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Faculty of Chemistry, Wroc!aw University of Technology, Division of Fuels Chemistry and Technology, ul. Gdanska 7/9, 50-344 Wroc!aw, Poland
a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history:
Received 19 November 2007
Received in revised form
25 February 2008
Accepted 12 March 2008
Available online 1 May 2008
Keywords:
Lubricant
Base oils
Biodegradability
Standardised test methods
a b s t r a c t
Biodegradability analysis of lubricants by standardised tests provides valuable information for both
legislation purposes and assessment of how chemical structure inuences biodegradability. The choice
of an appropriate test for evaluating the ultimate biodegradability of oils raises serious problems as the
majority of lubricating base oils display a poor water solubility. The paper summarises the experience
gained and the results achieved from the evaluation of primary and ultimate biodegradability of
lubricating base oils differing in chemical structure, such as rapeseed oil, synthetic polyolester oils,
poly(a-olen) oils (PAO 4 and PAO 6) and the conventional mineral oil. Primary biodegradability was
evaluated using the CEC L-33-A-93 test. To evaluate the ultimate biodegradability of oils in an aerobic
aquatic environment, use was made of the testing methods OECD 301 B and OECD 310 for ready
biodegradability. Oils that fail to full the ready biodegradability criterion, e.g. pentaerythrite
tetra(sec-capronate) oil (polyolester with steric hindrance around the ester bonds), PAO 4, PAO 6, and
mineral oil, were evaluated for inherent biodegradability using the OECD 302 D (draft) test and the
OECD 302 B method where the test vessels were prepared via a modied procedure. The oils belonging
to this group differred in inherent biodegradability. Thus, PE tetra(sec-capronate) oil reached an extent
of biodegradation amounting to 65%, that of PAO 4 and mineral oil being equal to 48% and 38%,
respectively. Experiments have shown that ISO 14593 offers a convenient method for evaluating the
ready biodegradability of base oils according to OECD 310 and makes it possible to evaluate (with the
same apparatus and reagents) the inherent biodegradability of oils when the conditions and criteria
recommended by the OECD 302D (draft) CONCAWE test are satised.
& 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
Technological advance, on the one hand, and any actions as
regards environmental protection, on the other hand, have raised
public awareness of the importance of ecological information,
which makes it possible to assess the risks (and related effects)
involved with the penetration of chemical products into the
environment. Ecological information, particularly that pertaining
to the assessment of the biodegradability, ecotoxicity and bio-
accumulation of chemical substances or preparations in the
aquatic ecosystems, should be made available from paragraph
12 of the safety data sheet for chemical products. The manufac-
turer or supplier of the product has the responsibility to provide
such information in compliance with the relevant standard [1,2].
The results of biodegradability assessments are particularly
important when the chemical products enter the natural
environment during service, or due to inadequate use or
utilisation. The same holds true for lubricants [3,4]. The type,
quality and performance of lubricants depend on their main
componentsthe base oils, which account for 7580% in engine
oils and up to 99% in industrial lubricants. In sum, base oils are the
principal contributory factors in the biodegradability of lubricat-
ing materials [5,6].
What stimulates improvements in the quality and changes in
the type of the base oils being produced is not only technological
advance but also the ever increasing tendency to reduce the
environmental impact of the oils and to ensure an optimal use of
the available resources [7,8]. It is essential to note, however, that
these days approximately 75% of worlds annual base oil
production (estimated at 3738mtons) comprises conventional,
crude oil-derived mineral oils (Group I base oils according to API
classication) regarded as low-biodegradability products hazar-
dous to the environment [9]. About 15% of global base oil
production per annum includes Group II, Group II+ and Group III
oils. They all are derived from crude oil but, owing to the use of
advanced technologies, their composition and hydrocarbon
structure have been modied so they are classied as non-
conventional mineral oils. Some of these, specically low-
viscosity oils [5], display a high biodegradability potential. The
remaining 10% of worlds annual base oil production covers
poly(a-olen) oils (PAO) dened as Group IV base oils, as well as
the other synthetic base oils referred to as Group V base oils.
ARTICLE IN PRESS
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/triboint
Tribology International
0301-679X/$ - see front matter & 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2008.03.003