Liquid Carbodiimide Stabilization for Oil Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for stabilizing oil formulations using carbodiimides are inconvenient and uneconomic, as they require melting and stirring in solid carbodiimides, which can release toxic isocyanates and are inefficient, limiting the service life of lubricants due to hydrolysis acceleration by acidic cleavage products.

Innovation Solution

Adding carbodiimides of the formula (I) to oil formulations at temperatures between 10-40°C, preferably 15-30°C, using commercially available compounds like bis-o-tolylcarbodiimide, to stabilize the oils and prevent hydrolytic decomposition, while allowing for mixing at lower temperatures and reducing toxic emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solid carbodiimides are used to stabilize oil formulations, then hydrolytic stability is improved, but the process becomes inconvenient and uneconomic due to melting and stirring requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrolytic stabilityVSAvoidprocess convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of carbodiimides from solid to liquid form. This allows the carbodiimide to be added directly to oil formulations at low temperatures (10-40°C) without melting or extensive stirring, resolving the contradiction between maintaining hydrolytic stability and improving process convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the phase transition of carbodiimides from solid to liquid state. By selecting carbodiimides that are liquid at or near room temperature, the patent eliminates the need for heating and melting steps required for solid carbodiimides, thereby improving ease of operation while preserving the stabilizing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Reliability

If solid carbodiimides are melted and stirred into warmed oil formulations, then stabilization is achieved, but toxic isocyanates are released and occupational hygiene deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestabilization effectivenessVSAvoidtoxic emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high (required for melting solids) to low (10-40°C for liquid carbodiimides). This temperature reduction prevents the decomposition of carbodiimides into toxic isocyanates, thereby eliminating harmful emissions while maintaining stabilization effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of carbodiimide decomposition into a benefit by using liquid carbodiimides that remain stable at low temperatures. The low processing temperature prevents toxic isocyanate formation, turning what would be a harmful process into a safe one

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If solid carbodiimides are used requiring melting and stirring, then hydrolytic protection is provided, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrolytic protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing carbodiimides in liquid form rather than solid form, the patent eliminates the phase transition step (melting) from the manufacturing process. This reduces energy consumption and processing time, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining hydrolytic protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of carbodiimides to liquid, which allows direct mixing at low temperatures without heating or extensive stirring. This simplification of the manufacturing process reduces energy costs and operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively stabilizes oil formulations, enhancing hydrolytic stability and reducing acid number, thus extending lubricant life and improving occupational hygiene and environmental protection, while being more economical and convenient than previous methods.

Implementation Method 1

A series of base oils and lubricant base substances, e.g. triglycerides, synthetic carboxylic esters, phosphoric acid triesters, olefin-dicarboxylic acid copolymers and silicone oils, are attacked by water or oxidizing agents forming acidic cleavage products and alcohols

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS9464256B2Methods for producing oil formulations by means of certain carbodiimides

Publication Date: 2016.10.11 JM BIOLOGICALS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing stabilized oil formulations by means of certain carbodiimides.