The automotive industry continually evolves, driven by advancements in technology and increasing demands for efficiency and sustainability. One key player in this evolution is the chemical factory in Dubai,
Emirates Refinery is a leading manufacturer of lubricating oil additives. These additives play a pivotal role in enhancing the performance and longevity of vehicles, contributing significantly to the industry’s advancement.
The Role of a Chemical Factory in Dubai, Emirates Refinery
Emirates Refinery, a chemical factory in Dubai, makes a significant contribution to the global automotive industry. The factory specializes in producing top-tier lubricant additives and specialty products, responding to the diverse demands of various industries worldwide.
A Peek into Emirates Refinery
At the heart of Emirates Refinery is a dedicated team of scientists and industry experts committed to delivering superior products and services. The company’s commitment to quality and innovation is evident in its product offerings, ranging from additives, chemical raw materials for industrial, automotive, or marine applications.
Moreover, Emirates Refinery takes pride in its strong customer-centric approach. The company ensures that client service is at the heart of everything they do, going beyond merely providing quality products. With the help of its talented team, Emirates Refinery continually seeks ways to enhance its offerings, leveraging advanced technology, state-of-the-art facilities, and strict quality control measures.
Understanding Lubricants and Lubricating Oil Additives
Lubricants, in their various forms, have been pivotal in reducing friction between moving parts, and enhancing the overall performance and longevity of machinery. However, modern lubricants have evolved to perform various functions in addition to lubricating, such as cleaning, cooling, and sealing.
A crucial component of these lubricants, contributing to their enhanced performance, is the additives. Typically, industrial lubricants comprise 70-90% base oils, with the remainder being additives. These additives augment the vital properties of the lubricant, such as viscosity, thermal stability, and oxidation stability.
Why Additives are Important in Lubricating Oils
Understanding the significance of additives in lubricating oil additives requires a deeper insight into the Stribeck curve. This curve illustrates the varying lubrication regimes that machine elements operate under. For instance, engine bearings function under the hydrodynamic lubrication regime, where the lubricant maintains its viscosity at all temperatures while ensuring a thick fluid film to keep the surfaces in relative motion separated at all loads and speeds.
On the other hand, rolling element bearings operate on elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL), where the surfaces deform elastically, and there is a very thin film separation. Cams and tappets function in the boundary lubrication regime, where significant metal-to-metal contact occurs. In the reciprocating motion of engine piston rings, all four kinds of lubrication regimes occur.
Additives play a significant role in each of these lubrication regimes. In the boundary lubrication regime, where there is substantial metal-to-metal contact, additives reduce friction and prevent wear. In the context of the Stribeck curve, when the speed is very low, the friction is governed by the chemistry of the lubricant molecules. Therefore, additives that can interact with the surface chemistry at a molecular level are essential in reducing friction in this regime.
The Boron-Based Nano-Additive Technology
An innovative approach to enhance the performance of lubricants is the use of boron-based nano-additive technology. These additives, developed by a chemical factory in Dubai, Emirates Refinery, have shown a potential to replace environmentally unsafe sulfur- and phosphorus-bearing anti-wear and friction additives.
Advantages of Boron-Based Nano-Additives
There are several advantages to using boron-based nano-additives in lubricating oils. For one, they consist of boron, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, which are more environmentally benign compared to other additives. Moreover, most boron-based nanoparticulate additives form a boron-rich boundary film on sliding contact surfaces, significantly improving their anti-friction, -wear, and -scuffing performance.
Boron-based nano-additives also have the potential to reduce the use of certain additives, such as zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) and molybdenum dialkyl dithiocarbamate (MoDTC), which are suspected to adversely impact the performance of after-treatment catalysts in engines.
Conclusion
The automotive industry’s continual evolution depends significantly on advancements in lubricant technology. With the increasing demand for efficiency and sustainability, the role of a chemical factory in Dubai like Emirates Refinery is more crucial than ever. By focusing on the development of environmentally friendly lubricant additives, Emirates Refinery is not only enhancing the performance and longevity of vehicles but also contributing to a more sustainable future.