Light cracked naphtha (LCN) is one of the olefin streams
obtained
from oil refinery in the petrochemical fluidized catalytic cracking
unit. In this communication, we report a new method for the conversion
of LCN into lubricity improvers for ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD)
through a feasible two-step synthetic procedure. In the first step,
olefins of LCN were subjected to the hydroboration reaction using
BH
3
to get the hydroxy LCN derivative which was then subjected
to the esterification reaction with different organic acids to get
the final LCN esters (6a–j). The lubricating property of the
LCN esters was studied at two blending concentrations (300 and 150
ppm, wt/vol) with ULSD. Interestingly, ester (6a) derived from stearic
acid showed the tiniest wear scar diameter in both dosage levels.
The mechanism of lubricity action of LCN esters on metallic surfaces
was studied by analyzing the worn surfaces using scanning electron
microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. The
studies reveal that the lubricity additives derived from cracked naphtha
through a simple chemical reaction strategy are promising precursors
in enhancing the lubricity of ULSD.