Test Rig and Method for Comparative Evaluation of Conventional and Bio-Based Hydraulic Fluids and Lubricants for Agricultural Transmissions

Daniele Pochi, Roberto Fanigliulo, Carlo Bisaglia, Maurizio Cutini, Renato Grilli, Laura Fornaciari, Monica Betto, Luigi Pari, Francesco Gallucci, Luigi Capuzzi, Angela Sagliano, Fulvio Palmieri and Giancarlo Chiatti
Additional contact information
Daniele Pochi: Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Via della Pascolare 16, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
Roberto Fanigliulo: Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Via della Pascolare 16, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
Carlo Bisaglia: Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Via Milano 43, Treviglio, 24047 Bergamo, Italy
Maurizio Cutini: Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Via Milano 43, Treviglio, 24047 Bergamo, Italy
Renato Grilli: Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Via della Pascolare 16, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
Laura Fornaciari: Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Via della Pascolare 16, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
Monica Betto: Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Via della Pascolare 16, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
Luigi Pari: Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Via della Pascolare 16, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
Francesco Gallucci: Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Via della Pascolare 16, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
Luigi Capuzzi: Novamont S.p.A., Via Fauser 8, 28100 Novara, Italy
Angela Sagliano: Novamont S.p.A., Via Fauser 8, 28100 Novara, Italy
Fulvio Palmieri: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi Roma 3, Via V. Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy
Giancarlo Chiatti: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi Roma 3, Via V. Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-20

Abstract: The use of lubricants and hydraulic fluids of both mineral and synthetic origin in agricultural processes could have a deep impact on the environment as a result of their possible dispersion in the ground and aquifers. Replacing them with bio-based fluids, developed to provide good tribological properties and high biodegradability, could contribute to reducing their negative effects. The evaluation of the capacity of such innovative fluids to replace the conventional ones is based on work cycles lasting as long as their lifetime, during which their characteristics must prove to be at least equal to those of the fluids they replace. To shorten the evaluation process, CREA (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia Agraria) developed a fluid test rig (FTR) and related test method, able to apply severe work cycles on small oil volumes, thereby accelerating the aging of the fluid beyond what typically occurs. This paper reports the results of the tests on FTR’s functionality carried out comparing two UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil) fluids: a widespread conventional fluid and an experimental vegetable-based oil. The FTR will permit, in a relatively short time, the assessment of the most promising formulations to be tested later under real working conditions, e.g., in agricultural tractors, reducing the risk of damage, before their ultimate introduction into the operating reality.

Keywords: agricultural tractors; environmental pollution; testing of biolubricants; Universal Tractor Transmission Oil (UTTO); fluid aging; chemical-physical properties; technical performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8564-:d:429114

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