Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Thickener on Grease Production

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used to produce grease from spent engine oil. A study of the unworked penetration, viscosity, and dropping point of the grease were analyzed under different temperature ranges, from 30°C to 60°C.

The grease produced was of Brown colour on physical observation. The viscosity decreased at increased temperature with its minimum viscosity being 340.2 and maximum viscosity 590.0. The penetration point also increase as temperature increased and the minimum penetration was found to be 255.0 (in 10-1 mm) and maximum penetration was 415.2 (in 10-1 mm). The dropping point test showed an increase with increase in temperature. The minimum dropping point was 177.4°C while the maximum dropping point was 239.3°C. An increase of temperature up to 40°C shows the consistency number for the grease to be within most commercially available grease grade i.e. within grade 2 and 3 in the market, hence, the grease produced shows good quality for application within working temperature of between 30°C and 40°C.