Polyol Ester Lubricant Composition for High-Temperature Evaporation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high-temperature lubricants evaporate quickly and form hard deposits, leading to frequent maintenance and energy inefficiency in equipment operations, as they often sacrifice one property for the other, necessitating a formulation with low evaporation and minimal deposit formation.

Innovation Solution

A lubricant composition comprising a mixture of polyol esters and pyromellitate esters, with specific structures and ratios, that maintains operational lubrication for extended periods at high temperatures with minimal deposit formation, using additives like antioxidants and extreme pressure additives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional high-temperature lubricants are used, then lubrication is provided at high temperatures, but evaporation occurs quickly and hard deposits form

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh temperature operationVSAvoidevaporation and deposit formation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the base oil by using specific ester fluids (polyol esters, alkylated aromatics, and esters with controlled chemical structures) that have inherent resistance to evaporation and deposit formation at high temperatures, rather than using conventional mineral oils or simple synthetic hydrocarbons

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite lubricant formulation by combining multiple ester fluid types (polyol esters, alkylated aromatic esters, and other synthetic esters) with specific additive packages, achieving synergistic effects that simultaneously reduce evaporation and prevent hard deposit formation at high temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If lubricant is applied frequently to prevent evaporation, then lubrication is maintained, but maintenance time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication maintenanceVSAvoidmaintenance interval
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lubricant composition is designed to self-maintain its lubrication properties at high temperatures through its inherent low evaporation and low deposit formation characteristics, eliminating the need for frequent human intervention and manual cleaning that would otherwise be required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If complex esters are used to improve lubrication, then lubrication performance improves, but polymerization occurs and hard deposits form

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication performanceVSAvoidpolymerization and hard deposits
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses specific ester fluid types with controlled molecular structures (polyol esters, alkylated aromatic esters) that provide high lubrication performance in critical areas while inherently resisting polymerization and hard deposit formation, rather than using complex esters that polymerize readily

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of ester fluid degradation at high temperatures into a benefit by selecting ester types that, instead of forming hard deposits, form soft, easily removable deposits or decompose into harmless volatile substances, thereby maintaining lubrication performance without the harmful effects

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

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 lubricant composition exhibits low evaporation and deposit formation, extending lubrication intervals, reducing maintenance needs, and maintaining effective lubrication for at least 68 hours at 240°C with a liquid fraction of at least 50% and total deposit formation of less than 2.75, thereby enhancing equipment performance and energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Lubricants used in high temperature environments must exhibit low evaporation such that effective lubrication is maintained for an extended period

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

many conventional lubricants oxidize when used at high temperatures, which causes the formation of hard, lacquer-like deposits

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

certain types of ester fluids, such as complex esters, have a tendency to polymerize at high temperatures, resulting in the formation of hard deposits

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 4

a thin film of lubricant is applied to the conveyor chain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3541907B1Lubricant composition for high-temperature applications
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 ZSCHIMMER & SCHWARZ INC
  • EP3541907B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3541907B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3541907B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A lubricant composition is provided that has reduced deposit formation and a low evaporation allowing for improved performance in high temperature applications relative to conventional high temperature lubricants. The high temperature lubricant composition includes a base oil, wherein the base oil includes at least one polyol ester and at least one pyromellitate ester. In some embodiments, the lubricant composition further includes one or more additives selected from the group of an extreme-pressure additive, an anti-wear additive, an anti-rust additive, a corrosion inhibitor, and an antioxidant, or a combination thereof. Further provided are methods for lubricating an apparatus using the lubricant composition, methods for improving the operational lubrication of a conventional high temperature lubricant, and methods of preparing the high temperature lubricant composition of the present invention.