International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 09 Issue: 06 | June 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2022, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.529 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3133
Study of Lubricating Oil Deterioration Using Fourier Transform
Infrared Spectroscopy
Pooja Nand
1
, Nitish Kumar Sah
2
, Manoj Kumar
3
1,2
M.Tech Scholar, Mechanical Engineering Department, BIT Sindri, Jharkhand, India
3
Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, BIT Sindri, Jharkhand, India
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Abstract: Lubrication controls the friction and wear
between moving surfaces in contact, by the introduction of a
friction-reducing film. It can be a Solid, fluid, or plastic
substance. All types of lubricants are susceptible to
degradation while in use and depending upon the engine oil
condition, it should be changed after certain interval of time.
Viscosity of lubricating oil is the detrimental property to
define the oil characteristics after hours of running of an
engine. Analytical methods for the analysis of lubricating oil
such measuring viscosity, TAN/TBN takes much time and not
so accurate results are obtained, also large amount of
lubricating oil is used in this viscosity measurement method.
In the present work, Engine oil used was multi grade SAE 15
W 40 from a Generator set provides power to E-1400-16
drilling rig used for land drilling rigs for oil rig applications
in Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). Fourier-transform
infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is used for the analysis of oil.
Viscosity of the lubricants were found by Stabinger
Viscometer at 20º C. Correlation between viscosity and
percentage transmittance were created to find out which
compound is more responsible for the degradation of oil. A
trend line equation was generated at a selected peak to know
the viscosity value at the corresponding value of percentage
transmittance. Advantage of FTIR is, it’s running cost is less
as no additional chemical are required to get the spectra.
Keywords: Lubricant, FTIR, Viscosity, Transmittance
1.INTRODUCTION
Lubricants create thin film between moving surface in
contact due to which function and wear of engine can be
controlled and life of engine is prolonged. Lubricants can be
used in any form such as fluid or solid.
Lubricating oil has large number of products which can be
classified on the basis of base chemical and additives.
Generally lubricating oil are belonging to either mineral
based or synthetic. Constituents of petroleum based
lubricating oils are 80-90 % of petroleum hydrocarbon and
10-20% of additives. All internal combustion engine is
preserved from wear and corrosion because of this
petroleum based lubricating oils.
The substance which plays main role in increasing the
equipment life and improves the working of lubricating oil
is additives, which is used for refinement of the anti-
friction, chemical and physical properties of the base oil
(minerals, synthetic, vegetable or animal) [1].There are
various types of lubricating additives such as friction
modifiers which reduces coefficient of friction due to which
less fuel is consumed (some of them are graphite,
molybdenum disulfide, boron nitride, tungsten disulfide,
PTFE).
Various properties of lubricating oil are higher viscosity,
thermal stability, demulsibility, hydraulic stability,
corrosion prevention, high boiling point and low freezing
point and high resistance to corrosion [3]. The property of
lubricating oil for the center of attention in this research is
viscosity. Viscosity is due to inter molecular interaction.
This property of lubricating oil is affected by oxidation,
nitration and formation of various other compounds which
changes the composition of lubricating oil after long hour of
running. Due to these changes in composition, the quality of
lubricating oil changes[4]. FTIR spectroscopy is used to
give the percentage of transmittance for various functional
groups at different hours of running. FTIR is widely used in
many industries for monitoring degradation, contaminants
and additives levels in lubricants of various working
lubricating oil. So, we could know that when the oil needs to
be changed to prevent the engine from damage and
increases its life.
2.PROPOSED METHOD
In the present work, it is proposed to analyses the viscosity
of lubricating oil using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)
spectroscopy. FTIR spectroscopy of sample gives the
relation between percentage transmittance and wave
number. The prominent peaks in the graph would be
selected on the basis of available research literature. The
major cause of oil degradation could be defined from
correlation developed between transmittance of running
use of the lubricating oil and viscosity. A trend line equation
would be generated between viscosity and percentage
transmittance value of FTIR spectra.