Biolubricant base stock with improved low temperature performance: Ester complex production using housefly (Musca domestica L.) larval lipid

Sheng-qing Wu, Ting-ting Sun, Zi-zhe Cai, Juan Shen, Wen-zhe Yang, Zhi-min Zhao and De-po Yang

Renewable Energy, 2020, vol. 162, issue C, 1940-1951

Abstract: Lipid generated from housefly (Musca domestica L.) larvae fed by municipal waste is a renewable lipid resource, however, the low unsaturated degree prevents it from producing trimethylolpropane fatty acid triester as lubricant, due to its poor low-temperature performance. A new fatty acid esters complex consisting of trimethylolpropane fatty acid triester and 2-ethylhexyl fatty acid ester was produced from housefly larval lipid. Separated from molecular distillation, the acylglycerols were first trans-esterified into fatty acid methyl ester and then further trans-esterified with trimethylolpropane into trimethylolpropane esters. The purified trimethylolpropane fatty acid triester is with purity of 98.4% and further blended with 30 wt% 2-ethylhexyl fatty acid ester derived from housefly larval free fatty acid. The pour point was substantially lowered from −3 °C to −12 °C while the lubricity performance is within standard of ISO VG 32, with minor improvement of water separability compared with pure trimethylolpropane fatty acid triester. By blending two type bio-lubricants with different advantages on viscosity and pour point, the ester complex with favorable properties was produced using saturated non-food lipid source rather than unsaturated virginal vegetable oil. This study also offers a cleaner and energy-efficient approach for high value-added product production for non-food lipid industry.

Keywords: Musca domestica L.; Bio-lubricant; Trimethylolpropane fatty acid triester; Pour point; 2-Ethylhexyl fatty acid ester (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:162:y:2020:i:c:p:1940-1951

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.10.001

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