Friction-reducing Petroleum Mixtures And Method Of Making Same

Abstract

Conventional petroleum lubricants and fuels are mixed with two or more naturally derived waxes and oils or their synthetic equivalents to form a blended petroleum product of high homogeneity and substantially reduced friction drag. Sesame seed oil and carnauba wax are representative of the oils and waxes, respectively. The process involves heating petroleum oils or greases, adding melted wax and heated natural oil, and in some cases of high additive concentration, adding an emulsifier and mixing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to blended lubricating and fuel products like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,967 issued July 27, 1971 to Riedel and Schieman, and more particularly to the mixture of petroleum products such as fuels, greases, motor oils and transmission fluids with natural anti-friction materials like animal and vegetable waxes and oils which are not "mineral" in source but derived from plants, animals and insects. Unlike the above patent, which uses a dewaxed base, applicant adds wax. The inventive process for compounding the mixtures is simple and unique.

Lubrication of automobiles and other machines and the performance demands for combustion fuels has led to highly sophisticated petroleum refinery and chemical industry developments. Fuels are catalytically separated and "cracked" for specialized petroleum fractions. Additive chemicals have been developed to enhance even these complex refinery products. Even with all of the technical advances, the fuels and lubricants fail to satisfy performance standards desired by the consuming public and the increasing strictness of ecological legislation. I have invented blended fuel and lubricant products and additives, and the process for making such fuels, additives and lubricants, that are compatible with conventional petroleum products, which lower friction loads substantially, enhance combustion engine performance and consist of ingredients obtainable in quantity at low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention contemplates blended petroleum products consisting essentially of a petroleum product (which may be conventional), a natural wax and a natural oil, mixed in approximate proportions of several parts petroleum product to one part of natural oil and wax combined. In an alternate petroleum mixture wherein the proportion of natural oil and wax approaches 1 to 1, a conventional emulsifier is one ingredient of the mixture.

The additive mixture of the invention contemplates a conventional petroleum product mixed with a lesser amount of a natural wax and a lesser amount of a natural oil. In an alternate additive mixture the ingredients may comprise a greater amount of natural oil and a lesser amount of natural wax.

In many instances in the disclosure herein, synthesized equivalents of natural products may be substituted for the named natural oils and waxes referred to, and this application is to be understood not to exclude such substitution.

A preferred mixture of the invention for use as a motor oil comprises 3 quarts of conventional motor oil, 2 ounces of carnauba wax and 1 quart of sesame seed oil, combined in a homogenous liquid.

In accordance with the process of the invention, the preferred blended petroleum product is achieved by the steps of adding the carnauba wax to the sesame seed oil, heating the oil and wax, mixing the oil and wax to dissolve the wax, heating the conventional motor oil, and mixing the combined sesame seed oil and wax into the heated motor oil.

Similar process is used to compound transmission oil fluid additive, motor oil additive, fuel additive and lubricating greases. In some instances where high viscosity results from addition of proportionately large quantities of natural wax or oil ingredients, the added step of mixing a conventional emulsifier is included in the method, and also when the wax or oil is of high viscosity.

The process and the resultant petroleum mixtures benefit engine and other moving part assemblies by reduced friction, lessened piston blow-by, extremely long crankcase life and almost total absence, even after prolonged usage, of varnish, acid and sludge. These and other advantages are apparent from the following detailed description and test data.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

MOTOR OIL

A crankcase motor oil consisting essentially of S A E 20 motor oil, carnauba wax and sesame seed oil in the proportions of 1 pint motor oil, 1 ounce carnauba wax and 1 pint sesame seed oil was placed in the crankcase of a 1971 Ford Transport Wagon. The vehicle was driven from Los Angeles to Caracas, Venezuela, and back. The crankcase was flushed in Mexico City with a conventional motor oil, which was drained after 100 miles and replaced with the petroleum product of the invention. The wagon crankcase was not replenished nor was the oil changed for the rest of the round trip, nor for a distance thereafter until an aggregate of 29,000 miles had been traversed. Added petroleum product of the invention was added as necessitated by oil loss from periodic oil filter changes, in no case exceeding one pint per filter change.

The crankcase pan was removed and the crankcase inspected. No evidence of sludge, acid or varnish was detected. No motor wear was evident. During the test trip the engine ran at reduced temperature, gave fuel mileage averaging 10 to 15 percent better than previous performance and top speeds 5 to 15 miles per hour in excess of previous performance.

Similar local city driving tests with a 1969 Buick Skylark resulted in markedly similar performance improvements.

GREASES

A manual transmission lubricant which tested well comprises S A E 80 lubricant, candelilla and beeswax, preferably in respective quantities of 1 gallon, 1 ounce and 2 ounces.

A wheel bearing and chassis lubricant consisting essentially of conventional S A E 80 grease, a natural oil such as jojoba or sesame and a natural wax, such as carnauba or candelilla, is combined in the proportions of 25 pounds of grease, 1 pint of oil and 6 ounces of wax. The oil and wax are first combined after heating and then added to the heated grease. Candelilla is sometimes called colloquially "carmanilla."

In spin tests an automobile front wheel was raised from the ground, spun to maximum RPMs by hand and allowed to rotate unimpeded. The wheel came to rest after three minutes. The same wheel was raised, demounted, the bearings cleaned and repacked with the described lubricant of the invention and remounted. The wheel was then spun by hand to maximum RPMs as before and allowed to rotate umimpeded. The wheel came to rest after one hour and five minutes.

It has been found that many other natural waxes and vegetable oils can be combined with conventional petroleum products in accordance with the teaching of the invention with beneficial results. The following partial tabulation will be helpful in comprehending the presently known available natural oils and waxes, herein characterized as "anti-friction agents."

Other natural oils and fats are listed in Merriam Webster (Unabridged) under "oil" in Tables I and II.

__________________________________________________________________________ Waxes Oils __________________________________________________________________________ Name Source Name Source Carnauba (copernicia cerifera) Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) Candelilla (Euphorbia anti- Cotton seed (Olein, linolien, syphilitica) palmitrin, stearin) Chinese wax (scale insect Ericerus Cajun (Furcraea cubensis) pela) (ceryl cerotate) Beeswax Safflower (Carthamus tinctorious) Bettle wax Cohune Palm Oil (Attalia cohune) Jojoba (distilled from oil) Jojoba (Simmondsia Californica) Sugar cane wax Castor (Ricinus communis) Myrtle (Bayberry-Myrica sp.) __________________________________________________________________________

The emulsifiers are known by trade names such as TWEEN, SORBO, SPAN and BRIDJ and are generally identified chemically as polyoxyethylene (10) Oleyl Ether or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbiton monolaurate.

The invention does not preclude synthesized equivalents of the above natural anti-friction agents. Beeswax in synthetic form, for instance, contributes to a satisfactory petroleum mixture for crankcase or motor oil. However, a blended petroleum product with beeswax in the synthetic form does tend to break down after about 15,000 miles use and a varnish residue forms.

While castor oil is easy to combine with other ingredients, it has little tolerance for high heat and is thus limited in scope in combination with the other ingredients of the inventive blended petroleum product.

ADDITIVES

Transmission fluid additives have performed successfully when made in accordance with the invention and consist essentially of conventional transmission fluid, a natural wax such as candelilla and a natural oil such as jojoba. Preferably the proportions are 9 quarts fluid, 1 1/4 ounces wax and 1 quart jojoba oil.

The process comprises the steps of heating the wax and the oil, dissolving the wax in the oil and mixing the resultant with the transmission fluid, which may also be heated. The temperatures of the various heats are preferably within 15.degree. F. of 200.

Very good results obtain when two or more waxes in equal amounts are combined to make up the wax proportion. A combination of carnauba, jojoba and candelilla waxes with jojoba oil and transmission fluid in the stated proportions has resulted in lessening of noise, smoother shifting and improved idle.

Fuel additives consisting essentially of natural antifriction agents in a solvent have been prepared and tested. One such additive consisted of 1 ounce of carnauba wax dissolved in one gallon of safflower oil. The carnauba was melted and added to heated safflower oil or solid carnauba wax mixed in heated oil at a temperature matching the melting point of the wax. Carnauba has a melting point of about 180.degree. F. in the commercial form used. Most of the listed waxes melt between 160.degree. to 190.degree. F. Two ounces of the resultant homogenous liquid is then added to about 20 gallons of fuel such as gasoline. Engines tested with the blended fuel performed smoother, started easier and effected a reduction in harmful exhaust emissions when compared to performance on conventional fuel. The latter effect is believed to be due to a lessening of piston drag such that blow-by is decreased into the crankcase, since the piston is freer to move with initial gas expansion at start-up and acceleration. Less blow-by decreases dilution of crankcase oil and unsettling of carburetor adjustment, the chief result of presently required crankcase ventilation systems imposed by legislation.

A diesel fuel additive with beneficial effects on engine performance consists essentially of beeswax dissolved in safflower oil under heat, and may be added to diesel fuel in the proportion of 1/40 ounce of mixture additive to one gallon of fuel.

It has been found that beeswax in liquid form may be added directly to a small amount of diesel fuel when the latter is elevated in temperature below its flashpoint and the resultant added to bulk fuel. The liquid wax is obtained by melting.

Lowered smog emissions and improved fuel consumption were proved with 2 ounces of the wax-oil mixture added to 40 gallons of diesel fuel in the tank of a truck then tested over the road.

Similar valuable improvement has occurred in performances of fuels such as aviation gasoline and kerosene jet fuel when a natural anti-friction agent such as a natural wax or a blend of natural waxes in a suitable solvent is added in the desired proportions to such fuels. An additive including carnauba or beeswax has benefitted jet fuel. Beeswax additive has enhanced performance of both aviation and automotive gasoline fuels.

Blended natural waxes combined with conventional motor oils has provided high performance and test results. One such blended petroleum product consisted essentially of S A E 20 motor oil, a carnauba wax, candelilla wax and the distilled wax of jojoba oil in the proportions of 3 ounces of the combined waxes homogenously mixed with 1 gallon of the S A E 20 motor oil. An independent test laboratory made tension tests of the above-described blended petroleum product. Test results indicated greatly increased tensile strength - in the range of 35,000 as compared with a figure of 28,000 - 32,000 for conventional motor oil and about 27,000 for socalled "specialty" oils of conventional composition.

The tested petroleum product was tested shortly after being processed. Under certain conditions, where complete homogeneity is lacking, the natural waxes may eventually separate and settle. It is therefore desirable to include an emulsifier in the product. In a blended petroleum product such as that tested the emulsifier is added in an amount approximating one percent by volume.

In small quantities the petroleum product like a motor oil may be prepared by mixing 2 ounces of beeswax and 1 ounce of carnauba wax in 1 quart of petroleum oil heated to about 140.degree.. The resultant is then added to 3 quarts more of heated oil. The mixture is then cooled to about 120.degree. and the whole mixed mechanically with about 1 1/3 ounces of an emulsifier like "Bridj 89." Such a petroleum product has a long shelf life in addition to improved anti-friction qualities.

If the first mixture of petroleum oil and additive is positively agitated at the proper temperature, quantities of additive up to about 2 1/2 ounces stay suspended without the aid of emulsifiers. However, when the concentration of additive exceeds that amount and agitation is nominal during initial mixing it is desirable to include an emulsifier.

While waxes and natural oils of various types and from various sources have been set forth herein as examples, it is to be understood that the invention contemplates as ingredients may other un-named anti-friction agents of natural, contrasted with mineral, source and combined in various proportions with petroleum, or with each other. Therefore, since many variations within the scope of the invention will occur to those trained to this field in view of the teaching herein, it is desired that the invention be measured by the appended claims rather than by the illustrative disclosure herein.

Claims

I claim:

1. A product useful as a lubricant or fuel additive which consists essentially of a hydrocarbon lubricant, a wax constituent dispersed in said hydrocarbon lubricant, and an emulsifier in an amount sufficient to maintain said wax constituent uniformly dispersed in said hydrocarbon lubricant, the wax constituent being selected from the group consisting of candellila, carnuba, Chinese, jojoba, beetle, myrtle, and sugar cane waxes, beeswax, a synthetic version of one of the foregoing natural waxes, and mixtures of the aforesaid waxes, and said wax constituent being present in an amount ranging from not more than one up to 10 parts of wax per 120 parts of the hydrocarbon.

2. The product of claim 1, wherein the wax constituent is candellila or a synthetic version thereof.

3. The product of claim 1, wherein the wax constituent is carnuba or a synthetic version thereof.

4. A product useful as a lubricant or fuel additive which consists essentially of a hydrocarbon lubricant, a wax constituent dispersed in said hydrocarbon lubricant, and an emulsifier in an amount sufficient to maintain said wax constituent uniformly dispersed in said hydrocarbon lubricant, the wax constituent being selected from the group consisting of candellila, carnuba, Chinese, jojoba, beetle, myrtle, and sugar cane waxes, beeswax, and mixtures of the aforesaid waxes, and said wax constituent being present in an amount ranging from 1-10 parts of wax per 120 parts of the hydrocarbon lubricant.

5. The product of claim 4, where the wax constituent is carnauba wax.

6. The product of claim 4, wherein the wax constituent is candellila wax.

7. The product of claim 4, wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurates.

8. The product of claim 4, wherein the amount of the emulsifier is on the order of one part of emulsifier per 100 parts of hydrocarbon lubricant.

9. The product of claim 4, wherein said wax constituent is present in an amount ranging from 3-6 parts of wax per 120 parts of the hydrocarbon lubricant.