Production of biolubricants from soybean oil: Studies for an integrated process with the current biodiesel industry

The competitiveness of the biodiesel industry may be improved by adding value through co-products and integration with the oleochemical industry, especially for novel products such as biolubricants, a product of increasing world demand. In this study the synthesis of biolubricants from soybean oil was evaluated using transesterification, epoxidation and oxirane ring opening reactions. Water, 2-ethylhexanol and their mixtures were used to obtain hydroxyl-rich and/or ether-type branched molecules. All chemical modifications were monitored by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H-1 NMR) and evaluated through the physicochemical properties of the products. Several potential biolubricant samples were synthesized with viscosities at 40 degrees C ranging from 26.6 to 99.6 cSt, viscosity index from 26 to 139, densities at 20 degrees C from 0.925 to 0.964 g/cm(3), and pour points from -3 to -12 degrees C. From these results, a proposal of a feasible industrial process for the production of biolubricants from soybean oil is presented, consisting of 16 units, of which 15 may be integrated with an existing biodiesel plant. (C) 2020 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Adding value through co-products and integrating with the oleochemical industry can enhance the competitiveness of the biodiesel industry, especially for novel products like biolubricants. The synthesis of biolubricants from soybean oil was evaluated using different reactions to produce a range of potential samples with varying properties. A feasible industrial process for producing biolubricants from soybean oil, involving 16 units, was proposed in this study.