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In addition to regular maintenance for optimal operation of machines and industrial equipment, lubrication is necessary to prevent wear and ensure smooth movement. For this purpose, lubricants derived from mineral oils are commonly used. The most frequently used lubricant is mineral oil. In this article, we will explore the characteristics and applications of mineral oils and discuss why they are so important.
What is Mineral Oil?
Mineral oils consist of base oils and additives. Base oils are the fundamental oils obtained through the refining of crude oil. Additives are chemicals added to enhance the performance and properties of the oil. Thanks to these additives, mineral oils can perform several important functions, such as preventing wear, reducing friction, preventing corrosion, dissipating heat, and preventing foam formation.
Mineral oils can be broadly categorized into three main types:
Mineral Oils: These are oils derived from the refining of petroleum. They are typically the most common and economical types of mineral oils.
Synthetic Oils: These are oils chemically engineered and produced in a laboratory setting. They offer higher performance and longer lifespan but come at a higher cost.
Biologically Based Oils: These are environmentally friendly oils derived from plant or animal sources. Biologically based oils are more sustainable from an environmental perspective as they are produced from renewable resources.
How Are Mineral Oils Produced?
The production process of mineral oils begins with the refining of crude oil. There are several stages carried out by mineral oil companies during this process:
1. Distillation: This stage involves separating the fractions contained in crude oil that will be used to produce base oils. This process is known as distillation.
2. Refining: This stage removes unwanted components, such as nitrogen and sulfur, from the selected base oils. Methods such as hydrocracking or solvent refining may be used.
3. Additive Blending: Additives are mixed with the base oils to enhance their performance. For example, detergents, antioxidants, or corrosion inhibitors may be added as additives.
4. Mixing and Packaging: In the final stage, the additives and base oils are blended to create a homogeneous mixture and packaged according to the product's specifications.
These four stages generally constitute the industry-accepted process for producing mineral oils. Of course, different companies may have their own proprietary processes, which are kept as trade secrets, but mineral oil production essentially follows these steps.
What Are the Types of Mineral Oils?
Mineral oils are categorized based on their areas of use and viscosities. The main types of mineral oils are as follows:
Automotive Oils: Used in gasoline and diesel engines.
Industrial Oils: Used in gearboxes, hydraulic systems, compressors, and other industrial machinery.
Greases: Used in machine parts and bearings that operate under high temperature and load conditions.
Cutting Oils: Used for cooling and lubrication during metalworking processes.
Transformer Oils: Used for insulation and cooling in electrical transformers.
These are the most used types of mineral oils and have different properties according to their areas of application.
What Are the Advantages of Mineral Oils?
Mineral oils offer numerous advantages depending on the industrial area in which they are used. We can list these as follows:
Prevention of Wear and Tear: Mineral oils prevent friction between moving parts, thereby preventing wear and tear and extending the lifespan of equipment.
Reduction of Friction: By reducing friction, mineral oils help save energy and increase the efficiency of machines.
Prevention of Corrosion: Mineral oils prevent metal parts from rusting and provide protection against corrosion.
Heat Distribution: By absorbing heat and distributing it over the component's surface, mineral oils prevent machines and components from overheating and being damaged.
Prevention of Foam Formation: Mineral oils are also used to prevent foam formation to ensure the smooth operation of machines
As can be seen, the use of mineral oil is essential in machinery and equipment that operate continuously and are exposed to intense heat and pressure. This substance helps to prevent many adverse situations and enhances the operational performance of the equipment.
Where Are Mineral Oils Used?
Mineral oils are used in a wide range of areas across various industries. The main areas of application are as follows:
1. Automotive Industry: Various mineral oils, such as engine oils, transmission oils, and differential oils, are widely used in the automotive industry. These oils reduce friction in moving parts, primarily in the engine and other components of vehicles, preventing wear and improving vehicle performance.
2. Heavy Industry: The use of mineral oils is essential for machines used in heavy industries such as steel production, metalworking, construction, and mining to achieve optimal performance. By using mineral oils, maintenance costs for machines operating under high pressure are reduced, and their lifespan is extended.
3. Energy Sector: Products like compressor oils and turbine oils enable equipment used in energy production facilities to operate more efficiently.
4. Food and Pharmaceutical Industry: Safe oils that can come into contact with food and mineral oils that do not alter the chemical composition of products are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Food-grade mineral oils are produced in accordance with health and safety standards.
5. Aviation and Aerospace Industry: In the aviation and aerospace industry, components like aircraft engines operate under high temperatures and pressures. The mineral oils used for these components have special formulations to ensure efficient performance.
Mineral oil prices vary depending on the sector in which they are used and the purposes for which they are produced. For instance, safe oils suitable for contact with food are sold at different prices compared to mineral oils used in heavy industry. At this point, the cost of additives used for specific purposes also comes into play, making standard pricing impossible.
Mineral oils, which find usage in nearly every sector, have become indispensable products today. Transporting these products from production areas to their usage areas and finally to the end consumer is a field of transportation that requires expertise.
What Are the Critical Points in Mineral Oil Transportation?
In mineral oil transportation, it is crucial to maintain the quality of the transported lubricants and to take meticulous safety precautions to minimize environmental impact since they are petroleum-derived substances. First and foremost, the barrels, drums, or tanks used for transporting the lubricant must be resistant to the chemical properties of the lubricant. Therefore, materials such as steel, aluminum, or plastic are commonly used.
Next, it is essential to ensure that the transport unit carrying the mineral oil is leak-proof. The caps and seals should be correctly placed and tightened. This will prevent product loss and environmental pollution.
Finally, it is necessary to label the packaging with information about the product's contents. Labeling is critically important during handling and the transfer between different transportation modes, as it ensures that those handling the products are cautious and take the necessary precautions during the loading and unloading processes.
Since 1977, Asmira Group has been a reliable industry partner, supporting its stakeholders across various sectors, from maritime to automotive, with wholesale mineral oil sales. With a focus on secure and safe transportation, Asmira Group continues to offer services in petrochemical cargo trading. For details on our unique Asmira services, ranging from transportation and storage to fuel supply and wholesale mineral oils sales, and to get in touch with our offices, you can visit our Asmira Group website.