High Performance 4-Cycle Lubricants from Canola

IDENTIFICATION OF A MARKET Developing a new market for an established international crop like canola (Brassica napus L., Brassica rapa L., Brassicaceae) requires significant care and study. Canola has been identified by several authors as a highly desirable food oil. Canola oils are relatively rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and with small percentages of both saturated and polyunsaturated fats. Canola can be differentiated from rapeseed by Canadian standards of low erucic acid and low glucosinalate content. Canola’s relatively high percentage of monounsaturated fats, natural antioxidants, and lubricity make it ideal for lubricant applications To develop a canola oil industry which does not compete with existing canola markets requires identification of new applications. Three objectives for a canola-based lubricant were identified: first, an oil functionality equal to or better than comparable petroleum oils; second, a cost which is acceptable to the general consumer; and third a product which is environmentally benign, allowing for some premium in cost and market. Currently, numerous vegetable oils are used in lubricant applications. Current lubricant applications include additives in synthetic oils, transmission fluids, two-cycle motor oils, chain oils, hydraulic oils, greases and biodiesels. US consumption of these oils requires about 8 million kilograms of vegetable oil annually. This represents about 9% of all industrial applications for vegetable oils (USDA-ERS, 1995). To identify a market not currently served by a vegetable oil, a product was selected which is not typically vegetable oil based: four-cycle motor oils. This market consumes 9.66 billion liters of refined petroleum oil annually within the United States for lubrication purposes. Approximately 3.9 billion liters are consumed solely for four cycle engine oil (Fig. 1).