Polyalkylmethacrylate Additive Composition for Lubricant Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing additive compositions comprising viscosity index improvers (VII) and pour point depressants (PPD) face compatibility issues, leading to storage stability problems in lubricating oil formulations, requiring additional components and compromising low temperature performance.

Innovation Solution

A specific additive composition combining a viscosity index improver polymer with a pour point depressant polymer, characterized by defined molecular weights and monomer compositions, is developed to enhance storage stability, viscosity index, and low-temperature performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additive composition comprising viscosity index improver (VII) and pour point depressant (PPD) is used to improve viscometric performance and low temperature properties, then the lubricating oil formulation benefits from improved low temperature performance and viscosity index, but compatibility problems arise leading to poor storage stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidcompatibility between VII and PPD

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines VII and PPD into a single additive composition with specifically controlled molecular weight ranges (VII: 100,000-1,000,000 g/mol, PPD: 10,000-60,000 g/mol) and defined monomer compositions. This merging approach ensures compatibility between the two additives while maintaining their respective functions, resolving the storage stability issue that arises from using separate VII and PPD components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the molecular weight ranges and monomer composition ratios of both VII and PPD. The VII contains specific proportions of polybutadiene macromonomer (10-30%), C8-C17 styrene (50-70%), and C7-C30 alkyl(meth)acrylate (1-15%), while the PPD contains C1-C6 alkyl(meth)acrylate (20-35%), C7-C15 alkyl(meth)acrylate (20-75%), and C16-C24 alkyl(meth)acrylate (5-60%). These parameter optimizations ensure compatibility and storage stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If separate VII and PPD components are used in lubricant formulation, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the number of additive components increases and compatibility management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of additive formulationVSAvoidnumber of additive components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges VII and PPD into a single additive composition package, reducing the number of separate additive components that need to be managed during formulation and manufacturing. This combination simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the functional benefits of both VII and PPD through carefully controlled molecular weights and monomer compositions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If polyalkylmethacrylates with high molecular weight are used as PPD to improve low temperature performance, then the wax crystallization process is effectively modified, but the viscosity index improvement capability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow temperature performanceVSAvoidviscosity index improvement

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the additive functions by creating two distinct polymer components with specialized molecular weight ranges: PPD (10,000-60,000 g/mol) optimized for low temperature performance and wax crystallization modification, and VII (100,000-1,000,000 g/mol) optimized for viscosity index improvement. This segmentation allows each component to excel at its specific function while maintaining overall compatibility in the additive composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 additive composition provides improved storage stability, compatibility, and enhanced low-temperature performance while maintaining high viscosity index, reducing the need for additional components and incompatibilities.

Implementation Method 1

a viscosity index improver (V), wherein the viscosity index improver (V) is a polymer having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 100,000 to 1,000,000 g/mol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity modification through polymer addition:

Implementation Method 2

Pour point depressants (PPD) are additives that improve the low temperature performance of an oil by modifying the wax crystallization process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWax crystallization modification: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP4119640B1Lubricant additive composition containing polyalkylmethacrylates

Publication Date: 2023.06.14 EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to an additive composition and a process for preparing the same. The invention also relates to the use of said additive composition as a lubricant additive in a lubricating oil formulation and to lubricating oil formulations comprising said additive composition.