Analysis of the thermal properties of carnauba oil for use as biolubricant
Synara Lucien de Lima Cavalcanti1; Fernanda Alves Ribeiro2; Elmo Thiago Lins Cöuras Ford1; Rudson de Sousa Lima3; José Ubiragi de Lima Mendes1
1 Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; 2 Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-áridodo; 3 Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-árido
doi:10.20906/CPS/COB-2015-1320
Resumo
The search for alternative sources of production of lubricants is necessary to meet future demands and reduce the potential environmental damage that oil products can generate. Vegetable oil is a viable alternative because it is a renewable resource, biodegradable and its use implies advantages in environmental, social and economic, and for the most part, has satisfactory results in their properties when compared to mineral oils. This pioneer study analyzes the thermal properties of a vegetable oil extracted from the carnauba seeds, an endemic palm of the Brazilian semi arid northeast. The thermal properties of the analyzed carnauba oil were resistivity and thermal conductivity, temperature gradient and thermography, the latter two being tested in a simulated mechanical system. The values obtained were compared with those of commercial oil SAE 10W30 API SM, in previous studies the carnauba oil showed similar properties and this oil. Given the results, it was noticed that the carnauba oil is more capable to dissipate heat in a mechanical system that commercial oil SAE 10W30 API SM, demonstrating the possibility to use as biolubricant.
Palavras-chave: carnauba oil; biolubricant; thermal properties