LW-09-109 New Heavy Synthetic Base Fluids for Automotive And Industrial Applications

Description:

The three-year period between the fall of 2005 to 2008 had a dramatic impact on the dynamics of the North American petroleum industry. Four separate major hurricanes entered into the United States through the Gulf of Mexico demonstrating the power of nature, and the devastation that it can bestow on the supply chain for petroleum products. Gasoline, distillate, chemical and lubricant shortages were common, and the ability to rapidly identify and approve alternate sources became an ongoing activity. Within the lubricants industry, several Group I and II refineries were forced to temporarily cut back or in some instances suspend manufacturing operations for an extended period of time. Although a concern, the large refining capacity within North America combined with the availability of imports provided a temporary bridge to maintain compounder-blender and industry operations. Yet selected petroleum segments were impacted more than others, in particular, the heavy poly-alpha-olefin market where only two manufacturers existed. The largest, located in the US Gulf coast, was in the direct path of Hurricane Ike and its extended shutdown restricted the availability of heavy PAO in the market and led many to seek alternative materials, or discontinue product sales where these base stocks were used. Fortunately, the petroleum industry is resilient and in the depths of despair one can point to a glimmer of hope. This was the case for heavy synthetic base stock supply as a new manufacturer evolved out of the US Midwest. These new heavy synthetic base fluids represent a composition of synthetic hydrocarbons. The process is proprietary and the resultant base fluids have chemical and physical properties that are consistent and in some instances improved over conventional heavy PAOs that are produced from decene or dodecene feeds. This paper will discuss these new heavy synthetic base fluids and their application to both automotive, industrial and grease products.