Sterically Hindered Amines for Ashless TBN in Lubricants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lubricating oil compositions for heavy-duty diesel engines face challenges in achieving high Total Base Number (TBN) while minimizing sulfated ash content to comply with stringent emission standards, which also requires compatibility with exhaust gas after-treatment devices and fluoroelastomeric seal materials, and reducing the adverse effects of phosphorus and sulfur-containing additives.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating sterically hindered amines as ashless TBN boosters into lubricating oil compositions, which do not contribute to sulfated ash formation, thereby maintaining high TBN levels and ensuring compatibility with engine seals, while adhering to low-SAPS (Sulfated Ash, Phosphorus, Sulfur) specifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If overbased detergents are used to increase TBN, then TBN level is improved, but sulfated ash content increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTBN levelVSAvoidsulfated ash content

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional overbased detergents with sterically hindered amines. This substitution maintains the TBN level while eliminating sulfated ash formation, as the hindered amines provide base number without the ash-forming characteristics of conventional detergents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite lubricating oil composition by combining sterically hindered amines with other lubricating additives. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve high TBN levels while controlling sulfated ash content through the specific properties of the hindered amine components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If highly basic components are used to increase TBN, then TBN level is improved, but corrosion and seal compatibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTBN levelVSAvoidcorrosion and seal compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the base number and steric hindrance parameters of the amine compounds. By using sterically hindered amines with specific molecular structures, the composition achieves high TBN levels while the steric hindrance prevents adverse effects on corrosion and seal compatibility that would otherwise occur with highly basic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If phosphorus and sulfur-containing additives are used to improve lubrication performance, then lubrication performance is improved, but compatibility with after-treatment devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication performanceVSAvoidcompatibility with after-treatment devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates phosphorus and sulfur-containing additives from the lubricating oil composition. By removing these harmful components while retaining lubrication performance through alternative mechanisms, the composition maintains compatibility with exhaust gas after-treatment devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition by replacing phosphorus and sulfur-containing additives with sterically hindered amines. This parameter change maintains lubrication performance while eliminating the harmful effects on after-treatment device compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9969950B2Lubricating oil compositions containing sterically hindered amines as ashless TBN sourcces

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 INFINEUM INT LTD

AI summary

Hindered amines useful as ashless TBN sources for lubricating oil compositions that are compatible with fluoroelastomeric engine seal materials, and lubricating oil compositions containing such compounds.