Process and apparatus for manufacturing grease

• US 8,962,542 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2010
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Northern Iowa
• Original Assignee: University of Northern Iowa
• Inventors: James, Wesley E., Honary, Lou A. T.
• Primary Examiner(s): GOLOBOY, JAMES C
• Application Number:
  US13/265,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20130029887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,769 Days
• Field of Search: 508/150, 508/539, 219/678
• US Class Current: 508/539
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 117/02 having only one carboxyl group bound to an acyclic carbon atom, cycloaliphatic carbon atom or hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 117/04 containing hydroxy groups
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 177/00 Special methods of preparation of lubricating compositions; Chemical modification by after-treatment of components or of the whole of a lubricating composition, not covered by other classes
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2207/1265 used as thickening agent
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2207/1285 used as thickening agents
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/02 Groups 1 or 11
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/02 Bearings
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2050/10 Semi-solids; greasy

Abstract

A process and corresponding apparatus and system for use in preparing soaps from fatty acid containing oil compositions, and in turn, for preparing greases by the use of such soaps in combination with one or more base oils.

Claims

1. A process for preparing grease, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a first oil composition comprising one or more fatty acids,

b) heating the first oil composition by the use of microwave energy to a desired reaction temperature,

c) adding a basic reagent to the heated first oil composition in order to form a second composition,

d) heating the second composition by the use of microwave energy, under conditions suitable to form a soap composition upon reaction between the basic reagent and fatty acids,

e) heating the soap composition using microwave energy in order to dehydrate the soap composition to a desired degree, and

f) combining the soap composition with one or more second oil compositions under conditions suitable to form a grease.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the first and second oil compositions each comprise a vegetable oil.

3. A process according to claim 2, wherein the vegetable oil is selected from the group consisting of apricot kernel, avocado, babassu, castor, coconut, corn, cottonseed, flaxseed, grapeseed, groundnut, hempseed, Jojoba—

refined, Jojoba—

golden, lard, linseed, macadamia, oleic acid, olive, palm kernel, palm, poppyseed, rape, ricebran, ricinoleic acid, safflower, sesame, soy, soy HOBO (08-204), sunflower, and walnut.

4. A process according to claim 3, wherein the first and second oil compositions are the same.

5. A process according to claim 3, wherein the first and second oil compositions are different.

6. A process according to claim 1, wherein the basis reagent comprises lithium.

7. A process according to claim 1, wherein one or more additives are added to the grease.