Bio-lubricants as viable replacements for mineral oils in automotive engines: A review

This review paper explores the potential of bio-lubricants as sustainable alternatives to conventional mineral oils for the lubrication of automotive engines. Bio-lubricants, which are derived from renewable sources such as vegetable oils, provide substantial environmental advantages, such as reduced toxicity and biodegradability. The review summarizes the results of recent research, emphasizing the superior lubricity, oxidative stability, and wear resistance of bio-lubricants, particularly those that have been formulated with additives to improve performance. The chemical structure and fatty acid composition of vegetable oils, including soybean, palm, and cottonseed oils, are the subject of discussion, as they have a significant impact on their lubrication properties. The efficacy of advanced modeling techniques, such as genetic algorithm (GA) and artificial neural networks (ANN), in the prediction and optimization of bio-lubricant formulations is assessed. Despite their promising qualities, bio-lubricants encounter obstacles such as fluctuations in raw material quality and increased production costs. The review underscores the necessity of ongoing research and development to confront these obstacles, with an emphasis on enhancing performance consistency and cost-effectiveness. It is argued that the transition to bio-lubricants is a crucial step in the pursuit of sustainable automotive lubrication, as it reduces dependence on non-renewable resources and mitigates environmental damage. Future research directions and recommendations are suggested to further improve the applicability and adoption of bio-lubricants in the automotive industry.