Background analysis and development of a lubricating oil management system for Bangladesh

Abstract

Lubricating oil is called the ‘Blood of an engine and machine’. The performance, desired service life, energy-economic efficiency of an engine and machine depends on quality of lubricants. However, adequate codes and standards, regulations, policies, guidelines and enforcement towards the effective quality control and application of lubricants are not up to date in Bangladesh. Proper implementation and monitoring of lubricating oil market are not sufficient to control proper management system. Adulteration of lubricating oil is common scenario in Bangladesh lubricating oil market, which causing damage to the durability of engines. Guidelines for law enforcement and punishments are needed to control adulterations. Used lubricants are harmful for environment and thus, the base oil can be used after re-refining for producing blended lubricants after mixing with additives in appropriate proportion. Therefore, the current study was carried out to study the recent acts, notification, regulations, codes and standards of lubricants used for lubricating oil business. The study was carried out demand and supply trends of lubricants and environment impacts and proper disposal of used lubricants. The study also aimed to detect the opportunities of entering adulterated and sub-standard lubricating oils in the local market. For this purpose, three different categories of adulterated oil samples were collected and tested to conduct comparisons study. The study also reported the base oil recovery process from waste lubricants and its management system. Based on literature survey it can be seen that globally the latest engine oil service category API (American Petroleum Institute) SN with resource conservation was established for gasoline engine. However, in Bangladesh API SJ, SG/CC category using as the latest lubricant standard for gasoline engine which is not compatible. On the other hand, API CF combined with ACEA 96 E2 and ACEA 96 E2 are the latest lubricant standards used for diesel engine in Bangladesh although those are obsolete according to API and ACEA standards for new model vehicles. Adulterated lubricating oil test results show that the difference between adulterated and original oil is difficult to tell. To find out adulterated lubricating oil, infrared spectrum test is more accurate than other tests. The engines of vehicles are getting damaged within a short service time for using the adulterated lubricants. The lack of regulatory control has led to unscientific disposal of hazardous waste throughout the country, posing serious risks to public health and the environment.