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Volume 11, December 2016, Pages 1-13
Comparative physico-chemical analysis of low-price bulk Nigerian commercial engine oils
Barnabas Atucia, Binfa Bongfab, H.E. Ajibilib
a Mubeco Petroleum Company Limited, Kaduna, Nigeria
b Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Nigeria
Abstract
The largest players in the
lubricant market in Nigeria are the low-price commercial bulk engine
oil manufacturers. Their market dynamics are boosted by the
consumers’ blind patronage, which is price-based, without authentic
knowledge of the serviceability of these products. This work used
physicochemical test parameters to predict the serviceability of
these low-price engine oils. Six candidate products which are very
popular in the market were investigated. The results, when compared
with the standard specified for SAE 40 oil revealed that all the
candidate oils fell within SAE 40 grade oil, and their specific
gravity, pour points and flash points meet the statutory standard
requirements. However, only two out of the six candidate products
clearly passed crankcase oils minimum statutory standard; one
candidate may be accepted when subjected to early drain time because
of its low total base number (TBN) which leaves an operator with
higher cost implications. The remaining three candidates are unfit
for use, majorly from the TBN point of view; with one of these last
three also having very low viscosity index (VI). The characteristics
of the last three presents a scenario that the VI, and TBN of some
of the oils could cause the engines in which they are used to
experience early wear from lubricating film starvation and possibly
corrosion effect.
Keywords
Commercial bulk engine oils; Low price; Product integrity
Full Text
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