Fossil-Free and Non-Toxic Lubricant Could Transform the Industry

Through his research on eco-friendly lubricants, Professor Yijun Shi at Luleå University of Technology has earned a place on the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) 100-list for 2024. His research team has developed a fossil-free, water-soluble lubricant that could significantly reduce the environmental impact of the lubricant industry.

Approximately one percent of the world's oil production is used for lubricants – a staggering amount of about 1.5 cubic meters every second. Yijun Shi and his team have created a lubricant based on glycerol, a non-toxic byproduct of biodiesel production, which could significantly reduce this demand for oil-based lubricants.

“Lubricants are crucial for reducing wear and friction in machinery, but traditional oil-based options come at a high environmental cost. Our glycerol-based lubricant is fossil-free, non-toxic, and performs comparably to conventional oil-based lubricants.” says Professor Shi.

Glycerol-based lubricant tested in industry

The lubricant combines glycerol with specially developed additives that are also non-toxic and renewable. Over the past decade, Professor Shi’s team has conducted extensive research to refine these additives, focusing on how they can provide the same level of protection against wear, surface fatigue, and friction as mineral oil-based lubricants. The work has involved tribological studies, chemical engineering, molecular dynamic calculations, and high-pressure rheological measurements, all aimed at understanding how this environmentally friendly alternative interacts with various machine surfaces.

Yijun Shi, Professor at Luleå University of Technology

The glycerol-based lubricant has been tested in full-scale applications, including forestry machines, construction equipment, and hydropower plants. These tests have shown promising results, indicating that the lubricant can handle the demands of heavy-duty industrial use.

“Because the lubricant is water-soluble, it behaves differently than traditional oils. We are focusing on optimizing the additives to form strong protective layers that reduce wear and surface fatigue in real-world conditions.”, says Shi.

The next steps for the project include a deeper understanding of wear mechanisms, development of even better additives, and additional large-scale testing. By reducing the reliance on fossil-based lubricants, Professor Shi’s research could help the industry move towards a greener future.

IVA's 100 list

The project is one of eight projects that Luleå University of Technology has included in the 2024 edition of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) prestigious 100 list. The research projects on the list are considered to have great potential to benefit through commercialization, business and method development or social impact.

• Read more about all projects from Luleå University of Technology on IVA's 100 list 2024
  
• Machine elements