Experimental assessment of regenerated lube oil in spark-ignition engine for sustainable environment

Abstract

Lube oils are the viscous petroleum products used in automobiles to reduce the friction. The eventual fate of lube oil is either incineration or dumping off into ground, but these resources cannot be disposed off easily due to their libellous effects on environment. This article aims to study the regeneration of deteriorated oil and impact of regenerated oil on engine performance and engine emissions. The effectuality of regeneration is studied by comparing the results of the key parameters (specific gravity, viscosity, total acid number, flash point and ash contents) of regenerated oil with that of non-deteriorated and deteriorated oil. Engine performance and emissions for regenerated oil were compared with non-deteriorated and deteriorated oil. The brake power and torque increased by 4.1% and 4.6%, respectively, following the regeneration process. After re-refining of lube oil, specific gravity, flash point, kinematic viscosity, ash content and total acid number improved by 6.75%, 2.66%, 15.6%, 1.7% and 10.64%, respectively. In case of deteriorated oil, HC, NOx and CO increased by 23.6%, 42.2% and 11.8%, respectively. But after regeneration of oil, these emissions decreased as compared with deteriorated oil. It can be reasoned out that regeneration mends oil properties and has positive impact over engine performance and emissions.