. W. Tsang, Mr. James Walker, and Dr. Y.C. Wu

of NBS for their contributions to the performance testing of the separated fractions.

5. References

[1] Manual on Hydrocarbon Analyses, 3rd Edition, sponsored by ASTM Committe D-2 on Petroleum

Products and Lubricants, ASTM (03-332030-12), Philadelphia, PA (1977).

[2] Ku, C. S. ; Pei , P.; Hsu, S. M. Evaluation of ASTM D2007 method for determination of lube

base oil composition. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oi 1 -IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec Publ. 674; 1983.

254
[3] ASTM Standards, D2007, Characteristic Groups in Rubber Extender and Processing Oils by ClayGel Adsorption Chromatographic Method, Part 24, 169 (1981).

[4] Hsu, S. M. ; Ku, C. S. ; Becker, D. A. Re-refined base oil characterization and consistency

monitoring: SAE Reprint #821240 from "Base Oil for Automotive Lubricants." SP526, Toronto,

Ontario, Canada (Oct. 1982).

[5] Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper in order

to adequately specify the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply

recommendation or endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards nor does it imply that

the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

[6] Pei , P.; Britton, Jr., J.; Hsu, S. M. Hydrocarbon type separation of lubricating base

oil in multigram quantity by preparative HPLC. J. Liquid Chromatography 6(4): 627-645; 1983.

[7] Mahoney, L. E. ; Korcek, S. ; Hoffman, S. ; Willermet, P. The determination of the anitoxidant capacity of new and used lubricants* method and applications Ind. Eng. Chem.

Product Research and Development 17: 250; 1978.

[8] Rebbert, R. Application of the anti-oxident capacity test to re-refined and virgin stock base

oils, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ . 584; 1979 October 237 p.

[9] Walker, J.; Tsang, W. Characterization of lubricating oils by differential scanning

calorimetry SAE Reprint #801383; Fuels & Lubricants; Oct. 20-23, 1980; Baltimore, MD.

[10] Walker, J.; Tsang W. Application of differential scanning calorimetry to the characterization of lube oils, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 584; 1979 October 271 p.

[11] Noel, F; Cranton, G. G. Analytical Calorimetry, Vol. 3. R. S. Porter and

J. F. Johnson, ed. New York: Plenum Publishing Company; 1974. 305.

[12] Walker, J.; Tsang, W. Comparative response of re-refined and virgin lube oils to additives by DSC. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[13] Hsu, S. M. ; Ku, S. C. ; Lin, R. S. Relationship between lubricating basestock

composition and the effects of additive on oxidation stability; SAE Paper #821237 from

Base Oil for Automotive Lubricants, SP 526, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Oct. 1982).

[14] Gates, R. S. ; Hsu, S. M. Development of a four-ball wear test procedure to evaluate

automotive lubricating oils, Reprint #82-AM-6A-4, 37th ASLE Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, Ohio

(May 10-13, 1982).

255

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674, Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV., held at NBS, Gaithersburg , MD, September 14-16, 1982,

(Issued July 1984).

EVALUATION OF ASTM D2007 METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION

OF LUBRICATING OIL COMPOSITION

C. S. Ku, P. Pei, and S. M. Hsu

Chemical Stability and Tribology Group

Inorganic Materials Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

ASTM D2007, "Characteristic Groups in Rubber Extender and Processing Oils by the

Clay-Gel Adsorption Chromatographic Method," and its variations are evaluated for

lubricating base oils, both virgin and re-refined. The results are compared with the

n-d-M method (refractive index, density, and molecular weight) and low resolution

mass spectroscopy. ASTM D2007 is found to be acceptable for use with lubricating

base oils, offering a rapid analytical procedure for classifying both virgin and

re-refined base oils of various viscosity grades. Hydrocarbon types such as polar

compounds, aromatics, and saturates are separated and characterized.

1. Introduction

Lubricating base oils are derived from petroleum fractions (C14 to C40) having an average

molecular weight between 300 and 500 [l] 1

. There are numerous theoretically possible molecular

structural arrangements for hydrocarbon molecules with eighteen or more carbon atoms. Therefore, it

is difficult to characterize molecular components in a complex mixture like a lubricating base oil.

After twenty years of extensive research under American Petroleum Institute (API) Project 6, it was concluded that the preparation and identification of even a uniform fraction (a fraction containing

exclusively molecules of the same size and hydrocarbon type) is time-consuming and difficult [2].

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-163, Section 383) requires the

National Bureau of Standards to develop test procedures for the determination of the substantial

equivalency of re-refined or otherwise processed used oils with new oils. One of the concerns with

a re-refined base oil is the presence of contaminants. Some of the contaminants can be harmful to engines, and may cause environmental hazards. They include contaminants such as sulfur from

sulfurized cutting oils, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from electrical transformer oils, oxidized

products from the previous use of the lubricating oils, and possibly other additives remaining after

the re-refining process. In order to study such contaminants, it is necessary to isolate and

identify them. Previous work [3] suggested that most of the contaminants were polar in nature and

could be separated as a polar fraction.

One method for studying complex mixtures (like base oils) is by Hydrocarbon-Type Analysis, by

clay gel chromatography, ASTM D2007, which yields an estimate of the various molecular structural

groupings present in a mixture. The three basic types of structural molecules present in a petroleum oil are: 1) paraffins (normal or branched straight-chain hydrocarbons and cycloparaff ins)

2) aromatics (one or multiple aromatic ring compounds), and 3) polar compounds (containing sulfur,

oxygen, nitrogen, and/or halogens). Such an analysis provides compositional information for

correlation with performance attributes such as oxidation stability and lubricity. The hydrocarbontype analysis can also indicate the extent of the severity of the refining process, thus serving as

a quality control indicator.

2. Methods Examined

Under API Project 6, a variety of chromatographic methods were developed to separate petroleum

fractions into hydrocarbon-type compounds [4]. One of the chromatographic methods investigated was adsorption chromatography, using solid adsorbents and a gradient solvent elution scheme. This

method was extended and used to separate petroleum fractions into basic hydrocarbon-type fractions

according to polarity [1]. However, this method has not been applied to lubricating base oils.

Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

257
ASTM Method D2007 was developed for the hydrocarbon- type analysis of rubber-extender and

processing oils. The method uses a dual column (silica gel and clay adsorbents) to separate oils

into three fractions: 1) saturated compounds, which do not adsorb on either the silica gel qrr clay

column; 2) aromatic compounds, which adsorb on the silica gel column; and 3) polar compounds, which

adsorb on a clay column of specified activity.

There are other ASTM methods which may be related and are currently being used. They include

ASTM D1319, "Hydrocarbon Types in Liquid Petroleum Products by Fluorescent Indicator Adsorption"

[5]; and ASTM D2549, "Separation of Representative Aromatics and Non-aromatics Fractions of High

Boiling Oils by Elution Chromatography" [5]. The fluorescent indicator adsorption method (ASTM

D1319) is applicable only to low-boiling petroleum products such as fuels and gasolines [7]. For high-boiling petroleum fractions, the aromatic dye used to mark the aromatics zone on the silica gel

column is more strongly adsorbed on silica gel than the highly alkylated monoaromatics found in base

oils. The method is limited to fuels, and therefore was not investigated further. The elution

chromatographic method (ASTM D2549)[5], is designed to separate high-boiling oils into two major

hydrocarbon types: aromatics and non-aromatics. Because of the limited scope of the separation,

this method was not evaluated further.

In addition to these methods, Sautoni reported in 1970 an HPLC method for hydrocarbon- type

analyses [8,9]. The method is rapid for molecular-type analysis, and can determine saturates and

aromatics fractions quantitatively. The concentration of the polar compounds is determined by mass difference. Because they are strongly adsorbed onto the silica column and are thus not eluted, no polar compounds can be recovered by this method.

Hence, of the chromatographic methods surveyed, the clay/gel method—ASTM D2007--appeared to be

the most promising one for detailed experimental investigations of its suitability for hydrocarbontype analysis of lubricating base oils as well as for isolation and recovery of polar impurities.

3. Experimental

The ASTM D2007 method [10] and a modification [11] were examined for their ability to separate

different base lubricating oils into three hydrocarbon-type fractions: saturates, polars, and

aromatics.

3.1. Oil Samples

Seventeen base oils, used commercially in the manufacturing of formulated lubricating oils, were utilized in this study. Ten of the oils were re-refined base oils, and the other seven were virgin base oils. An extensive listing of their physical and chemical properties is given in references [12,13]. The re-refined base oils were selected to represent most of the different

re-refining technologies available in the U.S. at that time, and the virgin base oils were selected

based on the viscosities and crude sources as shown in table 1.

3.2. Chromatographic Procedure

ASTM D2007, as outlined in reference [10], was used. The reference should be consulted for

specific procedures and chemicals. Briefly stated, the sample is diluted with n-pentane and charged

to a glass percolation column containing clay in the upper section and silica gel (plus clay) in the

lower section. The n-pentane containing the sample is then charged to the double column until a definite quantity of effluent has been collected. The upper (clay) section is removed from the

lower section and washed further with n-pentane which is discarded. A toluene-acetone mixture 1:1

by volume is then charged to the clay section and a specified volume of effluent collected. The

solvents are completely removed from the recovered pentane and toluene-acetone fractions and the

residues are weighed and calculated as saturate and polar compounds contents. Aromatics are calculated by difference. When the sample contains more than one weight percent of n-pentane

insolubles, the insoluble matter must be removed from the sample prior to charging to the column.

The modified D2007 procedure [11], differs in one important way from 02007: instead of

determining the aromatics fraction by mass difference after weighing the saturates and polars

fractions, it is measured experimentally. The silica gel column, to which the aromatics fraction is bound, is extracted with 100 ml of hot toluene. After the solvent is evaporated, the material

remaining is weighed as the amount of the aromatic fraction.

258
Table 1. Crude source and processing technologies of the seventeen base oil set

'1 ID3 Viscosity Grade Processing Technology

Crude Source

Geographical Area

VA 150N Solvent extraction Mid-East

VB 600N Solvent extraction Mid- East

VC 50: 50 150N/600N

Solvent extraction Canada

VD 210N Solvent extraction Mid-continent

VE 270N Solvent extraction Mid-East

VF 210N Solvent extraction Mid-continent

VG HON Solvent extraction Mid-continent

RA 200N Pretreat/Vac. dist./

Clay finish

Mid-West (US)

RB 250N Clay treat Southwest

RC 350N Acid/Clay Southeast

RO 300N Acid/Clay West Coast

RE 400N Caustic Pretreat/

Vac. dist.

Northeast

RF 350N Acid/Clay South

RG 300N Acid/Clay Northwest

RH 250N Acid/Clay Canada

RI 350N Acid/Clay West Coast

RJ 200N Acid/Clay Northeast

R = re-refined oils

aV = virgin oils

4. Results and Discussion

In a chromatographic separation method evaluation, the important aspects to be considered are the validity of the method, as well as the recovery, precision, and the cleanness of the separations.

The validity of the method can be shown by comparing the results to another independent analytical

method, such as low resolution mass spectrometry [14].

4.1. Validity of ASTM D2007

Low resolution mass spectrometry [14] is a method of determining aromatics and saturates in gas

oil samples, and can be used for hydrocarbon-type analyses of various petroleum fractions. However,

in the mass spectrograph! c method, the weight percentage of polar compounds is not determined.

Table 2 gives a comparison of the hydrocarbon-type analysis data from the ASTM D2007 method with the

low-resolution, mass spectroscopic method. The agreement between two sets of data indicates that

259
the modified D2007 method is consistent with the mass spectroscopy method. There appears to be no significant difference in the results between the two methods for the levels of saturates, aromatics,

and polars commonly found in lubricating base oils.

RK

Table 2. Hydrocarbon type determination by clay gel method (ASTM D2007) and mass spectrometric method

ASTM D2007 MS

Sat 73.9 74.3 Aro 23.5 25.7

Polar 2.6 (NA)

RL

vo

Sat

Aro Polar

Sat Aro Polar

Sat Aro Polar

Sat

Aro Polar

VP Sat Aro Polar

77.6

20.0

2.4

79.6

20.4

(NA)

75.3

22.5

2.2

79.0

21.0

(NA)

77.6

20.7

1.7

79.1

20.9

(NA)

85.9

12.8

1.3

86.6

13.4

(NA)

79.9

18.5

1.6

82.8

17.2

(NA)

4.2. Recovery of Base Oils

Since one of the objectives of the separation is to monitor the amount of potential polar con- taminants, complete recovery of the adsorbed materials is desired. The recovery of the base oils is shown in table 3, where the percent recovery for each base oil is given. The overall recovery from

the modified D2007 method—where the aromatics fraction is determined directly—is excellent,

averaging more than 99 percent.

For a comparison of recovery between the virgin and the re- refined base oils, there is no apparent difference in the recovery levels. The average loss (loss = 100 - recovery) for the

re-refined base oils, taken as a group, is 0.6 to 0.8 percent, and the average loss for the virgin

base oils, taken as a group, is 0.2 to 0.7 percent.

A comparison between the D2007 method—where the aromatics fraction is determined by difference

and the modified D2007 method—where the aromatics fraction is measured directly— is shown in table

4. The data are averages of two and three separate determinations. The agreement between the two methods on aromatics determinations is excellent with the D2007 method generally has higher aromatic

values than the direct determination. The difference may be attributed to the materials irreversibly

adsorbed on the column. Therefore, it appears to be valid to use mass balance as an alternate to calculate the aromatic fraction as used in the D2007 method.

260
Table 3. Sample recovery for base oils modified ASTM D2007 method (D2007M)

Sample Recovery, %

RM 99. 4 98. 8

RN 99. 6 98. 5 RO 97. 6 99. 5 RP 99. 4 100. 1 RQ 99. 4 99. 3 RR 99. 5 98. 6 RS 98. 9 99. 7 RT 99. 7 99. 5 VJ 99. 7 99. 2 VK 99. 2 99. 2 VL 99. 6 99. 8 VZ 99. 2 98. 1 VM 99. 8 99. 8 VN 99. 9 99. 9 VO 100. 7 100. 1 VP 101. 1 100. 6 RK 99. 4 99. 3 98. 4 RL 99. 9 98. 6 99. 3 VH 99. 3 99. 7 99. 5

Table 4. Hydrocarbon- type composition for base lubricating oils by two i

Modified

ASTM D2007 ASTM D2007

Sample Saturates Polars Aromatics 3 Aromatics

RK 73.9 2.6 23.5 22.5

RL 77.6 2.4 20.0 19.3

RM 75.3 2.2 22.5 21.7

RN 77.6 1.7 20.7 19.9

RO 75.9 1.7 22.4 21.1

RP 77.5 1.4 21.1 20.8

RQ 75.3 2.2 22.6 22.0

RR 76.9 2.2 20.9 20.0

RS 72.5 3.4 24.1 22.9

RT 78.0 1.8 20.2 19.9

VJ 80.5 0.6 18.9 18.3 VK 80.7 0.3 19.0 18.2

VL 73.4 0.3 26.3 26.0

VH 71.5 0.4 28.1 27.6

VZ 62.9 1.7 35.4 34.2

VM 83.4 0.4 16.2 16.0

VN 85.2 0.3 14.5 14.3

VO 85.9 1.3 12.8 13.3

VP 79.9 1.6 18.5 19.4

ue by difference: 100 - (Saturates) - (Polars)

261
4.3. Precision

The repeatabi 1 ities for both methods for each of the nineteen oils have been determined.

According to the ASTM D2007 procedure [10], the following repeatabi 1 ities are anticipated (95

percent confidence) when the method is used for rubber extender oils:

Saturates 0.8 percent;

Polars 0.7 times the square root of the percentage polars;

Aromatics 0.2 times the square root of the percentage aromatics.

For petroleum lubricating base oils, we find that the average repeatabi 1 ities for the fractions,

expressed in the same terms, as shown in table 5 are:

Saturates 0.5 percent;

Polars 0.1 times the square root of the percentage polars;

Aromatics 0.1 times the square root of the percentage aromatics;

0.2 times the square root of the percentage aromatics

(D2007M).

The above precision statements for lubricating base oils are well within the stated precision

of ASTM D2007.

Table 5. D2007 and D2007 modified test method precision

Repeatabi 1 ity

Modi f ied

ASTM D2007 ASTM D2007

Sample Saturates

9 Polar Aromatics Aromatics

RK 0. 5 0. 15 0 7 0. 16

RL 0. 75 0. 16 0. 17 0. 25

RM 0. 0 0. 07 0. 02 0 11

RN 1. 0 0. 08 0. 20 0. 02

R0 1. i 0. 08 0. 21 0. 65

RP 0. 6 0. 27 0. 0 7 0. 09

RQ 0. 1 0. 00 0 00 0. 02

RR 0. 9 0 14 0. 04 0. 25

RS 0. 0 0. 00 0. 00 0. 42

RT 0. 25 0. 20 0. 11 0. 18

VJ 0. 5 0. 00 0. 11 0, 24

VK 0. 4 0, 00 0. 09 0. 09

VL 0. 8 0. 00 0. 16 0. 12

VH 0. 4 0. 00 0. 08 0. 00

VZ 0. 7 0, 08 0. 10 0. 30 m 0. 5 0. 00 0. 13 0. 13 VN 0. 1 0. 00 0. 03 0. 00

vo 0. 1 0. 00 0. 03 0. 14

VP 0. 4 0. 00 0. 09 0. 02

Avg. 0. 45% 0. 08% 0. 1% 0. 17%

a Saturate-% difference between two successive runs

k % diff. between two successive runs Aromatic/polar-calculated from the equation % Aromatics or Polar

rASTM repeatabi 1 ities: Saturates ± 0.8%

Aromatics 0.2 times the square root of the aromatic content (%)

Polar 0.7 times the square root of the polars content (%)

262
4.4. Characterization of the Separated Fractions

The separated fractions from the modified D2007 method were further characterized using the

n-d-M method, infrared spectroscopy, total acid number, and sulfur analysis. These data can then be

used for consistency monitoring.

4.4.1. Refractive Index, Density and Molecular Weight (n-d-M)

One qualitative compositional evaluation of the hydrocarbon fractions was through use of the

ASTM D3238 method (n-d-M method) [15]. The n-d-M method determines the proportional percentage of

carbons in ring (%CR) and paraffinic compounds (%CP). The carbon in ring compounds is expressed in terms of carbons in aromatic (%CA) and naphthenic compounds (%CN). Table 6 lists the relative

percentage of carbon in the three hydrocarbon fractions of six oils.

From the n-d-M data given in table 6, the saturates fraction of the oils contain very little

aromatic carbon (less than 1 percent), and the percentage of paraffinic carbon is high (61 percent

to 70 percent). This indicates that the saturates fraction obtained from the ASTM D2007 method

consists primarily of long-chain paraffinic and napthenic compounds. The n-d-M analyses also show

that the aromatics fraction contains a high percentage of aromatic carbons (in the range of 22 to 28

percent), but it also has a relatively high percentage of paraffinic (%CP) carbon (in the range of

50 to 65 percent). The high %CP indicates a possible long-chain paraffinic carbon attached to one or more aromatic ring. On the basis of this n-d-M analysis, it can be concluded that the saturates fraction from the ASTM D2007 separation contains a very low concentration of aromatic compounds, and

the fraction is "clean."

4.4.2. Infrared Measurements

The fractions were also examined by infrared spectoscopic techniques. The infrared spectra of

the saturates fraction (fig. la and 2a) of a typical virgin and re-refined base oil are free of

aromatic and carbonyl absorption bands (1600 and 1700 cm a ). The aromatics fraction spectra

(fig. lb and 2b) show no carbonyl adsorption bands but they have aromatic absorption bands.

Hydroxyl , carbonyl, and aromatic bands are present in the polars fraction, suggesting that the

polars fraction consists primarily of oxygenated compounds, as shown in figures lc and 2c.

Table 6. n-d-M data of the ASTM D2007 fractions (ASTM D3238)

RK

^>Cp I^C|^

Sat =*() 31.5 31.5 68.5 Aro 23.1 44.5 21.4 65.5

RL Sat i0 30.0 30.0 70.0

Aro 24.5 41.0 16.5 59.0

RM Sat ^0 29.8 29.8 70.2

Aro 21.7 42.1 20.4 57.9

RN Sat ^0 30.2 30.2 69.8

Aro 23.3 41.7 18.4 58.3

V0

Sat 0.7 38.6 37.9 61.4

Aro 22.0 51.8 29.8 48.2

VP Sat 0.2 38.6 38.2 61.4

Aro 23.7 52.0 27.6 48.7

263
Figure 1. IR spectra of VM fractions (a) saturate, (b) aromatic and (c) polar

264
100

4000 3400 3000 2200 1800 1400 1000 600

Wavcnumber (cm )

Figure 2. IR spectra of RM fractions (a) saturate, (b) aromatic, and (c) pol

265
4.4.3. Compositional Comparison of Virgin and Re-Refined Base Oils

From the modified D2007 compositional data of the set of 7 virgin and 10 re-refined base oils

(table 4), the range and the average weight percentage of the two types of oils are calculated and

listed in table 7. It is interesting to note that the range of saturates, aromatics and polars is wider for the virgin base oil than for the re-refined base oils. The narrower range of the

re-refined base oils may be due to the statistical averaging of a large number of virgin base oils

in the collection of the used oils for re-refining.

Table 7. Composition distribution of base oils

Weight %

Saturates Aromatics Polars

Range Avg . Range Avg . Range Avg .

Re-refined Base Oils 72-78% 76.1% 20-24% 21.8% 1.4-3.4% 2.16%

Virgin Base Oils 63-86% 78.2% 13-34% 21.1% 0.3-1.7% 0.77%

In both re-refined and virgin base oils, the average weight percentages of the saturates and

aromatics are approximately equivalent, but there is a substanital difference for the average weight

percentages of the polars fraction. All virgin base oils have a polars fraction of less than 0.6

percent except VZ, VO, and VP, but all re-refined base oils have a weight percentage above 1 percent—and as high as 3.4 percent. Hence, the re-refined base oils have approximately three times more polar compounds than the virgin base oils. These additional polar compounds are likely to be

oxidized hydrocarbons and additives which were not completely removed by the re-refining process

used.

4.4.4. Sulfur and Total Acid Number (TAN)

In previous work [3], it was found that in several instances the polars fraction had a significant impact on the performance of the base oils. It is thus appropriate to study some important chemical properties of the fractions obtained from the D2007 separations. The sulfur

content and total acid (TAN) were determined [16-18] on these fractions.

Table 8 lists the sulfur content in each fraction vs its content in the base oil. The saturates fractions are relatively free of sulfur compounds. Sulfur compounds are distributed in the aromatics and polars fractions. The sulfur compounds in the aromatics fraction are reported

mostly as thiophenes [19], but the more polar sulfur compounds may be in the polars fraction.

Table 9 lists the total acid number of the base oils and their fractions. The high TAN values

for the polars fractions indicate that most of the acidic compounds are concentrated in the polars

fraction, and these acidic compounds are mostly the oxygenated compounds, as shown by the infrared

spectra of the polars fraction (fig. lc and 2c). The re-refined base oil sample RS has the highest

weight percentage of polars compounds (3.4 percent) in the set of re-refined and virgin base oils as given in table 4.

5. Conclusions

The test procedures ASTM D2007 and a modified version of that test (ASTM D2007M) were evaluated

for use in characterizing the hydrocarbon types in re-refined base oils. From our study of a set of

re-refined and virgin base lubricating oils, it is concluded that both tests are acceptable for the

hydrocarbon type analysis of base oils. The advantages of modified ASTM D2007 are its simplicity

and the excellent recovery of all three hydrocarbon-type fractions: saturates, aromatics, and

polars. These fractions can be used in subsequent compositional evaluation of lubricating base

oi 1 s.

Further, various evaluations of the fractions produced by this procedure show that the

fractions are well-separated. The saturates fraction is free of aromatic compounds; however, the

aromatics fraction contains paraffinic carbon as well as aromatic carbon, indicating the possible

presence of paraffinic chains attached to the ring compounds.

266
In both re-refined and virgin base oils, the weight percentage of saturates and aromatics fractions

are very similar; but, there is a large difference for the weight percent of polars fractions. On the

average the polars fraction of the re-refined base oil is three times more than that of the virgin base

oils. Two important chemical properties--sul f ur and TAN—were determined for each fraction.

VO

VP

RK

RL

RM

RN

Table 8. Sulfur of base oils and fractions

SuVfur

(wt. %)

Oil 0.04

Sat ~0

Aro 0.14

Polar 0.24

Oil 0.054

Sat Aro 0.24

Polar 0.19

Oil 0.24

Sat ^0

Aro 0.84

Polar 1.9

Oil 0.12

Sat ^0

Aro 0.52

Polar 1.1

Oil 0.18

Sat ^0

Aro 0.75

Polar 1.2

Oil 0.19

Sat -0

Aro 0.7

Polar 2.7

267
Table 9. TAN of base oils and fractions

TAN

0.17

<0.001

<0.01

0.79

0.81

0.049

0.056

8.86

0.14

0.016

0.15

3.10

1.69

0.025

0.068

13.31

0.012

<0.01

0.022

4.25

6. References

[1] Manual on Hydrocarbon Analysis, 3rd Ed. , sponsored by ASTM Committee D-2 on Petroleum Products and

Lubricants. ASTM (03-332030-12); Philadelphia, PA; 1977.

[2] Van Ness, K. ; Van Western, H. A. Aspects of the constitution of mineral oils. Elsevier

Publishing Corp., Inc; 1951.

[3] Gates, R. ; Hsu, S. M. Development of a step loading seizure test for engine oil additive

response. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.)

Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[4] Mair, B. J. Proc. Seventh World Petrol Conference; 1967. 9, 39.

[5] ASTM Standards, D1319 Hydrocarbon types in liquid petroleum products by fluorescent indicator

adsorption, Part 23; 1981. 708.

[6] ASTM Standards, D2549, Separation of representative aromatics and nonaromatics fractions of high

boiling oils by elution chromatography; Part 24; 1981. 472.

[7] Knight, H. S. ; Groennings, S. Anal. Chem. 1956. 9.

[8] Suatoni, J. C. ; Garber, H. R. J. Chromatogr. Sci. 1976. 546; 14.

[9] Suatoni, J. C. ; Swab, R. E. J. Chromatogr. Sci. 1976, 14; 535.

[10] ASTM Standards, D2007. Characteristic groups in rubber extender and processing oils by the clay-gel

adsorption chromatographic method; Part 24; 1981; 169.

Oil

Sat Aro Polar

RR

Oil

Sat Aro Polar

RT Oil

Sat

Aro Polar

RS

Oil Sat Aro

Polar

VH

Oil

Sat

Aro Polar

268
[11] Corman, B. G. Exxon-Baytown , Private Communication.

[12] Weeks, S. ; Hsu, S. Evaluation of physical property test methods for re-refined base oils.

Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec.

Publ. 674; 1983.

[13] Cummings A.; Pei , P.; Hsu, S. Evaluation of chemical property test methods for re-refined base

oils. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.)

Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[14] Robinson, C. J. Anal. Chem. 43; 1425, 1971.

[15] ASTM Standard D3238. Calculation of carbon distribution and structural group analysis of

petroleum oils by n-d-M method; Part 25; 1981, 119 .

[16] Denison, Jr.; G. H. , Ind. and Eng. Chem. 1944; 477, 36.

[17] Denison, Jr., G. H. ; Condit, P. C. Ind. and Eng. Chem. 37; 477, 1945.

[18] Cartwright, S. J.; Carey, L. R. Control of engine oil acidity; SAE/SP-80/473, paper #801366.

[19] Synder, L. R. ; Suander, D. L. Chromatography in petroleum analysis K. H. Altgelt; and T. H. Gouw, eds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 1979.

269

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982,

(Issued July 1984).

TEST METHODS FOR TOTAL CHLORINE IN LUBRICATING BASE OILS

P. Pei, R. Fleming 1

, and S. M. Hsu

Chemical Stability & Tribology Group

Inorganic Materials Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Chlorine in trace quantities usually can be found in re-refined lubricating base

oils. While the effects of chlorine on performance is not clear at this time, a method to measure chlorine accurately as a means of quality control is needed.

Five analytical methods for the determination of chlorine in lubricating base oils were studied. They are: ASTM D-808, an oxygen bomb method; ASTM D-1317, a sodium

alcoholate method; the Microcoulometric Titration method (MCT); X-ray Fluorescence (XRF);

and Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). The first three method (ASTM D808, D1317, and MCT) are not specific for chlorine but are generally used for chlorine measurement assuming

that halogens other than chlorine are absent. The last two methods (XRF and NAA) are chlorine specific.

The NAA method was found to be the most accurate, interference free method. However, NAA is not widely available. Using the results from NAA as the primary reference data,

the XRF method was found to be acceptable for the determination of specific values for

concentration levels above 5 ppm. However, the modified D1317 (sodium alcoholate) and the

micro-coulometric titration methods were also found to be acceptable methods for the

determination of total chlorine in petroleum base oils, assuming halogens other than

chlorine are not present at significant levels. The quantity of halogens other than

chlorine in base oils has been found to be generally low and the results from these

methods suggest reasonable agreement with chlorine content.

1. Introduction

Chlorine is normally present only at very low levels in virgin lubricating base oils. In re-refined base oils, various chlorine concentrations ranging from a few parts per million to 0.1

percent by weight have been found [l] 2 . This is due to a variety of sources: lead scanvenger

(ethylene dichloride) from leaded gasoline; chlorinated industrial oils; chlorinated electrical

transformer oils; and chlorine containing additives in lubricants. These chlorine-containing

compounds and/or fluids find their way into the used oil collection stream which is the feed-stock

for re-refining. Most re-refining processes are reasonably effective in removing the chlorine as evidenced by the low average chlorine levels (34 ppm) for eight re-refined base oils [2]. The

effects of this trace amount of chlorine on base oil performance are not clear at this time.

However, the persistent presence of chlorine in re-refined base oils requires an accurate analytical

method for its determination in the range of about 1 ppm to approximately 0.1 percent by weight.

2. Methods Discussion

Five analytical methods currently used for the determination of chlorine in petroleum oils are listed in table 1. Two of the methods are American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standard

methods [3]. The other three methods are x-ray fluorescence (XRF), neutron activation analysis

(NAA), and microcoulometric titration (MCT).

Both ASTM methods and the MCT method require sample preparation to convert organic chlorinecontaining compounds to chloride ions by oxidation in a closed system or by refluxing in sodium

alcoholate. The chloride ions are, in turn, determined by a variety of methods. The total

x Neutron Activation Analysis Group, Inorganic Analytical Research Division, Center for Analytical

Chemi stry.

2 Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

271
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272
chlorine concentration as determined by the above three methods are based on the assumption that

halogens other than chlorine are absent. X-ray fluorescence and neutron activation analysis are chlorine specific methods which do not require sample destruction, and the total chlorine con- centration is measured directly.

A short summary of each method is listed in table 1, including limits of applicability and

estimated uncertainties. Also listed in table 1 are possible interferences involved in each method.

Seventeen lubricating base oils were selected for chlorine determination in these studies, ten re-refined and seven virgin base oils. These base oils represent a cross-section of available

processing technologies, crude sources and viscosity grades as listed in table 2.

Each method is described individually below.

Table 2. Crude source and processing technologies of the seventeen base oil set

Oil ID

VA

VB

Viscosity Grade

150N

600N

Processing Technology

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction

Crude Source

Geographical Area

Mid-East

Mid-East

v \* 150N/600NJUCn 11 wont Vclll ovt^artinn CAll dL 1. 1 Ull PanaHa bdlldUo

VD 210N Solvent extraction Mid-continent

VE 270N Solvent extraction Mid-East

VF 210N Solvent extraction Mid-conti nent

VG HON Solvent extraction Mid-continent

RA 200N Pretreat/Vac. dist. / Clay finishMid-West (US)

RB 250N Clay treat Southwest

RC 350N Acid/Clay Southeast

RD 300N Acid/Clay West Coast

RE 400N Caustic Pretreat/

Vac. dist.

Northeast

RF 350N Acid/Clay South

RG 300N Acid/Clay Northwest

RH 250N Acid/Clay Canada

RI 350N Acid/Clay West Coast

RJ 200N Acid/Clay Northeast

V = virgin oils

R = re-refined oils

273
2.1. ASTM D808 Method, "Chlorine in New and Used Petroleum Products (Bomb Method)"

In the D808 method, the samples are introduced into a bomb and combusted in oxygen under

pressure. The three halogen compounds present are then determined gravimetrically by precipitation

with silver.

Because the ASTM D808 method was originally developed for industrial oils which contain a high

chlorine content, its applicability range was designed to be 1000 ppm to 50 percent chlorine and

also with the assumption that halides other than chlorine are absent. The chlorine concentration in lubricating base oils are usually in the range of 1 ppm to 100 ppm, which is below the applicability

range of ASTM D808.

Modifications to this method were attempted in order to build-up the chloride concentration

sufficiently to permit accurate silver chloride determination gravimetrically. For example,

repeated burnings of samples in the same bomb were attempted to increase the apparent sample size.

However, these attempts were not successful. Analytical results of the modified ASTM D808 method

are shown in table 3, including two sets of results obtained by two different operators. The

discrepancy between the two sets of analytical results is more than 100 percent for samples having a chlorine content of less than 100 ppm (e.g., sample RM). This indicates that the modified ASTM 0808

method may be operator-dependent and difficult to control at low chlorine concentrations. Hence, at concentration levels less than 100 ppm, the ASTM D808 method is not recommended.

Table 3. Analytical results of ASTM D808 (modified) method for chlorine analyses

(ug/g) by two operators

Description Sample # Chlorine Analysis

Operator "A" Operator "B"

Re-refined Base Oil RL 68 27 70 26 68 28

Avg. 68.6 ± 1 27 ± 1

Re-refined Base Oil RM 219 201

320 221

251

Avg. 263 ±6 211 ± 10

A further modification to the ASTM D808 method was attempted, based on a technique used in the

literature [4]. After digestion of the oil sample in the bomb, a chloride-specific ion-electrode

detector was used for the chlorine determinations. Results for these oils show poor comparability

with standards, apparently due to significant interferences by other ionic species present in the

oi 1 s.

2.2. ASTM D1317 Method, "Chlorine in New and Used Lubricants (Sodium Alcoholate Method)"

In the sodium alcoholate method, the sample is boiled under reflux with sodium metal and

n-butyl alcohol. Under these conditions, the halogens are converted to halide and extracted into water. The halides are determined as total chlorine by titration with silver in the presence of

thiocyanate.

ASTM D1317 is a method developed originally for chlorine-containing industrial oils in which it

is assumed that chlorine is the only halogen present. The lower limit of detection is 0.1 percent,

similar to ASTM D-808.

In an attempt to improve this method, two modifications were evaluated. First, the oil sample

size was increased in the sodium alcoholate treatment in order to lower the detection limit to the

ppm level. However, the result was influenced by the chlorine blank found in the sodium metal used

(10 to 15 ppm). Different batches of sodium metal from several manufacturers contained variable

amounts of chlorine above 10 ppm. Since the desired analytical range included 1 to 20 ppm, the

blank f;iue was often higher than the sample concentration causing large errors at concentrations

274
below about 15 ppm. With larger sample sizes, the extraction of chloride into the aqueous phase

becomes more difficult. Using fluoride as an internal standard with the individual halogens

measured by ion chromatography, a chloride recovery rate as low as 38 percent has been observed.

All these difficulties, however, can be overcome if: (1) precautions are taken to use only

sodium metal with low and constant chlorine content and with blank correction properly applied; and

(2) the extraction procedure is adequately controlled with vigorous mixing to ensure constant

extraction efficiency of chloride ions. Table 4 presents the precision data of the modified sodium

alcoholate method on one sample. Table 5 presents the chlorine analysis of the seventeen base oils

using sodium slcoholate -method.

The detection limit for the modified sodium alcoholate method is approximately 1 ppm. This

method may be used for samples above 1 ppm, if suitable precautions are taken as described above.

The precision for six analyses on the same sample was ± 30 percent at a chlorine content of 5.3 ppm. The detailed modifications developed for ASTM 1317 are listed in Appendix I.

Table 4. The precision data of the modified sodium alcoholate method

(ASTM D1317 modified)

Re- refined Oil Sample

RO 3.5 ppm

4.0 ppm

6.0 ppm

5. 1 ppm

8.0 ppm

5.0 ppm

Average =5.3

Standard deviation =1.6

Table 5. Analytical research for chlorine analyses by modified

sodium alcoholate method (ASTM D1317, modified)

Description Oil Sample Chlorine Analyses (ppm)

Virgin Oil

Re- re fined Oil

VH 1.0 VZ 2.0

VJ 1.0 VK 1.0 VL 1.0 VM 1.0

VN 1.0

RK 5.0

RL 12.4

RM 186

RN 5.0

R0 5.3

RP 3.0

RQ 12.2

RR 19.2

RS 1029

RT 895

2.3. X-ray Fluorescence Method

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a well-known analytical method which can be used for the determination of chlorine and bromine in petroleum products. This method is described briefly in table 1. The chief limitation of this method is the detection limit of approximately 5 ppm chlorine.

Interference from inorganic lead in samples such as used automotive lubricating oils is also

possible, due to shielding of the radiation. Another potential interference is from sulfur, since

sulfur fluoresces at an energy level which is very close to that of chlorine.

275
XRF results for the seventeen base oil set are listed in table 6. The XRF results for the

virgin base oils show that the concentration of chlorine is below the XRF detection limit. For re-refined base oils, all but two of the results are within the range of the detection.

This method is particularly suitable for fast scanning of total chloride in order to detect

samples with high chlorine content, i.e., greater than 100 ppm. The XRF system used did not provide

accurate total chloride determinations in base oil samples containing less than about 10 ppm.

2.4. Neutron Activation Analysis

The neutron activation analysis (NAA) method was also considered for chlorine analysis, since

the high sensitivity and freedom from interferences were known. This method is described in table 1 and Appendix II. Primarily, this method was used as a reference method, since previous work at this

laboratory had established its capabilities for high accuracy chlorine and bromine analyses. The

precision and accuracy of the method was shown to be ± 1 - 3 percent, when suitable care is given

during the analyses. The results of NAA analysis on the 17 base oils are listed in table 6.

In considering the advantages and disadvantages of the method, NAA appears to be the most accurate method available in the concentration range being investigated. However, there are only a limited number of laboratories in the U.S. that are equipped to perform NAA, and the cost per

analysis is usually considerably higher than for the other methods. Because of these limitations,

the analyst may wish to consider alternate methods for routine chlorine analyses.

2.5. Microcoulometric Titration (MCT) Method

In 1960, Coulson and Cavanagh developed the MCT method for the analysis of organic chlorine

compounds [5]. The microcoulometric method involves two steps: the sample is first burned in a combustion chamber in oxygen to convert the chlorine to chloride and oxychloride, and then the

chloride is reacted with silver ions in a titrating cell, where the silver ions are replaced

coulometrically. This method has the advantages of easy operation and good sensitivity (ca. 1 ppm).

However, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur compounds from contaminants or lubricant additives has

been reported to cause interferences [6]. This method also failed to analyze properly some highboiling, inorganic chloride compounds [7,8]. A complete description of the MCT method can be found

as Appendix III.

A modification of the MCT method by Matsuzaki and Koyano [6] entails the use of a copper oxide

scrubber at the end of the combustion process to eliminate interference by nitrogen, phosphorus, and

sulfur compounds. Matsuzaki and Koyano reported that their modification eliminates the interference

of nitrogen-, sulfur-, and phosphorus-containing compounds at levels as high as 10 percent in finished lubricants containing additives. In re-refined base oils, potential contamination by

residual additives is possible, but the levels of nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus compounds are very low compared with the study in reference [6].

The microcoulometric titration results on the 17 base oils are listed in two columns in table

6: using the copper oxide scrubber, and without using the scrubber. The use of the scrubber does

not appear to consistently affect the results, however, analysis of the data show that use of the

scrubber appears to slightly improve the results in comparison with NAA.

3. Discussion of Results on Chlorine Analysis by Four Methods

A set of seventeen base oils was analyzed by the sodium alcoholate (D1317, modified), XRF, NAA,

and MCT methods. These results are shown in table 6. Of the seventeen base oils, seven are virgin

base oils and ten are re-refined base oils. The chlorine content of the seven virgin base oils is below 1 ppm, with the exception of the VZ sample. The chlorine content of the ten re-refined base

oils ranges from about 6 ppm to over 0.1 percent by weight.

For the seven virgin base oils, the analytical results from the Modified D1317, XRF, and MCT methods are either higher than those from NAA, or below the method's detection limit. These results

confirm the limitation of these methods for low levels of chlorine. The Modified D1317 and MCT methods also likely are suffering from interferences due to small amounts of halides other than

chlorine in the re-refined oils, and/or from nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur compounds present in the virgin base oils.

276
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277
For seven of the ten re-refined base oils, the range of the chlorine concentration is from 6 to

20 ppm. The remaining three have a chlorine content well above 100 ppm (RM, RS, and RT). The

relative precision of multiple analyses of samples by NAA is ± 1 percent; for the MCT method is ± 6 percent; and for the Modified D1317 method is ± 30 percent.

As was described earlier, both the Modified D1317 and MCT methods are for total halogen content

in a base oil. Table 6 also lists the total bromine content of each base oil as determined by NAA. Presumably, the values reported by Modified D1317 and MCT should be the sum of the chlorine and

bromine values determined by NAA. However, this is not observed. For example, let us examine

values reported by the Modified D1317 and the MCT methods for re-refined oil sample RR. The total

halide value reported by MCT is 18.4 ppm (with scrubber), in comparison to the total halide

(chlorine + bromine) value determined by NAA of 34.1 ppm. In general, it was observed that the

halogen values determined by MCT appear to be substantially lower than the total halogen values

(chlorine + bromine) as reported by NAA.

One possible reason for MCT's total halide measurements being low is as follows. During

pyrolysis of the oil sample, halides and oxyhalides are produced. However, only halides and

oxychloride are 100 percent titratable by the silver titrant ions, and the other oxyhalides, such as oxybromides and oxyiodides, are not titratable with the silver titrant ions [9]. Therefore, the

recovery of chlorine is 100 percent, but only approximately 50 percent for bromide and iodides.

Fluorides and oxyfluorides are not titratable at all in this system since no reaction will occur when they encounter silver ions.

The detection system used in MCT is a microcoulometric titration cell which measures all substances which will complex or precipitate with silver ions in a 70 percent acetic acid solution.

When the silver ion concentration in the titration cell is lowered, the sensor electrode potential

changes which in turn produces an input signal to the microcoulometer amplifier. The amplifier

output voltage is placed across the generator electrodes and the following reaction occurs at the

generator anode:

Ag -> Ag

+ +e" (1)

The silver ion generated in this way replaces the silver ion consumed in the silver halide reaction

and also restores the electrode potential to the original state. The current flow in reaction (1)

is measured and Faraday's Law is used to calculate the number of microequi valents of silver ion

generated which are equivalent to the silver ions consumed by halides and oxychlorides entering the

titration cell. Since the measurements are usually reported as a weight percentage of chlorides,

the atomic weight of chlorine is used in the calculation. For correction factors for the presence

of other halides, a conversion factor based on the ratio of atomic weights of chlorine and bromine

or iodine has to be applied, assuming the concentration ratios are known. For example, in the case

of bromides, the ratio is At.wt.Br _ 79.90 . „

At.wt.Cl 35.45

and for iodine, the ratio is

At.wt.

I

_ 126.90 , „

At.wt.Cl 35.45 5

With the above two considerations, the total chloride values determined by MCT are seen to be less

affected by the presence of other halides, than originally expected.

The results of data analysis as shown in table 6 indicate that the MCT method, when used for

samples above several ppm, provides results which agree reasonably well with the NAA results

although the method seems to have about a 10 percent bias on the low side.

4. Conclusions

In this study, five analytical methods for determining the chlorine content of re-refined base

oils have been evaluated. NAA was found to be the most accurate and reliable method. Of the other

methods, three (D1317M, XRF, and MCT) are found basically satisfactory for routine analysis when

high accuracy is not required. Two methods (XRF and NAA) are chlorine specific and the remaining

two (Modified ASTM D1317 and MCT) are not chlorine specific, but can be used if halogens other than

278
chlorine are absent or present at relatively low levels. The ASTM D-808 (bomb method) has been

found to be less than satisfactory due to the low chlorine levels usually found in base oils and the

substantial possibility of interferences being present in re-refined oils.

If available, NAA should be the method of choice. Since it is independent of the chemical

forms of the chlorine compounds, pretreatment is not required. It has the best accuracy and

precision of all the methods evaluated. As stated previously, though, NAA may not be readily

available for routine analyses, since relatively few commercial facilities in the U.S. can provide

NAA analytical services. However, NAA should be used as the reference method in case of a dispute

between other methods.

One of the three alternate methods is the MCT method. It has been automated for easy

operation, and the instrument is readily available commercially. Its applicability range is stated

to be 1 ppm to 10 percent with proper dilution. However, the microcoulometric titration method is not chlorine specific and may not be interference-free. The possible interferences by nitrogen,

sulfur, and phosphorus compounds in the base oil samples apparently can be eliminated by the use of

the copper oxide scrubber. Concern regarding interferences due to high-boiling inorganic chloride

compounds is low, because of the limited solubility of the inorganic chloride in base oil. The data

obtained on re-refined base oils by the MCT method are in reasonably good agreement with chlorine

values given by NAA analyses above the 3 ppm level.

The other two methods are XRF and the modified sodium alcoholate methods. XRF method is very

useful for fast sample scanning, but as with the MCT method it has limited use for oils with

chlorine levels below 5 ppm, such as the virgin base oils. For the modified sodium alcoholate

method, precautions must be taken in order to make this method applicable to base oils containing

chlorine content of less than 100 ppm. Assuming that halogens other than chlorine are absent, the

precautions are:

1) Sufficient reflux time to allow complete extraction of the chlorine from the sample;

2) Use of sodium metal with a low chlorine blank, which is homogeneously distributed

throughout the sodium metal (to enable accurate blank corrections); and

3) Subtraction of the well-characterized blank value from the analyses results.

The authors wish to express their appreciation to Dr. William Koch, Dr. George Marinenko, and

Dr. Yung Chi Wu, of NBS, Dr. John Houston of Suntech and Dr. Arthur Krawetz of Phoenix Lab for their

cooperation in the preparation of this manuscript.

5. References

[1] Frame, E. A.; Bowen, T. C. , Jr. U.S. Army/Environmental Protection Agency Re-Refined Engine

Oil Program. AFLRL Report No. 98. U.S. Army Mobility Equipment Research and Development

Demand; 1978 May.

[2] Hsu, S. M. ; Ku, C. S. ; Becker, D. A. Re-Refined base oil characterization and consistency

monitoring, SAE paper 82140; SAE SP 526; Society of Automotive Engineers; Warrendale, PA; 1982.

[3] 1981 Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Parts 23 and 24; ASTM Philadelphia, PA; 1981.

[4] Nadkarni , R. A. Multitechnique multielemental analysis of coal and fly ash. Anal. Chem. 52: 929; 1980.

[5] Coulson, D. M; Cavanagh, L. A. Automatic chloride analyses. Anal. Chem. 32: 1245-1247; 1960.

[6] Matsuzake, A; Koyano, K. Estimation of nitrogen sulfur and phosphorus interferences in determination of chlorine in petroleum products by combustion and microcoulometric titration.

Anal. Chem. 52: 146-149; 1980.

279
[7] Ladrach, N. ; Cvatas, V. D. ; Gonverneur, P. Determination of traces of chlorine in organic

liquids, a combustion-mi crocoulometric method. Anal. Chem. Acta 50: 219-228; 1970.

[8] Solomon, J. ; Uthe, J. F. The determination of chlorine in organic materials by combustion and

microcoulometry. Anal. Chem. Acta 73: 149-155; 1974.

[9] Burchfield, H. P. ; Wheeler, R. J. Analysis by microcoulometric gas chromatography. J. of the

Association of Official Analy. Chemists 49: 651-661; 1966.

280
Appendix I. Modifications for the Sodium Alcoholate Method (ASTM D1317)

The full D1317 procedure is followed with the following modifications:

Reagent

4.11 Sodium Metal - Reagent grade with low chlorine content such as the sodium sphere under naphtha

which is available from MCB, catalog #0240 (certain commercial materials are identified in order to adequately specify the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply

recommendation or endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards nor does it imply that the

materials identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.)

5. Procedure

5.1 The proper sample weight taken for analysis is:

(ppm) CI Sample wt. 1-10 ppm ~40 gm 10-0.1% ~4 gm

5.2 Reaction and Extraction

Sufficient time as much as 3 hours reflux may be needed to complete the reaction. Extraction

procedure should be repeated three times to ensure efficient extraction.

5.8 Blank Determination

All efforts must be taken to reduce the reagent blank to as low a level as possible. Repeated

blank determinations are necessary in case the reagent blank changes with time.

6. Calculation

Reagent blank value should be subtracted from the total chlorine content of the sample.

281
Appendix II. Procedure Description of Chlorine Determination by

Neutron Activation Analysis

Activity determined: 37 C1 (n,v) 38 C1

Th = 37.21 min

E n = 1642 KeV

E = 2168 KeV Equipment '

a. A thermal neutron irradiation facility with a flux of from 1012 - 10 13 n/cm2 /s.

b. A multichannel gamma spectrometry system (Ge or Ge-Li) with an energy resolution of 2 KeV @ 1332

KeV, or better.

c. Pre-cleaned polyethylene, screw-top irradiation containers. (Clean by soaking in high purity

liN0 3

f ii 2 0).

d. Pre-weighed, glass counting vials.

Standa rds and Blank :

a. Standards can be prepared as aqueous solutions of high-purity KC1 or NaCl (e.g. SRM-975 or 999). At least two concentration levels in the range of interest should be used.

b. Blank can be any oil with a low chlorine level, e.g., paraffin oil (Fisher 0-119) is about 70 ppb

CI.

P rocedure

a. Prepare oils, standards, and blank by transferring to irradiation container and sealing. A clean

pipette should be used for each sample.

b. Irradiate each sample for a sufficient time (several minutes) to produce the desired activity.

(A longer irradiation in a lower flux is preferable to the reverse.) Use flux monitors if necessary.

c. Transfer sample into pre-weighed counting vial filled to a fixed level. Weigh to determine net sample weight.

d. Wait at least ten minutes after end of irradiation to begin counting so that any short-lived

activity (e.g. 52 V, 28A1 , 37 S) may decay away.

e. Count samples at a fixed distance from the detector, recording the net peak area of the two

lines. Two sequential counts of 15 minutes each is adequate.

Data Reduction

a. For each gamma line of each count compute

Ao = VNe 1 . e - 1 (1-e )(l-e )

\ = In Z/Th = decay constant

t = irradiation time

t^ = time from end of irradiation to start of count

A = live time of count

6 = dead time of count

N = net counts in the gamma ray peak

282
b. Compute the chlorine concentration as

[CI] = (Ao/W)x [Cl]std (Ao/W)std

W = weight of sample

W . = weioht of standard

std

[CI]

t(j = chlorine concentration in standard

c. Propagate the Poisson counting uncertainty to determine an uncertainty for each measurement

[1].

d. Determine a best value for each sample by computing a weighted average.

References

[1] Stevenson, P. C. , Processing of counting data. NAS-NS 3109; 1966.

[2] De Soete, D. ; et al. Neutron activation analysis. Wi ley-Interscience; 1972.

283
Appendix III. Procedure Description of Chlorine Determination by

Mi crocoul ometri c Titration Method

I. Scope:

This method is designed for the determination of total chlorine in lubricating base oils in the

concentration range of 1 to 200 ppm and assuming that no other halogens are present. A single

boat inlet (SBI) system is used. By proper dilution, chlorine concentrations as high as 10 percent can be accurately determined.

II. Summary of the Method:

A 5 (jL sample is injected into a quartz boat using a mi crosyri nge. .Argon is first allowed to flow for about 10 seconds over the boat and carry volatile compounds into combustion zone. Then

the boat is advanced into the hot inlet zone (900 °C). The vaporizing compounds are burned in oxygen to yield among other things chloride and oxychloride, which pass into the coulometric

titration cell where they precipitate as silver chloride. The silver is coul ometri cally

generated to return the concentration of silver in the cell to the original state. From Faraday's law the amount of chloride equivalent to the amount of generated silver is calculated,

and its weight fraction in the injected sample is expressed in parts per million.

Boat injections are repeated until two successive results agree within the pre-established

1 imits.

III. Apparatus:

1. Pyrolysis Furnace: It should have three separate and independently controlled hot zones. The inlet zone is kept hot enough to volatilize or decompose all compounds in the sample. The

center zone is maintained at a temperature chosen to optimize the scrubber efficiency.

Matszuki and Koyano [6] reported the following zone temperature for optimizing the 100 percent

recovery of chloride in both organic and inorganic chlorides.

Note: The above temperature settings are for boat inlet system. If direct microsyringe

injection are used, the high inlet temperature may foul the microsyringe needle.

2. Pyrolysis tube: The tube is made of quartz with the inlet end connected to the single boat

inlet accessory. The tube has two side arms; one for the entry of argon carrier gas into the

inlet zone and the other for the introduction of oxygen into the combustion zone.

3. Titration cell: The titration cell contains: a sensor-reference electrode pair to detect

changes in silver ion concentrations; a generator anode-cathode electrode pair to maintain

constant silver ion concentrations; and a heated inlet for gaseous products from the pyrolysis

tube. The sensor electrode is silver-plated platinum with a thin layer of silver chloride and

the reference electrode is a silver-plated platinum wire in a silver acetate saturated half-cell.

The generator anode is silver plated platinum and the cathode is platinum. The solution in the

titration cell is stirred with a magnetic stirrer.

4. Microcoulometer: The mi crocoul ometer has variable attenuation and gain controls, and is capable of measuring the potential of the sensing-reference electrode pair, compare this

potential with a bias potential, amplify the potential difference, and applying the amplified

voltage difference to the working-auxiliary electrode pair so as to generate the titrant. The

total chlorine content of the injected material is read directly in nanograms from the interpreting digital coulometer. Knowing the volume of the injected sample and the density of sample,

the concentration of chlorine in ppm can be easily computed.

Note: All the above equipment is commercially available from Dohrmann Envirotech Corporation

as their system METS-20.

(Certain commercial equipment, instruments or materials are identified in this paper in order to adequately specify the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply recommendation

or endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards nor does it imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.)

Inlet zone Pyrolysis zone Outlet zone900 °C 850 °C 700 °C (with cupric oxide)

284
IV. Sampling

Dilution with a suitable solvent may be necessary depending on the viscosity and chlorine level

in the sample. If the viscosity of the sample prevents the use of microsyringe, proper dilution

is needed to correct this problem or by weighing the sample into the boat. If the chlorine

concentration is above 200 ppm, dilution is needed to reduce the chlorine concentration down to 100-200 ppm.

V. Precision

The precision expected for various concentration levels, as reported in Dohrmann's Application

Note MC-201 is:

ppm CI- 95% Confidence Range

# % Relative

1-10 10

10-100 5

>100 3

VI. Safety

The samples analyzed may be toxic and may cause skin or eye irritation. Adequate ventilation

should be used at all times and proper care should be exercised. The concentrated acetic acid

electrolyte should be treated as any strong acid. The coulometer cabinet should be ventilated in

a hood.

285

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS , Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982.

(Issued July 1984).

A THIN-FILM OXYGEN UPTAKE TEST FOR THE EVALUATION OF AUTOMOTIVE LUBRICANTS

C. S. Ku and S. M. Hsu

Tribochemi stry Group

Materials Chemistry Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D.C. 20234

ABSTRACT

A thin-film, oxygen absorption test has been developed for the evaluation of

automotive lubricants using a standard Rotary Bomb Oxidation Test apparatus (RBOT) with

simple modifications. The test measures the induction time of the lubricant under test conditions which simulate high temperature oxidation process in automotive engines.

Effects of oxidized fuel components and metal catalyses as well as the effect of

hydrolysis on oil oxidation were considered. Test results on the ASTM engine sequence

HID reference oils suggested qualitative correlation with engine viscosity increase

data. Additional commercial oils were also tested and the results fell within the

reference oil ranges. The paper has been published elsewhere 1 and a copy of the paper

is included as an appendix to this abstract.

X C.S. Ku, S.M. Hsu, A thin film oxygen uptake test for the evaluation of automotive

crankcase lubricants. Lubrication Engineering 40, 2; pp. 75-83; 1984.

287
A Thin-Film Oxygen Uptake Test

for the Evaluation of Automotive

Crankcase Lubricants

CHIA-SOON KU (Member, ASLE)

and STEPHEN M. HSU (Member, ASLE)

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

PREPRINT NO. 82-LC-1D-1

A thin-ftlm oxygen absorption test has been developed for the evaluation of automotive crankcase lubricants using a standard

rotary bomb oxidation test (RBOT) apparatus with modification*. The test measures the oxidation induction time of the lubricant under conditions which simulate the high-temperature oxidation

processes in automotive engines. Effects of oxidized fuel components and metal catalysts on oil oxidation were studied. Test results on

the ASTM engine sequence HID reference oils suggested qualitative

correlation with engine viscosity increase data. Additional commercial oils were also tested and the results fell within the range

of reference oils.

INTRODUCTION

Automotive crankcase oils are formulated to meet the modern engine service requirements. Such requirements

are currently dehned by a set ol engine dynamometer tests and held testing One of the tests used to measure high- temperature oxidation stability is the ASTM sequence HID

engine dynamometer test. This test simulates high-temperature, high-load, highway operating conditions, and measures the oil viscosity increase, sludge and lacquer formation, and cam and lifter wear characteristics of crankcase

oils. There are performance limits associated with each of

the above parameters in HID test. To maintain test precision, the ASTM test monitoring board has set up an engine

test stand reference qualification system. A coded reference

oil is periodically sent to each testing laboratory and the

results are checked for accuracy and precision compared

with the known performance of that reference oil. Due to the high cost involved in engine testing, many

laboratory bench oxidation tests have been developed to assess oil quality prior to engine testing. Common tests such

as the Rotary Bomb Oxidation Test (1), (RBOT, ASTM

D2272) and the Turbine Oil Stability Test (2) (TOST, ASTM

D943) were developed for steam turbine oils but sometimes were used for other oils also. Other tests such as the

Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASME ASLE Lubrication Conference In Washington, D. C, October 5-7, 1982 Publication of the National Bureau of

Standards. Not subject to Copyright.

Penn State microoxidation test (3), oxygen absorption cir- culatory test (4), and Ford modified oxidation test (5) have

also been used. A detailed review of oxidation tests is pre- sented in Ref. (6). However, correlation between these tests and the engine tests is not well established.

In this study, the development of a thin-film oxygen uptake test which correlates with engine sequence HID vis- cosity increase test results is described.

OIL DEGRADATION MECHANISM IN GASOLINE

ENGINES

Since a bench test is used to simulate an engine test, it is important to understand how oil degrades in an engine. There are a limited number of studies on oil degradation mechanisms based on engine sequence IIIC engines or

single-cylinder engines in the literature (7)- (16). Although

the basic mechanisms of oil oxidation and deposit formation

are not well understood, these studies reveal some important parameters in oil oxidation and degradation processes

in engines. The engine can be viewed as a system consisting of two

chemical reactors in series. The first reactor is at the piston

ring, cylinder-liner area where a thin film of oil is subjected

to high temperature, high shear stress, and combustion gases. The second reactor is located in the oil sump with temperatures ranging from ambient to 100°C.

Significant oil degradation occurs in the piston ring zone and the cylinder liner areas. Oil is pumped to various parts of the engine such as rocker arms, valve trains, and cams

and lifters reaching temperatures between 80 and 100°C, but it is subjected to far more severe conditions at the piston and cylinder liners. In these areas, oil can encounter the following conditions: (1) Some oil is left on the cylinder

liner to face the combustion flame front at a temperature

of 370 to 425°C. At these temperatures, the light ends of

the oil are vaporized. Heavier fractions are oxidized and

are mixed with the high-molecular-weight fuel components

such as fuel additives, lead salts and lead scavengers from

leaded fuels, and partially oxidized gasoline fraction. This

oil mixture is then scraped by the piston ring and returned

288
to the oil sump. (2) Some oil is circulated through the piston

t ings at temperatures ol 200 to 2<>0°C, depending on operating conditions and engine l\pe I his oil is in contact with the blow-by gases containing N()v . ()•_., H._.(), CO. COa. and soot, and is often oxidized and/or nitrated. At these temperatures, the oil may also be dehydi'ogenaied because

the polished iron ol ihe piston rings can serve .is a catalyst for that process. Blow-by gases are apparently the main cause ol deposil formation. The blow-by gases are made up of combustion

products and partially oxidized fuel components as de- scribed above. Anderson (//) reported that, in a laboratory engine, out of the 1000 to 3000 ppm \Ov measured in exhaust gases (amounts vary with air/fuel ratio, compression

ratio, speed, etc.), only about 40 percent is lell when the blow-by gases reach the crankcase. This suggests that ap- proximately 60 percent ol the NC\ reacts with fuel components and oil in the ring zone areas. I he nitro and nitrate products apparently then leact with oxidized hydrocarbons

to form sludge and varnish, Spindt (14) operated an engine

in a nitrogen-free atmosphere and obtained essentially clean

pistons. The olefins and aromatics in the luel have been identified

as the primary active hydrocarbon components. Several

studies (7)-(10), (12) have indicated that some C»-C(j olefins

in the fuel react with NOx to form a, 3 nitro-nitrates which

are the sludge and varnish precursors. Radioactive lagging

experiments with benzene as fuel demonstrate thai U5 per- ceni ol ihe sludge carbon comes from ihe fuel. Alkyl-aro- malk' components in ihe luel (C»-C|i alkyl benzenes and

alkvl indanes) have also been shown lo effect varnish for- mation in engines. The chemical composition of several types ol engine deposits is given in fables 1 and 2. As shown,

ihe effects ol fuel components are evident. Certain additives may also play a role in engine varnish and sludge deposil formation. For example, sulfonates are used as rust inhibitors and detergents. Some sulfonates could read with water and oil oxidation products to form poly- mers and gel ihe lubricant. Zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate

(/DDI'), while inhibiting oxidation and preventing wear and

seizure, may decompose in hot acidic environments lo give

oil insoluble products. Viscosity index (VI) improvers are lugh-moleculai -weight polymers that uncoil ai high temperatures lo increase oil viscosity. Al ihe same lime, VI

improvers are very susceptible lo Oxidation and chain scis- sion via free radical oxidation. Thus, in oil formulation,

these additives must be properly balanc ed lo maximize their desired benehis and to minimize their contribution in deposit formation.

In summary, sludge and varnish precursors had been

suggested to be formed in the first reactor from lubricant blow-by gas interactions. The blow-by gases contained parTablf: 1

Ciif.micai Composition of Cakoi.inf Km.im Df.cosits from Rf.f (75) V \RNISI I Pision Varnish* O i nm Varnish ( Ai i 1 1 >Nt Son m k) c 20 - 757, Wi C 67- 7695 H 2 - in H 8- 10 N 1 - 3 N 1- 3 S 1.5- 11 S 1- 2 Br 1 - 5 Hi 2— 5 CI 1 - X CI 1- 4 Pb 5 - 16 PI) 5- 6 o 11 -16 O 2- 6 MW 300 -350 MW 600-650

•Elements listed by their chemical symbol; MW = average molecular weight

Table 2Chf.micai. Composition of Gasoi ink Em.inf. Dr.posn from Rf.f. (//)

Sl.l IK.K Solids 16-32% Wt

Liquid 64-80%

Others 4%

Solids Licjl ir> Lead halides Zinc Phosphorus

Sulfur

Iron

Silicon Oil insoluble oxidation product*

30 -40% Wt 4-9

0.3- 0.6 2-4

I - 2 0.1- I

Water

Oil Fuel

0- 2% Wt 60-80 4- 6

•Oxygen = 13-15%. Hydrogen = 8-10%

Carbon = 60-70%. Nitrogen = 1.5%

289
tially oxidized luel components, and these components were mixed with water and oilier deposit precursors in the second

reactor. Further reactions then led to the formation ol sludge and varnish in engines. The postulated oil degradation mechanisms are summarized in Fig. I. To develop a bench

lest lor engine simulation, the following chemical reactions need to be considered: (I) oxidation at high temperature;

(2) hydrolysis: (3) catalysis by fuel components (nitrated

olefins and aromatic components); (4) catalysis by metals

(lead salts and iron and wear metals); as well as (5) thermal

decomposition, and (6) absorption, adsorption, and subse- quent polymerization.

OXIDATION TEST DESIGN

Based on the oil degradation mechanisms discussed above,

a thin-film oxidation test appears to be ideal to simulate the

piston ring zone/cylinder liner conditions. A high-pressure,

thin-film design should eliminate oxygen mass transfer limitations since the oxygen diffusion rate is much slower than

the oxidation reaction rate. With a thin-film test, the amount

of the oil tested necessarily has to be small. Therefore, frequent and periodic sampling of test oil for viscosity mea- surement is difficult. Removing a large percentage of the

test oil as samples during the procedure will also increase the lest severity and affect the test precision. However, since the system discussed in this paper is under pressure, oxygen

absorption by oil can be easily measured. This will provide an oxygen uptake value as a measure of oxidation stability. The next question is how to keep a unilormly thin oil him. Systems with oil spraying on rotating cylinders, inclined planes, or concentric cylinders were considered. However,

these systems tend to be complex and difficult to control.

It was finally decided to use the existing Rotary Bomb Oxidation Test apparatus (ASTM D2272 oxidation apparatus)

with some key modifications. The modifications were (A) to reduce the bomb volume and (B) to reduce the oil sample

size to ensure a uniformly thin oil him. The existing rotary bomb apparatus (ASTM D2272) consists of a glass beaker

loosely fitted in the bomb which is located in an oil baih about 30° from horizontal plane. The glass beaker holds about 50 g of oil and an oil film is formed on the glass wall when the bomb rotates. To increase the proportion of oil in the thin film while reducing that which remains in the

Fuel Combustion

Lead Salts

Sulfur, Nitrogen

Compounds

Piston Skirl Adsorption & Reaction

Polymerization

Heat

High Temp Varnish on Piston Skirts

Blowby

NO + 02 + H,0 + HC

+ CO + C02 + C

- Ring Zone

Oil Absorption

NO,

Oil Oxidation, Catalysis 4 Nitration Heal

Oil Insoluble Products & Oxidized Monomers

& Nitrate Esters

Carbon Varnish Lead Salts Sludge

Precursors

Crankcase

Oil Absorption

NO,

w. a, p Nitro-N Urates Tl 150-200 Avg. MW

Inorganic

Metal Surface Adsorption &

Reaction

Surface

Active Polymera

Sludge

Low Temperature

Varnish Deposit

Fig. 1—Deposit formation mechanism in gasoline engines

290
bottom of the beaker, it was necessary to shorten the glass beaker and to use a smaller oil sample. The glass beaker was made to have a closer fit with the bomb in order to avoid the use of a heal transfer Huid between the beaker and the bomb, and the retention lip of the beaker was ex- tended to avoid oil spillage during the test (Fig. 2).

EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS AND PROCEDURES

The ASTM RBOT (D2272) apparatus was modified lor

this study as shown in Fig. 2. An aluminum insert was put

into the bomb to reduce the volume by 80 percent. As shown

in the diagram, the beaker has a minimum of 0.64-cm long

lip curved in approximately 30° from the horizontal plane. This lip is designed to contain the oil since the bomb is positioned at an angle in the oil bath during the experiment.

The operating procedures are described below: 1.5 g of the oil sample was weighed into the beaker. Water and

catalyst package were weighted and mixed with the oil. The

beaker containing the sample was then placed in the bomb

as shown in Fig. 2. The bomb was purged with pure oxygen

at 620 KPa successively to remove the air originally present, and the bomb was charged with pure oxygen to 620 KPa

at about 21°C. (The oxygen feed pressure was controlled

within 1 KPa with an in-line precision pressure gauge. For

each 3°C above or below this temperature, 7KPa ( 1 psi) was added or subtracted to attain the required initial pressure.) The bomb was placed in a constant temperature bath at 160°C and rotated axially at 100 rpm at an angle of 30° from the horizontal (/). A typical pressure vs time trace during the test is shown in Fig. 3. As shown, the period from the start of the test (point A) to the point when the pressure of the bomb starts to drop (point B, determined

by the interception of the pressure plateau and the tangent

of the pressure decrease line) is recorded. This time period

is defined as the oxidation induction time of the oil.

To Pressure Rocordor

Aluminum Inssrt

Fig. 2—Modifications of RBOT apparatus

TEST PROCEDURE DEVELOPMENT

As discussed earlier, an ideal oxidation lesl for the crankcase lubricating oils should simulate some of the key chemical reaction paihs thai exist in an engine. In HID enginetest, the key chemical reactions may be the high-temperature oxidation reactions catalyzed by metals and fuel components. The temperature and pressure of the lest are. to a large extent, limited by the rotary bomb oxidation apparatus design. Our initial starling point was to conduct the experi- ment al I50°C and 620 KPa initial oxygen charge as specified by ASTM D-2272. At I50°C, the oxidation induction time for f ully formulated uncatalyzed oils was loo long and

the pressure drop curves were sometimes indistinct. The

temperature was then raised to 160°C. Two forms of metal catalysis can be used: solid metal

catalysts and oil-soluble metal catalysts. Literature (IS), (19) indicated many oxidation tests use copper and iron as metal

catalysts. From used oil analysis, mixed metals such as lead,

iron, copper, manganese, and tin had been lound (20). Therefore, the ef fects of these metal catalysts and their forms need to be examined.

In addition, earlier discussions and hypotheses on the

ef fects of oxidized/nitrated fuel components on engine oil degradation suggest the use of a "synthetic f uel blow-bv"

for the test. Verlev (21) and Forbes (22) developed a synthetic fuel blow-by from oxidation of high-boiling gasoline

fraction. Effects of synthetic fuel blow-by on lubricant oxidation stability appear to be significant and should be eval- uated. The ultimate significance of the various catalytic effects on the test results were then studied using a set of ASTM

sequence HID engine lest stand reference oils. These oils have a large body of repeated engine lest data. Through

the oil viscosity break point hours (the time it takes lor the

oil viscosity increase to reach 375 percent in HID engine

tests), the oxidation stability of these reference oils can be ranked. Therefore, various combinations of the catalyst sys- tems were systematically examined using the ASTM ref- erence oils.

EFFECTS OF SOLID METAL CATALYSTS

Solid metals have been used in many oxidation tests as

catalysts. For example, Cecil (18) used iron and copper wires and Kuhn (19) used iron and copper strips to study the oxidation stability of automotive crankcase oils. Using iron and copper wires, Cecil developed an oxidation test which

|— —| Tims

Induction Tims

Fig. 3—Typical Induction time determination In the oxygen uptake test

291
Table 3

Induction Times of II1-D Reference O11.S Usinc. Steel and Copper Wires as Metal Catalysts Conditions 1.5 g Oil 2% Water

12 cm Steel and Copper Wires Each

160°C

620.6 KPa Oxygen (90 psig) HID Viscosity Induction Time (Min) Increase

Oil Breakhours* Avg. % Sid dev Rank

76A-1 64 (Pass) > 590 > 590 > 590 1 75B-I 56 (Pass) 395 487 441 15 2 79A 40 (Pass) 250 258 254 1 3

77B-! 24 (Fail) 240 250 245 3 3 77C 16 (Fail) 193 168 181 10 4 72A-I 16 (Fail) 198 176 188 8 1

•These hours indicate (he average hours of the reference oil reaching 375% viscosity increase in the 1 1 D engine

test.

I pp.iii»- j r„.i i

Goooiin* Ffactlon

> 1 SO "C

OiidoHon Product

TA*t 10 To IS

Svnthoilc Fuol Cotairat TAN 2

Fig. 4—Diagram for the synthesis of fuel catalyst for ostygen uptake test

correlated qualitatively with MIC viscosity increases data using several formulated oils. He oxidized the oil. in the presence of iron and copper wires, by bubbling oxygen into the oil for a fixed period. The viscosity increase of the oil was measured periodically. The criterion for a pass was a

viscosity increase of less than 400 percent after 400 hours.

Effects of iron and copper wire catalysts on oxidation were examined using the thin-film oxygen uptake apparatus. 1 2 cm each of low-metalloid steel wire and electrolytic copper wire (used in ASTM D943) were used. Immediately

before use. the wires were polished with silicon carbide abrasive cloth, and wound into a 48-mm o.d coil. The coils were

cleaned with ri-penlane and acetone ultrasonically, dried by

air, and inserted immediately inside the sample glass beaker

by a turning motion.

Duplicate test results of the oxygen uptake test using iron and copper wires on six MID reference oils are shown in Table 3. There is a qualitative ranking of the reference oils. The range of the oxidation induction time is wide, from

181 min to > 590 min. The most stable oil 76A-I, has an

oxidation induction time greater than 590 min. This cor- responds to the HID engine test results. However, oil 79A

(a pass oil) and oil 77B- 1 (a fail oil) have the same oxidation induction time within the test repeatability. Separation of

these two oils should be more pronounced. The test precision based on duplicate test results suggests some prob- lems with the solid metal catalysts. Oil 75B-1 and oil 77C

have 10 to 15 percent standard deviations. This problem may be inherent with the cleanliness of the metal surfaces and oil chemistry.

EFFECTS OF FUEL CATALYST

Earlier discussions indicated that the ef fects of fuel blow- by on lubricant oxidation may be significant. Thus, a synthetic fuel "blow-by" catalyst was prepared to simulate the engine conditions. Since blow-by analysis indicates the pres- ence of oxidized and nitrated high-boiling fuel components,

the fuel catalyst was made by oxidizing, in the presence of nitrogen oxides, a high-boiling fraction of VD engine test fuel. This fuel catalyst was prepared according to the pro- cedures shown in Fig. 4. t he fuel was first distilled to obtain

the high-boiling f raction (> 150°C). This material was then

oxidized in the presence of 2000 ppm nitrogen dioxide at 125°C for 72 hours. The oxidation was carried out in a 3.8- cm diameter open glass tube with 100 cc/min air flow rate. During oxidation, volatile oxidation products generated from

gasoline oxidation were allowed to escape. The high-boiling oxidized/nitrated fuel components' were collected in the oxidation glass tube. Periodic samples were taken for the total acid number ( TAN) analyses. The oxidation process was

terminated when the TAN of the reaction products reached between 10 to 15. The reaction product was then neutralized with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution to a TAN

of 2. This neutralization step removed most of the strong

acidic oxidation products which, as suggested by Forbes

(20). might react with overbased detergent additives in the

oil, producing anomalous results. The neutralized reaction product was used as the synthetic fuel catalyst. Experiments were conducted using 10 percent of this fuel

catalyst together with Fe and Cu wires in the oxygen uptake

292
Table 4

The Effects of Fuel Catalyst on Test Results

Conditions: 1.5 g Oil 2% Water

12 cm Sleel and Copper Wires Each

1 0% Fuel Catalyst I60°C

620.6 KPa Oxygen (90 psig) HID Viscosity Increase Induction Time (Min) Oil Breakhours* Avg. % Std. dev Rank

76A-1 64 (Pass) 120 112 113 1 15 4 2 75B-1 56 (Pass) 138 1 15 123 125 9 1 79A 40 (Pass) 97 95 100 97 3 3

77B-1 24 (Fail) 81 85 84 79 82 82 3 4 77C 16 (Fail) 56 54 54 55 2 6 72A-1 16 (Fail) 63 60 65 63 4 5

*These hours indicate ihe average hours of the reference oil reaching 375% viscosity increase in the HID engine

test.

Table 5Composition of Soluble Metal Catalyst Package (20) Metal Weight Ratio Weichi Percent

Lead Napthenate 8.00 81.5 Cupric Napthenate 0.69 7.0 Ferric Naphthenate 0.41 4.2 Manganese Naphthenate 0.35 3.6 Stannous Naphthenate 0.36 3.7

test. The triplicate test results are shown in Table 4. The

oxidation induction time ranges from 55 to 125 minutes,

considerably shorter than the results with iron and copper

wires alone. The correlation with engine test data was not achieved as could be seen from the oil ranking. However,

the three "pass" oils have higher induction times than the three "fail" oils. The induction times of the three pass oils range from 97 to 125 min, while those of the three fail oils range from 55 to 82 min. Within each category, the test does not rank the oils correctly. For example, the 64 h pass

oil (76A-1) is ranked lower than the 56 h pass oil (75B-1). The separation between the "pass" and the "fail" oils ap- pears to be improved when the fuel catalyst is used. The

repeatability of the test seems also to be improved slightly. Oil 75B-1 still has a standard deviation of 9 percent. The results, so far, suggest that the fuel catalyst increases the separation between the "pass" and "fail" oils. The effects of the various metal catalysts will be examined next.

EFFECTS OF SOLUBLE METAL CATALYSTS

Various metals are found in used motor oils: iron, copper, manganese, tin, chromium, lead, etc. Some of these metals come from wear. Lead comes from the leaded gasoline and

the scavenged lead. Wear metals and lead compounds can

cause significant catalytic effects on oil degradation. To study

the catalytic effects of these metals, a soluble metal catalyst package was prepared according to Hotten (20). The concentrations of the various metals are presented in Table 5. This mixed soluble-metal catalyst package was used to replace the solid-metal catalysts. The results of the oxygen

uptake test are shown in Table 6. The oxidation induction time ranges from 40 to 106 minutes. The separation be- tween the "pass" oils and "fail" oils is improved signifi- cantly from 15 minutes to 38 minutes. The oxidation in- duction times of individual oils within each group, however,

are not significantly different. One possible explanation is that the test conditions may be too severe and the concentrations of the catalyst packages need to be optimized.

CONCENTRATIONS OF SOLUBLE METAL CATALYST

AND FUEL CATALYST

The oxidation induction time results shown in Tables

4 and 6 suggest that the soluble metal catalyst and the

synthetic-fuel catalyst significantly affect the oxidation stability of automotive engine oils In the presence of the two

catalyst packages, the oxygen uptake test is able to clearly distinguish good reference oils from poor reference oils. However, in these experiments, the concentrations of the

catalyst packages may not represent the optimum. Therefore, the effects of the concentrations of the two catalyst packages on the oxidation stability of reference oils were

studied. Two reference oils, one "pass" oil (79A) and one "fail"

oil (77B-1), were tested at several catalyst package concentration combinations. Concentrations of the total catalyst packages were varied as well as the ratio of the two catalyst packages. Results of the test are shown in Table 7. The best separation of the oxidation induction times between the two

293
Tabit 6

Thf Effects of Metal Catalysts on Test Results

Conditions: 1 .5 g Oil 2% Water 10% Fuel Catalyst 5% Soluble Metal Catalyst Package

(Pb/Fe/Cu/Mn/Sn)

160°C

620.6 KPa Oxygen (90 psig) MID Viscosity Induct ion Time (Min) INCREASE Oil BrEAKHOI'KS* Rank

76A-I 64 (Pass) 93 2 75B-1 56 (Pass) 106 1 79A 40 (Pass) 95 2

77B-1 24 (Fail) 57 3 77C 16 (Fail) 40 5 72A-I 16 (Fail) 47 4

•These hours indicate the average hours of the reference oil reaching 375% viscosity increase in the HID engine

test

oils (100 minutes) was achieved at 5 percent each of the f uel and soluble-metal catalyst package. The total amount of catalyst packages appear to have a

significant impact on test severity but not the separation (comparing cases A and D as shown in Table 7). Too large

a dosage of the catalyst packages seems to suppress the separation (comparing A and D, B and E). The ratio be- tween the fuel catalyst package and the soluble-metal pack- age also appears to be important. Results in the cases of A,

B, and C suggested the ratio of 2:1 having the best separation, yet case E at lower total catalyst concentration did

not confirm this hypothesis. There could be a minimum

concentration of the soluble-metal catalyst package below which the effects are not significant. For the purpose of this study, the case ol 5 percent each appears to be adequate.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The final test conditions, therefore are set as follows:

Sample size: 1.5 g Temperature: 160°C

Catalyst Package: 5 percent oxidized fuel components

5 percent soluble metal

catalysts 2 percent water

Initial oxygen pressure: 620.6 KPa (90 psi).

Test results of six ASTM engine sequence HID reference

oils using the above test conditions are summarized in Table

8. As shown, the results correlate well with the engine test results. The "pass" oils have much higher oxidation induction times (155 to 273 min) than the "fail" oils (39 to 60

min). The separation between the "pass" and "fail" oils is more than 90 min. Further, the ranking of the oil is correct

for all the oils, and the repeatability of the test is within 5 percent for all the reference oils. Eighteen commercial oils selected at random (13 API SF

and 6 API SE classifications) were also tested with the new

procedure. Different SAE viscosity grades from different

oil manufacturers were selected. The oxidation induction

times of those oils are summarized in Table 9. The induction time of the 6 SE oils ranges from 87 to 138 min, and of the

13 SF oils, the range is 87 to 210 min. These oxidation induction times fall within the range of the HID reference

oils (39 min to 273 min).

CONCLUSIONS

A high-pressure, thin-film, oxygen absorption test has been developed using an existing commercial oxidation apparatus. The results of the test correlate with the ASTM

sequence HID engine test data as demonstrated by the ASTM

engine test stand reference oils. The study shows that it is important to understand the oil degradation mechanisms

in engines so that bench test simulation can be achieved by providing a similar chemical environment for the key chemical reaction pathway. The study also shows that mixed metals and the fuel blow-by have significant impact on engine

oil degradation. The optimization studies on the catalyst combination and concentration suggest that it is necessary

to have the proper catalyst combinations and concentrations. The simulation is successful only when both require- ments are met.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors wish to express their thanks to the Recycled

Oil Program, Office of Recycled Materials for their gen- erous support of this work.

REFERENCES

(/) ASTM D2272, 1981 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Part24. 'Oxidation

Stability of Steam Turbine Oils by Rotating Bomb." ASTM. Philadelphia

(1981). pp 289-298.

(2) ASTM D943, 1981 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Part 23, "Oxidation

Characteristics of Inhibited Mineral Oils," ASTM. Philadelphia (1981). pp 437-450

294
Table 7

Effects of Catalys r Package Concentration on Oxidation Stability of Reference Oils Conditions: I60°C

620.6 KPa Oxygen 2% Water 15 g of Oil Sample

Concentration, % (Wt) Total Catalyst Oxidation Induction: Timf (Min) Fuel Catalyst Soluble Metal Concentration

Packace Package % Wl77B-1 79A A 10 10 20 38 45 B 10 5 15 57 95 C 10 2 12 100 95 D 5 5 10 58 158 E 5 2 7 125 210

Table 8Comparison of the New Oxygen Upt ake Test Results with HID Engine Test Results

Conditions: 1.5 g Oil 2% Water 5% Fuel Catalyst 5% Soluble Metal Catalyst Package (Pb/Fe/Cu/Mn/Sn)

160°C

620.6 KPa Oxygen (90 psig) HID Viscosity Induction Time (Min) Increase Oil Breakhours* Avg. % Std. dev Rank

76A-1 64 (Pass) 268 278 273 3 1 75B-1 56 (Pass) 200 186 193 5 2 79A 40 (Pass) 154 150 158 157 154 155 2 3 77B-1 24 (Fail) 58 60 60 61 61 60 2 4 77C 16 (Fail) 43 45 44 3 5 72A-1 16 (Fail) 40 38 39 4 5

These hours indicate the average hours of the reference oil reaching 3759! viscosity increase in ihe MID engine

tesr

Table 9Induction Times for Commkrciai Oils Using Oxygen Uptake Test

Condi itons: 1.5 g Oil 5% Soluble Melal Catalyst Package 2% Water 160° C 5% Fuel Catalyst 620.6 KPa Oxygen (90 psig)

Oil Grade Classification Induct ion Timf (Min) A 40 SF 87 B lOw-30 SF 103 C 10w-40 SF 130 D 10w-30 SF 160 E 20 SF 180 F IOw-40 SF 195 G 30 SF 132 H 30 SF 145

I 10w-40 SF 21]

J 30 SF 105 K 10w-30 SF 145 L IOw-40 SF 153 M 10w-40 SF 152 N 40 SE 87 O 5w-20 SE 138 P 10w-30 SE 99 Q IOw-40 SE 93 R lOw SE 119 S 30 SE 129

295
(?) Cvitkovic, t... Klaus, I- r . and Lxickwood. t\, A rhin-tilm I'csi lot Moasuiemcnt of Oxidation .mil Kvaporalion of Ester-iype Lubricants," ASU- Tram . 22, 4. pp 395-401 <1<*70)

(-}) Donne, R. VV . "Oxidation of White Oils." . 28, 1. pp

,2h-M) (1930).

(5) Manufacturing Standards, M(7B] 10-1, Kurd Motoi t ompatiy. Detroit, Ml

(6) Hsu, S M , "Review of Laboratory Bench 1'csis in Assessing The Per- formance ui Automotive Cr:tnk< asc ( >ils." t.ubi Engr , 37, 12. pp 722-

731 (1981)

(7) ( eve i"

, |

. "1 lie Met Nanism ol Deposit formation and (Control in (.as- oline F.ngincs," ACS Symposium, New York, Sepi . 1969

(8) Williams, A. I. "Uicqucr Precursor from a Paraf finu Lubricant Traced

bv Carbon 14," ACS Symposium. New York, Sept., 1969

(V) Vineyard, B D and ( >orau, A \ , "Gasoline Knginc Deposit: I Blnwh)

t ollct lion and ihe Identification of Deposit Pi ct ursoi s," ACS Sympostutu. New York, Sept . 1969

[10) ( oran, A > and Vineyard, B 1) . "Gasoline t ngine Deposit: II Sludge

Bindei ," \CS Symposium, New Yoi k. Sept . 1969.

( / / ) Dimitrot f . K. and Quillian, R D-, "Low Temperature r ngine sludge

What?—Where? —How','' Inietn.itton.il Automotive t'ng. Cong., Dct |an . 1965 SAr Paper No 1550255

{12) D ttofl, K., Molut. | V., and Quillian, K D , "Aromatic Compounds m 1-uels Identified .is Main Precursors of t.ngine Varnish," SAL /out . 77, 7. pp 52-5H (1969)

ill) Bet iv. K. and Wclwiet .A B., "Kinulsion Korniation in (Jasolinc Engine,"

I nut Inst. Petrol., 55, 544, pp 245-272 (1969).

(14) Spindl, R. S . Wolfe. C I. , and Stevens. I). R , "Nitrogen Oxides. Combuslion and t.ngine Deposits." SAP Tram . 64, pp 797-81 1 (1956). (M) Dimit roll, K., Mofitt, | V. and Quillian. R D.. "Why, What, and How:

t.ngine Varnish," ASME Tnuu.,J I i'h Trek., pp 406-410 (1969),

(/ft! Roger, 1) I , Rue. W W , and Jonach. t I... "Mechanism of Engine

Sludge formation and Additive Action," SAP Tram . 64, pp 783-81 I (1956).

( / 7) Anderson, D |., "Mechanism ol t.ngine Deposit and Wear A Progress Report," Jap. Petrol Inst Meeting. Tokyo, Japan. Ot t . 1968-

[IH) Cecil, R. "High Temperature Thickening of Motor Oils," _/ Inst of Petrol., 59, 569, pp 201-210 ( I973J

(/V) Kuhn, R R , "The Development ol a Lube Oil Oxidation and Thick- ening Bent h 'lest to Simulate the AS I M Sequence NIC t.ngine Test," Reprints, Div of Pet. ( hem . ACS Symposium, Chicago, III . Aug..

1973.

{20) Hot ten. B. W and King, |. M . "Lubi icatingOil Additive Composition,"

I s Patent No 4,032,462 (June 28, 1977)

(2/) Verlcy, (• M . "Lubricating Oil Detergcncy Testing," Li s Patent No

3,044.860 (Jul) 17, 1962).

(22) t'orbes, Y S and Wood, ] M . "Dcvclopmeni of a Bench Delergency

f est for Auiomotive Oils and its Correlation with the MS Sequence V

t.ngine Test," l&tX Product H&l). 8, 1. pp 48-54 (1969).

296
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674. Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982. (Issued July 1984).

THIN-FILM OXIDATION TEST: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPOSITION AND ADDITIVE RESPONSE FOR RE-REFINED OILS

C. S. Ku and S. M. Hsu

Chemical Stability and Tribology Group

Inorganic Materials Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

Sixteen re-refined lubricating base oils from various manufacturing processes were examined for oxidation stability using a NBS thin film oxygen uptake test. The

oils were tested with a commercial SE/CC detergent- inhibitor additive package.

Correlations among oxidation stability and chemical composition parameters such as saturates,' aromatics, polars, sulfur, chlorine, and total nitrogen content were

investigated. The key components that appear to affect oxidation stability of

re-refined base oils were found to be sulfur, total polar constituents and percent of

saturated hydrocarbons.

1. Introduction

In modern lubricants, chemical additives are added to base oils to enhance lubricant per- formance. The extent of improvement in performance due to the additive package is called additive

response. Recently, interest in chemical composition as a function of oxidation stability has

increased due to the use of mixed crudes in oil refining.

The use of recycled lubricating base oils presents similar problems because of the difficulty

encountered in defining the crude source for re-refined oils. Present Federal lubricant specifications (e.g., MIL-L-46152 and MIL-L-2104) require constancy of crude source, processing technology,

and additive package. Any change in these items requires the lubricant manufacturer to re-qualify

the lubricant including actual engine testing. It is clear that a better understanding of the

relationship between the chemical composition of base oils and their additive response is needed as

a basis for any future changes and improvements in base oil specifications and standards.

Sixteen re-^efined base oils from various manufacturing processes were selected for this study.

The relationship between oil composition and oxidation stability was examined. The oils were blended with a cbmmercial, SE/CC detergent/inhibitor package. The oxidation stabilities of the oils were then measured with the NBS-developed , thin-film oxygen uptake test, which has shown a correlation with HID engine test on ASTM reference oils [l] 1

.

1.1, Oxidation Stability of Virgin Base Oils

Base oils for automotive lubricants are complex mixtures of paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics,

and small amounts of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen containing compounds.

The molecules containing S, N, and 0 in addition to C and H are generally referred to as polar

compounds. Some of these complex polar compounds are referred to as "natural inhibitors." When all of the polar compounds are removed from the mineral oil fraction, the remaining hydrocarbons

generally are less resistant to oxidation, but are more responsive to synthetic oxidation inhibitors

These synthetic inhibitors include many compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; carbon,

hydrogen and nitrogen; carbon, hydrogen and sulfur as well as other combinations where two of the

three elements (S, N, and 0) are combined with C and H.

Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

297
The effect of these polar impurities on the oxidation of the hydrocarbon molecules ranges from

oxidation promotion to oxidation inhibition. The relatively small quantities of the polar

impurities, the complexity of the molecular structures, and the variation in molecular size make

separation and identification of a specific polar compound very difficult.

More success has been achieved in the separation or synthesis of the various classes of simple

hydrocarbons. Extensive studies of simple hydrocarbon oxidation are in general agreement that

oxidation proceeds by a free radical mechanism involving initiation, propagation, branching, and

termination steps [2].

The effects of hydrocarbon structure on oil oxidation stability have been studied by many

investigators [3-10]. These studies have been conducted with both simple model compounds and

fractions isolated from crude oils with various separation techniques. Many of the studies using

crude oil fractions cannot separate the effects due to the small amount of impurities and those of

the major hydrocarbon types. Some of the hydrocarbon oxidation data were determined in systems that were limited by oxygen diffusion and therefore, may not provide the true relative rates of oxidation

as the hydrocarbon type varies.

The temperature range used in most of the oxidation studies reviewed was between 100 and

200 °C. In this range, it appears that there are no major changes in the oxidation mechanism and

that oxidation rates can be related by the Arrhenius Law. Based on these considerations, some fundamental trends in the oxidation of various types of hydrocarbons can be obtained from the

1 iterature.

Cranton [3] studied the effects of various types of aromatics on paraffin-naphthene mixtures

using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) at 170 °C and 190 °C. A solvent extracted mineral oil

fraction from mid-continent crude was separated into saturated and aromatic fractions by silica gel

separation and thermal diffusion. Through DSC analyses, Cranton found that alkylbenzene and

naphthenobenzene decreased the stability of a saturate fraction containing isoparaff ins. These same compounds had either no effect or even increased the stability of highly condensed naphthenes.

Polynuclear aromatics were found to inhibit the oxidation of all saturate fractions.

Fenske [4] studied the oxidation of various fractions from a Pennsylvania neutral cut at 140 °C to 180 °C in a bulk oil oxidation system. He found that an optimum aromatic content of 15 to 25

percent in base oils gave the best oxidation stability. Larsen [5] studied a large number of pure

hydrocarbon model compounds at three temperatures (110 °C, 130 °C), and 150 °C) using an oxygen

absorption apparatus in a bulk oil system. He found that saturated hydrocarbons (paraffins or cyclic paraffins) oxidized easily producing similar oxidation products. Aromatics containing a benzene ring attached to a saturated side chain or ring structure were very active and also oxidized

easily. He suggested that the hydrogen (of the saturate chain) alpha to the aromatic ring provided

an active site for oxidation. Naphthalene and other polynuclear aromatics were very stable to oxidation. Larsen indicated that the formation of these inhibitors explained the autoretardation

phenomena found during his oxygen uptake experiments.

Denison [6,7] demonstrated in a bulk oil system that the natural sulfur compounds present in

oil affected the oil's oxidation stability. He found that, after removing natural sulfur compounds,

the oil had little resistance to oxidation. Using model compounds, he concluded that compounds such

as monosulfides (except diaryl compounds), mercaptans, disulfides, and thiophene reduced oxidation.

Tierney [8] in a bulk oil oxidation study found that lubricating oils from mid-continent crudes had

high oxidation stability (low oxygen absorption rate) if 0.15 to 0.2 percent sulfur was retained

through the oil refining process. Below this concentration level, the oils became increasingly

unstable oxidatively. Higher level of sulfur compounds than 0.15 to 0.2 percent in oils again

decreased the oxidation stability due to the formation of deleterious sulfur oxidation products.

Therefore, the sulfur level should be kept at an optimum level depending on the crude source.

Korcek [9], using a bulk oxidation system, studied the behavior of base oils (used for

automotive transmission fluids) at 180 °C. He found that the relative oxidation stability of base

oils depended on the sulfur and aromatic contents at a low level of oxidation (0.1 moles of oxygen

absorbed per liter of oil). This relative value is based on the inhibitor effect of the sulfur and

aromatics. However, at a high degree of oxidation (0.4 moles of oxygen per liter of oil), the

aliphatic content of the base oil became significant. At this point the oxidative behavior of the

bulk fluid becomes more important. Correlation was obtained only after including a paraffinic/naphthenic ratio as a composition parameter.

298
Very little work has been published on the effects of the naturally occurring oxygen and

nitrogen compounds on the oil's oxidation stability [10]. In general, oxygen and nitrogen content

is lower than the sulfur content and more difficult to measure precisely.

In summary, some aromatics and sulfur compounds in virgin base oils as produced appear to inhibit oxidation of oil. Sulfur compounds and polynuclear aromatics, while inhibiting oxidation,

tend to form oil insoluble products when oxidation occurs. Saturated chains attached to an aromatic

ring provide a point of vulnerability for oxidation at the hydrogen alpha to the aromatic ring. The

role of naturally occurring oxygen and nitrogen compounds appears to be that of promoting oxidation,

but very little work has been reported.

1.2. Characteristics of Re-Refined Base Oils

Basestocks for re-refined lubricating oils are derived from the reprocessing of used lubricants

to remove contaminants, oxidized products, and residual additives. A recent study [11] at NBS has

indicated that, in several properties that are considered to influence oil quality, the re-refined

base oils show higher values than the virgin base oils. These properties include total acid number,

chlorine content, saponification number, bromine content, ash, and carbon residue. The saturated

hydrocarbon and aromatic contents of re-refined base oils are comparable to those of virgin base

oils. However, the polar content of re-refined oils is higher than that of the virgin base oils

[11].

The changes noted in re-refined base oils must be explained by the events that occur in the

engine during the use cycle and in the re-refining processing steps. In the first case, the engine

provides an environment where oxidation may occur, but the thermal environment is mild enough to preclude extensive hydrocarbon molecular structure changes from thermal or catalytic reactions. If

a particular type of hydrocarbon is preferentially oxidized, that type of hydrocarbon would decrease

and the more stable hydrocarbon types would increase. The re-refining processes are primarily

separation techniques to remove undesirable products acquired through contamination or degradation

reactions in the engine. Therefore, during refining, there should be no increase in a hydrocarbon

type by addition or formation. The early studies [12] generally confirm that the basic hydrocarbon

structures are not altered in the use and/or re-refining processes. The re-rcfined oils have a measurably higher content of polar material [11]. The four sources for additional polar materials

over those in the virgin base oil are the use of additive package in the lubricant; the oxidative

degradation of the lubricant in the engine; the lubricant-metal interaction to produce corrosion

products; and the addition of contaminants from the combustion chamber. The polar content of the

used lubricant is much higher than the polar content of the charge stocks from which the base oil is refined. This makes the removal of the polar compounds in the re-refining process more difficult

than it is in the refining of the virgin base oil. All of the increases in non- hydrocarbon

constituents of the re-refined base oils over those of the virgin base oils are directly related to this increase of polar constituents in used oils.

The basic hydrocarbon types in the re-refined basestocks appear to be the same as those in the

virgin stocks. There appear to be no unexpected shifts in concentrations of the major hydrocarbon

type constituents.

Sixteen re-refined automotive base oils representing various manufacturing processes and

geographic areas were selected for this study. The chemical and physical properties of the oils are summarized in table 1. As shown, these re-refined base oils have relatively uniform composition

with regard to saturates (72.5 - 78.4 percent), and aromatics (20.6 - 24.4 percent). The

viscosities of the oils vary from 130N to 430N.

High chlorine content (0.49 - 1140 ppm) in re-refined oils relative to virgin base oils appears

to be a major chemical characteristic of the re-refined base oils. The presence of chlorine may be

traced to the lead scavenger used in gasoline, ethylene di chloride, which finds its way into the

used oil through fuel dilution and blow-by. Another potential source for chlorine is through used

oil contamination by chlorinated solvents, electrical transformer oil (containing polychlorinated

biphenyls), and cutting oils (containing chlorinated additives). It should be noted that the two highest chlorine levels in the re-refined oils shown in table 1 were not from currently existing

re-refiners, but were included to evaluate the highest range of chlorine in this study.

The saponification numbers and acid numbers shown in table 1 for the re-refined base oils are indicative of the oxygen content in these products.

299
Table 1. Analyses of re-refined oils

Oil

Avg

Mol ecul ar Viscosity Weight

Hydrocarbon Total

Type Sulfur Acid Total Chlorine

Analyses Content Number Nitrogen Content

cSt sus NAA

(40 °C) (100 °F) g/mole Sat Aro Polar wt% mgKOH/g ppm PPm

A ft! 9 430 480 7^/ o QJ L. O 0 c D nu 1 7 47 9.2

B 57 7 300 482 77 u ?fl 0 ? *+ n nu U / D 9 13

C 73 5 380 501 75 7, ?? -J 9t- 0 nu n 1 ft 18 190

D 60 3 310 488 77 u ?0c u 7

1-L 7 IIuf»u 17 8.0

E 48 2 250 432 75 Q 4

1

-I 7 n 1 ft u HQ 21 6.6

F 78 1 410 516 77 5 21 1 1 4 0 14 0 102 9 8.3

G 66 6 340 495 75 3 22 6 2 1 0 19 0 18 20 13.6

H 52 7 270 454 78 0 20 6 1. 8 0 18 0 14 13 19.4

I 79 5 410 515 76 9 20 9 2 2 0 17 0 27 28 1140

J 41. 5 210 433 72 5 24 1 3 4 0 25 1 69 24 906

K 26. 6 140 384 78 o 20 6 4 o 24 o •J -J 64 37.8

L 62. 1 320 499 78. 4 20 5 1 1 0 14 0 02 14 29.0

M 28. 8 150 390 75 0 22. 7 2 2 0. 28 0. 45 74 102

N 66. 3 340 494 75. 3 22. 8 1. 9 0 23 0. 01 46 7.7

0 37. 6 190 409 74. 4 24. 4 1. 2 0 23 0. 00 21 4.9

P 61. 3 320 494 75. 7 23. 8 0 5 0. 05 0. 02 20 0.49

min 28. 8 130 409 72. 5 20. 6 1. 1 0. 05 0. 00 9 0.49

Range max 81. 9 430 501 78. 4 24. 4 3. 4 0. Z8 0. 81 64 1140

Nitrogen is added to lubricants as oxidation inhibitors and dispersants in the additive

package. NO enters the crankcase as part of the blow-by gas and may react with the oil. The

nitrogen found in re-refined oils is less than that in the virgin basestocks. The analytical data

indicate that the re-refining process is effective in removing nitrogen containing materials from

the oil and suggest that the nitrogen left in the re-refined base oil is different from that

originally in the virgin stocks.

Large amounts of sulfur are added to the virgin base oil as a part of the additive package.

Sulfur also enters the crankcase as blow-by gases from the combustion process with fuels containing

sulfur. The sulfur level of the re-refined base oils is slightly higher than that of the virgin

stocks. These data indicate that the re-refining process is successful in removing a portion of the

sulfur found in the used lubricants. The sulfur present in the virgin stocks and the sulfur present

in the re-refined stock show opposite effects on the additive response of the respective virgin and

re-refined base oils. This finding, which will be discussed in the following section, indicates

clearly that the sulfur-type compounds left in by the two refining processes are quite different.

300
Since the contaminant elements of S, N, and 0 are the same in virgin and re-refined stocks and

many of the simple test methods for measuring the problems caused by these contaminants are the

same, more work needs to be done to develop tests to predict significant performance differences if they do in fact exist. This study is designed to provide oxidation data which can then be compared

with the amounts of non-hydrocarbon constituents and other simple analytical test data.

A thin-film oxygen uptake test (TFOUT) is used for the oxidation studies of the base oils. The test has been found to correlate with ASTM sequence HID engine test on HID reference oils [1,13].

Re-refined base oils are blended with 7 weight percent of a commercial SE/CC additive package that

contains antioxidant, antiwear agent, and detergent-dispersant agents. The formulated oils are then

mixed with 3 percent of a soluble-metal-catalyst package, 3 percent of a fuel catalyst, and 2 percent of water. The metals, fuel catalyst, and water are used to simulate key chemical

environments in an engine. The oxidation test is performed at 160 °C with 620 KPa of initial oxygen

charged.

The oxidation stability of an oil is indicated by the induction time of the oil. The induction

time is defined as the time period, in minutes, from the beginning of the test to the time when the

bomb pressure begins to decrease due to oxygen absorption by the oil sample.

Oxidation induction times of the 16 re-refined base oils, blended with 7 weight percent of a commercial SE/CC additive package, are given in table 2. The induction times of the oils range from

110 to 199 minutes. Since the thin-film oxygen uptake test simulates the chemical environment in the engine, these results should reflect the oxidation stabilities of these oils under engine

conditions. Typical data for some re-refined base oils without any additives are shown in table 3. The induction times of the base oils tested all fall in a narrow range from 12 to 18 minutes.

Therefore, the oxidation stability of the re-refined base oils containing the commercial additive

package is due primarily to the additive package. A similar study on virgin oil basestocks before

and after compounding has also been published [13].

2. Experimental

3. Results and Discussions

Table 2. Oxidation induction times of re-refined base oils with a SE/CC additive package

Conditions: 1.5 g Oil

3% Fuel Catalyst

3% Metal Catalyst

160 °C

620.6 KPa Oxygen (90 psig)

7 wt% Additive Package

Oil

Viscosity

SUS (37.78 °C)

Oxidation Induction Time,

mi n

A

BC

D

EFG

H

IJ

K

LM

N0

P

430

300

380

310

250

410

340

270

210

410

130

290

140

310

180

280

138

182

153

182

160

192

150

172

110

164

158

169

125

133

160

199

301
Table 3. Oxidation induction times of typeical re-refined oils

without additive package

Oxidation Induction Time,

Oi 1 min

A 18

C 12

E 14

G 15

I 17

J 15

The relationships between the oxidation times of the formulated re-refined base oils and the

concentrations of sulfur, nitrogen, chlorine, polar compounds, aromatics, and paraffins were

examined. Since acid number change is associated with oxidation [14], the oxidation of the

compounded re-refined basestocks were also compared with the acid number.

Figures 1 through 7 show plots of individual compositional parameters as a function of TFOUT

induction time. Included on each plot is the cross correlation coefficient indicating the degree to which the variables are linearly related. Also included on the plots is the F statistic indicating

the significance of the regression coefficient. A summary of the linear correlations between

oxidation induction times and individual compositional parameter is given in table 4.

The component showing the best correlation with oxidation will be discussed first. The effect

of sulfur content on oxidation stability is shown on figure 1. These data cover a reasonable range

of sulfur concentration and show the highest correlation coefficient with TFOUT oxidation induction

time. Four of the points on figure 1 that fall well off the curve at 0.25, 0.25, 0.23, and 0.17

percent sulfur also show a high value of acid number/and or nitrogen concentration. Both of these

factors could contribute to the oxidative behavior. It should be emphasized that the correlation

coefficient in this case is negative, indicating that more sulfur results in a reduction of

oxidation stability. This information may be compared with comparable data obtained for the virgin

base oils in a previous publication [13]. With the virgin basestocks and the same additive package,

the sulfur content results in a low correlation coefficient of 0.08 but with a positive slope.

These data agree in general with the idea that the sulfur compounds present in many virgin

basestocks act as oxidation inhibitors. The primary reason for the low coefficient is probably

related to the interaction between the sulfur as a natural inhibitor and the additive package used.

It is clear that the sulfur compounds left in the re-refined base oil are different from those in the virgin stocks. Much of the original sulfur in virgin oils would have been chemically reacted in the engine. This sulfur containing reaction products together with sulfur from the additive

package, and the blow-by from the combustion products form the total sulfur pool in used oils fed to the re-refiner. It is clear that sulfur in the re-refined base oil should be kept low because it

adversely effects oxidation stability. The sulfur content in virgin base oils does not have a significant adverse effect on the oxidation stability [13].

The effect of polar compounds on oxidation stability is shown on figure 2. The polar compounds

consist of compounds containing oxygen and nitrogen as well as sulfur. The correlation coefficient

of the effect of polar compounds on oxidation stable life is -0.71 indicating a reduction in

oxidation stablility with increasing concentration of polar materials. The polar fraction includes

the oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen containing molecules left in the re-refined base oil. The nitrogen

and oxygen containing material would also be expected to cause reduced oxidation stability since

they represent residual materials from the degraded and contaminated oil. The data on the effect of

polar materials on oxidation stable life with the virgin base oils shows a -0.20 correlation

coefficient [13]. In the virgin stocks, the change between the effect of sulfur and the polar

materials would indicate that the oxygen and nitrogen containing materials have a significant

deleterious effect on oxidation which dominates the positive effect of sulfur. In the re-refined

base oils, the negative effect of the sulfur on the oxidation is the dominant effect while the

oxygen and nitrogen containing materials appear to have a somewhat less negative effect than sulfur.

Again, there is some indication that the oxygen and nitrogen containing compounds present in the

re-refined base oils are different in structure and effect from those present in the virgin base

oil.

302
220

0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30

Sulfur, Wt %

Figure 1. Effect of sulfur compounds on oxidation induction time (7 wt% additives).

Table 4. Summary of correlation between re-refined base oil composition and

oxidation induction times

Parameter Correlation Coefficient Tail Significance*3

Saturate 0.71 18 0.002

Aromatic -0.49 4 0.057

Sulfur -0.84 34 0.000

Polars -0.71 14 0.002

Total Nitrogen -0.58 7 0.018

TAN -0.63 9 0.009

Chi ori ne -0.34 2 0.194

Sap. No. -0.71 14 0.002

a

F Statistics.

''Tail Significance = Probability that the correlation is due to pure chance.

The effect of the saturated hydrocarbon portion of the re- refined base oils is shown on figure

3. These data show a 0.71 correlation coefficient indicating that the higher the portion of

saturated hydrocarbons in the re-refined base oil, the better the resultant oxidation stability.

This result agrees with the previous study [13] on virgin base oils. The correlation coefficient of

0.67 with the virgin base oils is about the same as the 0.71 value determined for the re-refined

base oils. The concentration range of percent saturates for the virgin base oils was about 30 percent (57 to 87 percent) while the range for the refined stocks was only about 6 percent (72.5 to

78. 5 percent).

303
200 •

F = 1 4

0.5 I.O 1. 5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

Polars, Wt %

Figure 2. Effect of polar compounds on oxidation induction time (7 wt% additives).

200

72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79

Saturates, W t %

Figure 3. Effect of saturates on oxidation induction time (7 wt% additives).

The effect of aromatic hydrocarbon concentration on the oxidation stable life is shown on figure 4 with a correlation coefficient of -0.49. With a F statistic of 4, the correlation is not significant. This compares with a correlation coefficient of - 0.65 for the aromatic hydrocarbon

concentration as a function of oxidation stable life for the virgin base oils [13]. As was the case with the percent saturates, there is a problem with the limited concentration range of 4.5 percent

for the re-refined base oils compared with a range of about 26 percent for the virgin base oils.

The general overall trend of oxidation stable life appears to decrease with increasing aromatic

content. From the literature result [11] discussed in a previous section of this report, it appears

that the polynuclear aromatic concentration is higher in the re-refined base oils than in the virgin

stocks. It appears that improved correlation with aromatic content of the oil might depend on better definition of the various types of aromatic compounds present, i.e., mononuclear, binuclear,

or polynuclear.

304
Figure 4. Effect of aromatics on oxidation induction time (7 wt% additives).

The effect of total acid number on oxidation stable life is shown on figure 5 with a correlation coefficient of -0.63. Again, with a F statistic of 9, the correlation is not statistically

significant. Overall, high acid number values appear to cause some loss in stable life. Acidity

increase is a commonly used measure of oxidation and a large increase in acid number is indicative

of the end of the stable life. Overbasing with additives is an effective way of controlling both

oxidation and acidity increase.

200 •

I 160 J,

c.c. = -0.63

F = 9

100 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25 1.50

Totol Acid Number, mg KoH/g

Figure 5. Effect of total acid number on oxidation induction time (7 wt% additives).

The effect of nitrogen concentration on oxygen stable life is shown on figure 6 with a correlation coefficient of -0.58. Again, the correlation is not statistically significant. The

behavior of sulfur and nitrogen in the re-refined base oils appear to be similar. The nitrogen

levels in the re-refined base oils are lower than those in the virgin basestocks. The nitrogen

compounds in virgin oils, as well as nitrogen containing oxidation inhibitors added to the oil, tend

to become a part of an insoluble reaction product in the early stages of oxidation. The nitrogen

content of the re-refined base oils is probably derived from the nitrogen residues either from the

additives used for stability and dispersancy or from NO "blow-by" contaminants that reacted with

the lubricant.

305
200

.| 180

E

160 co

u| '40 cgI 120 O

100 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Totol Nitroaen. PPM

Figure 6. Effect of total nitrogen content on oxidation induction time

(7 wt% additives).

The effect of chlorine content on oxidation stability is shown on figure 7 with a correlation

coefficient of -0.19. There is no statistically significant correlation between chlorine and the

oxidation stability. The sources of chlorine in re-refined base oils include: the residue from the

ethylene dichloride used as a fuel additive; degreasing agents (chlorinated hydrocarbons); and

contaminated lubricants containing polychl ori nated bipnenyl. The chlorine containing contaminants

mentioned show a wide range of stability. The wide scatter shown here suggests a wide range in the

stability of the chlorine containing compounds.

E 180

E

160

I

c L 140 c

x 120 O

c.c. = -0.34

F = 2

200 400 600 800

Chlorine Content , PPM

1000 1200

Figure 7. Effect of chlorine content on oxidation induction time (7 wt% additives).

3.1. Multi-Parameter Correlation

An all Possible Subsets Regression (PSR) computer statistical program [15] was used to select

the best linear regression equation for oxidation stability. The independent variables selected

306
were saturate content, sulfur content, total nitrogen number, total acid number, and chlorine

content. Aromatic content was not included in the regressor set because of its strong negative

correlation with saturate content. Similarly, polar fraction was found to be relatively dependent

on the sulfur content.

The program uses the Mallows' C Criterion to choose the "best" among the many possible linear

relationships. The C statistic usei a total squared error choice criterion, incorporating

consideration of bias^or offset from the true equation as well as the random error in the response

variable [16J. It also ascribes a penalty for adding independent variables into the regression

equation. A t-test is applied to check that the coefficients of the prediction equation chosen are significantly different from zero.

The analyses of these data indicate that the induction times linearly correlate best with a two variable regression equation as shown in figure 8:

Induction Time TFOUT = A * Saturates - B * Sulfur Content + C where A = 5.8, B = 277, and C = intercept as shown in figure 8.

200

340 360 380 400 420 440

5.8 x Saturates - 277 * Sulfur, Wt %

Figure 8. Effect of saturate and sulfur content on oxidation induction time

(7 wt% additives).

4. Conclusions

The effects of the same "contaminants" on oxidation can be different in virgin and re-refined

base oils [13]. The hydrocarbon types show similar effects on oxidation stability in both virgin

and re-refined base oils [13].

The oxidation stable life in the thin film oxidation uptake test for re-refined base oils

decreases with increasing concentrations of sulfur, polar compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, total

acid number, nitrogen, and chlorine. The oxidation stable life in the TFOUT test for re-refined

base oils appears to increase with the concentration of saturated hydrocarbons. The best correlation of oxidation stability with re-refined base oil constituents is obtained with sulfur, and the amount of saturated hydrocarbons. The correlation of oxidation stability with a combination of

sulfur content and percent of saturated hydrocarbons shows a significant enhancement over the

correlation with either component alone (table 8).

307
The authors wish to express their thanks to the Recycled Oil Program, Office of Recycled

Materials, National Bureau of Standards, for their support of the study. The authors would also

like to thank Dr. Stephan Weeks, Inorganic Materials Division and Dr. Stefan Leigh, Statistical

Engineering Division, for their comments and discussions.

5. References

[1] Ku, C. S. ; Hsu, S. M. A thin-film oxygen uptake test for evaluating automotive lube oils.

Lubrication Engineering 40, No. 2, 175-83; 1984.

[2] Mayo, F. R. Free-radical autoxidation of hydrocarbons. Acc. Chem. Res. 1, 193-201; 1968.

[3] Cranton, G. E. Composition and oxidation of petroleum fractions. Thermochimica Acta 14,

201-208; 1976.

[4] Fenske, M. R. ; et al. Oxidation of lubricating oils factors controlling oxidation stability.

I&EC 33, 516-524; 1941.

[5] Larsen, R. G. ; Thorpe, R. E; Armfield, F. A. Oxidation characteristics of pure hydrocarbons.

I&EC, 34, 183-193; 1942.

[6] Denison, G. H. Oxidation of lubricating oils-effect of natural sulfur compounds and of

peroxides. I&EC 36, 447-481; 1944.

[7] Denison, G. H; Condit, P. C. Oxidation of lubricating oils-mechanism of sulfur inhibition. I&EC

37, 1102-1108; 1945.

[8] Tierney, J. W. ; Taylor, R. E. Process for maintaining high oxidation stability in refining of

lubricating oils. U.S. Patent No. 2,793,982. Assigned to Pure Oil Company; May 1975.

[9] Korcek, S. ; Jensen, R. K. Relation between base oil composition and oxidation stability at increased temperatures. ASLE Transactions 19, 83-94; 1976.

[10] Zuidema, H. H. The performance of lubricating oils. Reinhold Publishing Co., N.Y. ; 1959.

[11] Hsu, S. M. ; Ku, C.S.; Becker, D. A. Re-refined base oil characterization and consistency

monitoring. SAE Paper No. 821240, SP-526, Society of Automotive Engineering 86-105; 1982.

[12] Whisman, M. L. ; et al. A summary of composition variations among 30 used lubricating oils

selected for seasonal and geo-graphical significance. ERDA-BERC Research Report 7614; 1976.

[13] Hsu, S. M. ; Ku, C. S. ; Lin, R. S. Relationship between lubricating basestock composition and

the effects of additives on oxidation stability. SAE Paper 821237, SP-526, Society of

Automotive Engineering, 29-56; 1982.

[14] Cartwright, S. J. C. ; Carey, L. R. Control of Engine Oil Acidity. SAE Paper No. 801366, SP-473,

Society of Automotive Engineering, 23-34; 1980.

[15] BMDP Statistical Software, Dept. of Biomathemati cs , University of California, Los Angeles,

University of California Press, 1981 edition.

[16] Daniel, C. ; Wood, F. Fitting equations to data. John Wiley and Sons, N.Y. ; 1971.

308
National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 674, Proceedings, Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil - IV, held at NBS, Gaithersburg, MD, September 14-16, 1982.

(Issued July 1984).

NBS PROVISIONAL TESTS FOR RE-REFINED ENGINE OIL

Donald A. Becker

Stephen Hsu

Recycled Oil Program

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

In Section 383(c) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6363(c)), the

Congress of the United States stated the following: "As soon as practicable after the date of

enactment of this Act, the National Bureau of Standards shall develop test procedures for the

determination of substantial equivalency of re-refined or otherwise processed used oil or blend of

oil, consisting of such re-refined or otherwise processed used oil and new oil or additives, with

new oil for a particular end use." The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) completed test procedures for recycled oil used as burner fuel in 1978 [l] 1

. This present paper, together with

other papers delivered at this conference and in other publications, summarizes NBS efforts to provide a coherent methodology for establishing the substantial equivalency between re- refined and

virgin engine crankcase oils. Further, this paper describes a set of proposed provisional test procedures which can be used to establish the consistency of re-refined engine crankcase oil.

There has been sufficient engine and field testing of re-refined engine oils to establish that:

(a) a high quality re-refined engine crankcase lubricating oil formulated with an appropriate engine

oil additive package can be substantially equivalent to a virgin oil similarly formulated, and (b)

that both of these oils will provide adequate performance in most types of automotive service

[2-15]. The strategy that NBS has adopted in providing a methodology for establishing this

substantial equivalency of re-refined engine oils on a routine basis, first calls for the formulated

oil quality to be determined by means of all current industry required performance tests. At present, these tests are primarily engine tests, and include the I ID , HID, VD and L-38 tests for

API (American Petroleum Institute) Service Classification SF, with addition of the single cylinder

1-H2 test for the SF/CC classification and the MIL-L-46152B military specification (see section 1.1

of this paper and also table 1).

Further, after the quality of the formulated re-refined oil has been established through engine

testing, the consistency of the re-refined basestock can then be monitored as a function of time

through use of the consistency tests described in section 1.2 of this paper. The concept of engine

testing for quality, combined with consistency monitoring by means of chemical, physical and bench tests (if needed) has been discussed previously [16-18] and is included in the current military

specification for administrative vehicle engine crankcase oil (MIL-L-46152B).

This basic stategy is shown schematically in figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is the proposed

re-refined oil engine testing procedure. Figure 2 is the proposed re-refined oil consistency

monitoring procedure, which can be used to monitor the re-refined oil once quality has been

established through appropriate engine testing (and other tests, if required by the desired

specification). These procedures will be described in more detail later in this paper.

1. Proposed Test Procedures For Re-refined Oil

1.1. Performance Tests (Qualification Procedure)

The performance tests as proposed for the use with re-refined oil are identical to those

necessary for the various API engine service classifications and the military specifications for

engine oil, and are listed in table 1 [19]. The primary performance criteria for these tests are also found in reference [19], and details about the tests can be found in references [20-23].

figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

309
PROPOSED BASESTOCK

J CHARACTERIZATION

TESTS

BLEND

PROPOSED BENCH

TESTS FOR ADDITIVE RESPONSE

_[fADDITIVE \1 "V PACKAGE /

INDUSTRY

PERFORMANCE

TESTS

YES

"SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCY"

(Qualified Re-refined Oil)

Figure 1. Proposed re-refined engine oil qualification procedure.

310
PRIMARY CONSISTENCY

TEST

PROCEDURES

NO

O.K.?

REJECT

OR

RE-QUALIFY

CONSISTENT

(Maintains Qualification)

Figure 2. Proposed re-refined engine oil consistency monitoring procedure.

311
Table 1. General requirements for API engine service

classifications and U.S. military specifications

API Engine Service Use Current Engine Test Requirements'

SA

SB*"

SC

SD

SE

SF

CA

CB

CC

CD

MIL-L-46152B

MIL-L-2104C

Uti 1 ity Gasol ine or

Diesel Engines

Minimum Duty

Gasoline Engines

1964- 1967-Gasol ine

Engine Warranty

Service

1968-1970 (some 1971)

Gasoline Engine

Warranty Service

1971 (some 1971)-

1979-Gasol i ne Engine

Warranty Service

1980 and newer- Gasoline Engine

Warranty Service

Light Duty Diesel

Engine Service

Moderate Duty Diesel

Engine Service

Moderate Duty Diesel

and Gasoline Engine

Service; (includes

some current automotive

requi rements

Severe Duty Diesel

Engine Service

Military specification for crankcase

lubricants for administrative vehicles

(approximately equivalent

to a SF/CC lubricant)

none

Sequence IV (obsolete);

L-38

Sequences IIA, IIIA, IV, V and L-l

(all obsolete); L-38

Sequences IIB, IIIB, IV, VB, L-l or 1-H, Falcon (all obsolete); L-38

Sequences 1 1 D , HID, VD; L-38

Sequences IID, HID, VD;

C L-38

L-l (obsolete); L-38

L-l (obsolete); L-38

LTD (obsolete); L-38, IID, 1-H2

1-G2, L-38

IID, HID, IVD, L-38, 1-H2

Military specification for crankcase

lubricants for heavy

duty diesel engines

(approximately equivalent to a SC/CD lubricant)

IID, HID, VD, L-38, 1-G2

Obtained from the 1981 SAE Handbook, reference 19. Old engine service classifications; should not be used in any engine

unless specifically recommended by manufacturer.

c Sequence tests for SF have different performance criteria than for

. the SE classification.

Not an API service classification, but a separate military specification.

312
Table 2. Proposed provisional test procedures

Characterization Tests

API Gravity (Density)

Viscosity Index

Pour Point

Flash Point

Sulfated Ash

Total Acid No. (TAN)

Saponification No. (SAP. NO.)

Clay-gel Chromatography

Chlorine Analysis

Boiling Point Dist. by GC

Infrared Spectroscopy

Metals Analysis

Thin Film Oxygen Uptake Test (TFOUT)

Four ball Step Loading

Seizure Test (SLST)

Bearing Corrosion Test

Reference

ASTM D 287

ASTM D 2270

ASTM D 97

ASTM D 92

ASTM D 874(M)

;

ASTM D 664

ASTM D 94

ASTM D 2007

(37)

ASTM D 2887

b

AA, ES

(35)

(38)

(40)

C

Provisional

Consistency Tests Primary Secondary

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

c As modified; see reference 39. See manufacturers literature for determination of relative carbonyl absorption.

NBS research on this test is not complete; reference 40 appears to provide a test with

appropriate correlation to the L-38 engine test.

Re-refined oils to be engine tested and monitored for consistency under the proposed system

described in sections 1.1 and 1.2 of this paper usually will have been fully formulated with an engine oil crankcase additive package. Initially, it is necessary that the oil be found to provide

acceptable performance with that specific additive package and at that specific treat level. The

actual engine testing may be obtained through various means (e.g., purchased at commercial test facilities, run by additive supplier as a customer service).

Concurrent with the engine testing, in order to implement the proposed system discussed in this paper, a complete set of base oil characterization tests (as described in section 1.2) must be

performed using that same re-refined base oil (and formulated oil, to be used with the bench test

for additive response). These steps are necessary in order to determine the baseline data required

to monitor the basestock consistency (section 1.2).

Any proposed system of tests, such as that proposed here should be applicable to the complete

spectrum of oils available in the marketplace. Thus, the API service classifications include, in additon to the SF category, oils classified as SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, CA, CB, CC and CD. These are described in table 1, along with their current engine test requirements as taken from reference

[19]. Where such classifications are accepted by the lubricant industry, it could be expected that

re-refined oil would need to meet the same testing requirements as the virgin engine crankcase oils.

313
However, for some of the API service classifications, the engine tests are obsolete or no engine tests are required. While these oils may represent only 20 or 30 percent of the engine oil market,

nevertheless some oils in these classifications are actively produced and marketed, and are at least

tolerated by the lubricant and automotive industries. For example, in the API Service

Classification SA, no engine tests or other tests are currently required for either virgin or re-refined oils. Therefore, in the system proposed in figure 1 as well as in current industry

requirements, a re-refined oil would meet the requirements for substantial equivalency to an SA virgin oil with no testing. This situation would exist until such time as testing requirements are instituted by the API for their Service Classification SA.

1.2. Provisional Tests for Re-Refined Basestock Consistency

For the past four years, the NBS Recycled Oil Program has maintained an extensive research

effort on lubricating base oil characterization and testing. That research has culminated in a series of publications detailing the evaluation of existing test procedures for use with re-refined

oils, the development of new tests where existing tests were not adequate, and the determination of

which characteristics of re-refined oil should be tested in order to monitor consistency in a re-refined oil already shown to be capable of producing a high quality crankcase oil.

These publications include many of the papers presented in this conference, as well as a number

of additional papers already published or in the process of publication [24-39]. In particular, the

paper entitled, "Re-refined Base Oil Characterization and Consistency Monitoring", summarizes the

data and findings of this research effort [24]. Subjects covered in reference [24] include:

Lubricating base oil quality; re- refined base oil characterization; comparison between re- refined

and virgin base oils; physical properties; chemical properties; hydrocarbon structures; effect of

viscosity grades on properties; contaminant isolation and analysis; bench performance

characterization of oxidation and wear; base oil composition-oxidation performance correlation; and

consistency of re-refined base oils.

The data and results presented in these publications are far too extensive to discuss in detail

here. But, in summary, the results thus far show that some re-refined base oils, when compared to a set of typical medium to low sulfur crude derived virgin base oils in approximately the same viscosity grades, showed measureable and real differences in some characteristics (e.g., oxyacids,

VI improvers, chlorine, additive/wear metals) and in some test results (e.g., total acid number

(TAN), saponification number (SAP. NO.). Since the effect of all such variations on performance is still not well understood, a two level testing system is being proposed for the measurement of

re-refined oil consistency, as shown in figure 2 and table 2. Initially, the re-refined base oil

undergoing engine testing would be characterized using the following physical/chemical tests: API gravity, viscosity index, pour point, flash point, sulfated ash, TAN, SAP NO., clay-gel

chromatography, chlorine, boiling point distribution by gas chromatography, infrared spectroscopy,

and metals analysis (e.g., by atomic absorption (AA) or emission spectroscopy (ES)). Further, after

formulation with the additive package, the following bench tests would be made: NBS thin film

oxygen uptake test (TFOUT), NBS four-ball step loading seizure test (SLST), and a bearing corrosion

test.

The resulting data would then be used to establish a set of limits for each of the above

tests. Consideration would also be given to the repeatability and reproducibility of these tests as established by ASTM or other means. The actual procedure to be used in obtaining these test limits

probably should be developed by joint government/industry/ASTM groups. Once appropriate limits have

been established, subsequent production samples of re-refined oils can be tested without additives

in seven tests: API gravity, viscosity index, pour point, flash point, sulfated ash, TAN and SAP.

NO. If the base oil falls within the preset limits, the oil is then blended with the same additive

package used to pass the engine tests, and tested in the TFOUT test. If the TFOUT test result meets the preset limits, the re-refined base oil could then be declared consistent.

However, if the re-refined base oil fails to meet the limit(s) in one or more parameters, then one or more additional tests are indicated. The additional tests needed to further evaluate the

characteristics for each of the primary tests are listed in table 3. Results from the additional tests should be compared with the baseline characterization test results of the initial sample. If the results deviate significantly from the preset limit(s), the sample under test should be rejected

as inconsistent. The overall characterization scheme is shown in figure 1 and table 2, and the

consistency monitoring scheme in figure 2 and table 2.

314
Table 3. Provisional tests for consistency monitoring

Primary Test

API Gravity3

Viscosity index

Pour point

Flash point

Sulfated ash

TAN

Saponification number

NBS TFOUT test

Secondary Test (if the Oil Fails to Meet the Limits of the Primary Test

ASTM D-2007 (saturates)

ASTM D-2007 (polars)

ASTM D-2007 (aromatics and saturates)

Boiling Point Distribution by GC

Metal analysis by AA/ES

Chlorine + bearing corrosion test

+ 4 ball wear test (SLST)

Chlorine + carbonyl by IR + 4 ball wear test (SLST)

Reject

Equivalent to density/specific gravity.

The success of this proposed consistency monitoring system relies heavily on the reasonableness

and technical soundness of the limits derived from the initial characterization testing. One method

to obtain data to support development of the test limits would be to use the ASTM/NBS Basestock

Consistency Study [29] samples in the various proposed tests. Final results can then be verified by

subsequent engine testing.

2. Conclusion

The engine oil testing system as proposed in this paper should be capable of providing an adequate methodology for establishing and monitoring the substantial equivalency of re-refined

lubricating oil basestocks to be used as engine crankcase oil. Performance tests, including

particularly the engine tests, part one of the testing system, are fully fully accepted throughout

the lubricant industry as indicators of engine oil quality. Part two of the testing system, the set

of provisional physical/chemical/additive response tests to monitor consistency in the re-refined

oil basestock, provides a mechnaism to reduce the required level of costly engine testing while

maintaining oil quality.

With respect to the set of provisional tests for consistency described in this paper, a period

of verification of these tests would appear to be necessary before full implementation should be

attempted. That is, a controlled application of these tests to re-refined oils over a period of

time is needed to insure that the tests are completely capable of fulfilling the requirements of

consistency monitoring. Upon successful completion of such a verification process, the provisional

re-refined engine oil testing system as described should be an acceptable procedure for establishing

that a re-refined engine oil product is substantially equivalent to a virgin engine oil.

3. References

[1] Becker, D. A. and Comeford, J. J. Recycled oil program: phase I-test procedures for recycled

oil used as burner fuel. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Tech. Note 1130; 1980.

[2] Sam, F. Chevron research's experiences with re-refined oils. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec.

Publ. 488; 1977. 69 p.

[3] Bowen, T. C. The EPA/DOD investigation of re-refined engine oil. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.)

Spec. Publ. 556; 1979. 117 p.

315
[4] Ulrichson, D. L. ; Yake, D. E. Iowa re-refined oil fleet test. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec.

Publ. 556; 1979. 123 p.

[5] Linnard, R. E. Phillips recycled oil program. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 556; 1979. 133 p.

[6] Becker, D. A. Testing and use of re-refined engine oils in Europe. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.)

Spec. Publ. 556; 1979. 141 p.

[7] Pedal 1, R. F. Field experiences with re-refined motor oil. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec.

Publ. 556; 1979. 171 p.

[8] Armstrong, J. Field test of re-refined automotive engine oil in RCMP vehicles. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 584; 1980. 55 p.

[9] Linnard, R. E. PROP re-refined oil engine test performance. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec.

Publ. 584; 1980. 69 p.

[10] Reynolds, J. W. ; Whisman, M. L. ; Thompson, C. J. Engine sequence testing of re-refined

lubricating oils, S.A.E. paper no. 770431; Society of Automotive Engineers; Warrendale, PA; 1977. (Also published as Report No. BERC/OP-76/29)

[11] Anon., private communication (Caterpillar 1-G engine test run on a re-refined oil purchased on open market, provided to D.A. Becker) 1977.

[12] Frame, E. A.; Bowen, Jr., T. C. U.S. Army/Environmental Protection Agency re-refined engine

oil program; Standard Engine Dynamometer Tests/Field Evaluation; AFLRL Report No. 98, U.S. Army Mobility Equipment Research and Development Command, Ft. Belvoir, VA 1978.

[13] Ulrichson, D. L. and Yake, D. E. Iowa re-refined oil fleet test. Report No. ISU-ERI-AMES-7810. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. 1978.

[14] Reynolds, J. W. ; Goetzinger, J. W. ; Cotton, F. 0.; Brinkman, D. W. ; Whisman, M. L. A closed-loop study of the effects of multicycle re-refining of automotive lubricating oil.

Report No. DOE/BETC/RI-81/9. Bartlesville Energy Technology Center, Bartlesville, OK. 1982.

[15] Enslin, C. Quality assurance of re-refined oil: the SABS certification mark scheme.

Proceedings of the third international conference on waste oil recovery and reuse; Association

of Petroleum Re-refiners; Washington, DC; 1978. 45 p.

[16] Bowen, T. C. An approach to qualification of re-refined engine oil under military

specifications. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 556; 1979. 175 p.

[17] Winstead, R. L. Monitoring base oil quality and approval procedures. Proceedings of the third

international conference on waste oil recovery and reuse; Association of Petroleum Re-refiners;

Washington, DC. 1978. 73 p.

[18] Bowen, T. C. Status of the MIL-L-46152A engine oil specification. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.)

Spec. Publ. 584; 51 p.

[19] Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), recommended Practice SAE J 183 (Feb. 1980). Fuel and

Lubricants Technical Committee, Society of Automotive Engineers, Warrendale, PA. 1981.

[20] SAE, Recommended Practice SAE J 304. Fuel and Lubricants Technical Committee, SAE, Warrendale,

PA. 1981.

[21] American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Standard Technical Publication (STP) 315. ASTM, Philadelphia, PA. 1981.

[22] American Society for Testing and Materials, Standard Technical Publication (STP) 509, ASTM,

Philadelphia, PA. 1981.

[23] Federal Test Method Standard 791. U.S. Army MERADC0M, Ft. Belvoir, VA. 1981.

316
[24] Hsu, S. M. ; Ku, C. S. ; and Becker, D. A. Re-refined base oil characterization and consistency

monitoring. SAE Paper No. 82-1240. SAE International Fuel and Lubricants Meeting. October

18-21, 1982. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

[25] Hsu, S. M. ; Becker, D. A. Status report on the characterization of re-refined lubricating base

oil. SAE paper 801382. 1980.

[26] Hsu, S. M. ; et. al Physical and chemical test methods for re-refined base oils, Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ., will be issued in 1983.

[27] Hsu, S. M. ; Ku, C. S. ; and Lin, R. S. Relationship between lubricating basestock composition

and the effects of additives on oxidation stability, SAE International Fuels and Lubricants

Meeting. Oct. 18-21, 1982. Toronto, Canada, SAE paper 821237.

[28] Hsu, S. M. ; Ku, C. S. ; and Lin, R. S. Effects of base oil composition on additive response in oxidation stability. Proceedings, Measurement and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ., 674; 1983.

[29] Becker, D. A. ASTM/NBS basetock consistency study: preliminary compilation of data and

results. Recycled Oil Program, National Bureau of Standards. Washington, DC. June 1982.

[30] Ku, C. S.; Pei , P.; and Hsu, S. M. Evaluation of ASTM D2007 method for the determination of

lubricating oil composition. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[31] Pei, P.; Britton, Jr., J.; and Hsu, S. M. Hydrocarbon type separation of lubricating base oil in multigram quantity by preparative HPLC; accepted for publication in J. of Chromatographic

Science.

[32] Pei, P.; Hsu, S. M. Re-refined base oil characterization using liquid chromatographic

techniques. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand.

(U.S.) Spec. Publ. 674; 1983

[33] Hsu, S. M. Review of laboratory bench tests in assessing the performance of automotive

crankcase oils. Lubrication Engineering 37 (12) 722; 1981.

[34] Gates, R. S. and Hsu, S. M. Development of a four-ball wear test procedure to evaluate

automotive lubricating oils. ASLE preprint 82-AM-6A-4; 1982, May 10-13; Cincinnati, Ohio.

[35] Ku, C. S. and Hsu, S. M. A thin-film oxygen uptake test for the evaluation of automotive

crankcase lubricants. ASLE preprint 82-LC-1D-1; 1982, Oct. 5-7; Washington, DC.

[36] Ku, C. S. ; Weeks, S. J.; and Hsu, S. M. Thin-film oxidation test: relationship between

chemical composition and additive response for re-refined oils. Proceedings, Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[37] Pei, P; Fleming, R. ; Hsu, S. M. Test methods for total chlorine in lubricating base oils.

Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand., (U.S.) Spec.

Publ. 674; 1983.

[38] Gates, R. and Hsu, S. M. Development of a step-loading seizure test for engine oil additive

response. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.)

Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[39] Comeford, J. J. and Hsu, S. M. Evaluation of ashing methods for determination of total metal

content of lubricating oil base stocks. Proceedings, Measurements and Standards for Recycled

Oil-IV; Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 674; 1983.

[40] Bowden, J. N. and Lestz, S. J. Historical perspective of lubricant deposit evaluations at southwest research institute, Proceedings of the joint conference on measurements and standards

for recycled oil/systems performance and durability; Washington, DC. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.)

Spec. Publ. 584; 1980. 80-83.

317
NBS-114A (REV. 2-8C) U.S. DEPT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET (See instructions)

1. PUBLICATION OR

REPORT NO.

NBS SP 674

2. Performing Organ. Report No.l 3. Publication Date July 1984

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Measurements and Standards for Recycled Oil-IV

Proceedings of a conference held at NBS Sept. 14-16, 1982

5. AUTHOR(S)

Donald A. Becker, Editor

6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (If joint or other than NBS. see instructions)

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

7. Contract/Grant No.

8. Type of Report & Period Covered

Final

9. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street, City. State, ZIP)

The conference was sponsored by NBS, ASTM Technical Division P on Recycled

Petroleum Products, and the Association of Petroleum Re-refiners.

10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 84-601070

j Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FlPS Software Summary, is attached.

11. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here) This publication is a formal report of the fourth and last Conference on Measurements

and Standards for Recycled Oil, held at the National Bureau of Standards on September 14 to 16, 1982. There were five sessions on specific subject areas,

with a total of 28 presentations.

This conference was designed to bring together all of the work by NBS and NBS

cooperators on the development of test procedures for re-refined lubricating oil.

This proceedings contains the entire texts of the various presentations, including

figures and tables.

12. KEY WORDS (Six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only proper names; and separate key words by semicolon s) engine oil; hydraulic oil; industrial oil; lubricating oil; oil specifications;

petroleum standards; petroleum test methods; recycled oil, re-refined oil; used oil;

waste oi 1

.

13. AVAILABILITY

[xT] Unlimited

Q For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

&t~J Order From Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. ~ 20402.

7J Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA. 22161

14. NO. OF

PRINTED PAGES

314

15. Price

O U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1984-420-997:191
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