FORMULATION OF BIO-BASED GREASE FROM TREATED WASTE COOKING OIL BY USING
SODIUM SOAP AS THICKENER
Abstract
Numerous researchers are extremely concerned about the depletion of
mineral oil caused by the decades-long production of commercial products
such as grease. The issue may be resolved through the utilisation of
waste cooking oil (WCO). Many individuals, due to a lack of
environmental consciousness, inadequately dispose of the WCO that are
the by-products of consuming fresh vegetable oil (VO). As a result, the
objective of this research was to develop a grease made from WCO by
employing a range of different amounts of sodium soap thickener (SST).
At the beginning, SST was generated via a saponification process
involving stearic acid and sodium hydroxide. The lubricant formulation
immediately started with the treatment of WCO in order to remove any
impurities present in the used oil. After that, the greases were made
using a weight percentage ratio that included additives. They were then
tested for dropping point value, oil bleeding value, oil separation
value, consistency value, and rusting ability to find out what the
grease is made of. In spite of this, the research findings indicate that
every lubricant possesses an acceptable dropping point value, an NLGI
value of 00-4, oil bleeding values ranging from -15% to 15% (SG40
being the exception), oil separation values falling below 4%, and
corrosion test results classified within the mildly tarnish category.
Nonetheless, SG60 was selected as the optimal lubricant due to the fact
that it satisfies every one of the required criteria, rendering it the
most refined option. This study indicates that WCO can be utilised as
the base oil for greases on account of their satisfactory performance.