A) Laboratory and quality control:
Kimesco Lab has provided services and technologies to analyze the tests and process their data on the samples related to the products. These services include a complete set of tests to measure the physical and chemical qualities of petroleum products, especially lubricants. Among these tests are:
- Kinematic viscosity at 40 and 100 degrees Celsius (ASTM D445)
One of the significant and practical processes of oil and gas and petrochemical laboratories is determining the kinematic viscosity of fluids. Viscosity, as the fluid resistance to flow, appears as the movement of neighboring portions relative to one another. A viscometer is a device that measures the fluids' viscosity and has many types in terms of temperature range, operating conditions, etc.
- Calculation of viscosity index (ASTM D 2270)
The viscosity, especially of oil and petroleum products, depends on temperature, and the viscosity index is a method to place the numerical value on the variable, which is calculated based on comparing the relative rate of viscosity change at two different temperatures by the viscosity index. One of the most common methods for computing the viscosity index is measuring the kinematic viscosity at two temperatures of 40 and 100 degrees Celsius and calculating it using the ASTM-D 2270 standard.
- Specific gravity (Density @ 15℃) and other temperatures (ASTM D 1298)
The density of a substance is defined as its mass per unit volume of that substance at the standard temperature. The density of fluids can be determined in different ways. But one of the methods, especially for oil and its products, is to use a hydrometer.
- Pour & Cloudy Point (ASTM D 97)
The lowest temperature at which the fluid flows, under certain conditions, is called the pour point. This test is performed following the ASTM D97 with the appropriate equipment.
- Aniline Point (ASTM D 611)
It is the minimum temperature at which equal volumes of aniline (N7H6C) and petroleum products are miscible; this method determines the amount of miscibility of an aromatic petroleum compound in aniline at a specific temperature.
- Flash & Fire point open & close cup; (ASTM D 92, 93)
The flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid (usually a petroleum product) will form a vapor in the air near its surface that will “flash,” or briefly ignite, on exposure to an open flame. This test is done in two ways, closed and open, and the appropriate equipment is used. The Flash Point Close Cup device measures the flash point of volatile substances and solvents, and the Flash Point Open Cup device is proper for substances with a flash point of 79 to 400 degrees Celsius.
- Element Analysis (ASTM D3340)
The presence of additives in petroleum products has advantages and disadvantages, the determination of which has a particular value. Some additives in oil products are antiwear, the amount of which is significant.
- Noack volatility test (ASTM D 5800)
It was developed by Dr. Kurt Novak in the 1930s and used in Europe for the first time. This method was introduced as a way to reveal the evaporation of lubricating oils and, in general, the oil resistance to the phenomenon of depletion due to evaporation at a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius under the influence of passing air with a specified and controlled flow rate in an hour.
- Hydrocarbon distribution test (PONA Analysis); (ASTM D 3238)
Analyzing the hydrocarbon mixtures (the amount of paraffinic, isoparaffinic, aromatic, and naphthenic compounds without olefins) by measuring parameters such as refractive index, density, and molecular weight (n-d-m) is possible by calculation based on the ASTM D3238 standard. This method determines the percentage composition of hydrocarbons in the aromatic ring (%CA), the naphthenic ring (%CN), and the paraffin chain (%CP) structures.
Viscosity Gravity Constant (VGC) (ASTM D 2501).
The viscosity-gravity constant is an efficient function for the approximate description of fractions of viscous substances. It is not sensitive to molecular weight; it is related to the composition of fluids and expressed in terms of their specific structural elements. VGC values close to 0.800 are compounds with paraffinic characteristics, while values close to 1.00 indicate the superiority of aromatic structures.
- Foam Test (ASTM D 892)
The dispersion of bubbles made of gas (usually air) in a fluid formed as a stable mass is called foam. The foam is unstable; it will disintegrate into a fluid without applying any force and will turn into a liquid again.
- Total Acid Number (TAN); (ASTM D664)
The TAN is a criterion of acidic compounds, especially organic acid hydrocarbons in petroleum products. It is particularly crucial in oils, including used oil. TAN can be increased because of the oxidation process during lubrication, and so can the level of oil degradation.
- Total Base Number (TBN); (ASTM D 2896)
The total base number is a measure to determine the alkaline earth metals in a lubricant, which indicates its cleaning properties.
Determining the sudden decrease in TBN number can be due to one or more following reasons:
- The presence of a high level of sulfur in fuel,
- Incomplete combustion of the fuel in the engine
- Fuel mixing with engine oil
- Heavy oxidation
The alkalinity indicates the oil's ability to deal with the acids produced in combustion engines, and naturally, its values are different in different oils.
- Determining Ash Content (ASTM D 482)
The ash remaining in heavy petroleum products, fuels, and oils is one of the most vital mineral compounds in petroleum products, and the presence or absence of ash as the solid remnants of burning, depending on the application, is of particular importance for qualitative and in some cases quantitative and subsequent analyses.
- Determining Water Content (ASTM D 95)
Crude oil and petroleum products often contain between 0 and 25 percent water by volume, and different methods, such as voltammetry, coulometry, Dean-Stark, etc., are used to determine the amount of water according to its sensitivity. Dean-Stark distillation tester conforms to the ASTM D 95 Standard Test Method.
- Distillation of petroleum products at atmospheric pressure (atm) (ASTM D 86)
A physical and frequent process of separating materials from each other, especially in liquids, is based on the difference in boiling point or distillation, which is possible using the ASTM D86 standard test method.
- Vacuum Distillation (ASTM D 1160)
Separation of heavy oil fractions in atmospheric pressure is challenging and is often accompanied by molecular breakdown. Vacuum distillation makes separation possible by placing the sample under reduced pressure and distillation.
- Refractive index (ASTM D 1747); (Refractometer)
Measuring the average refractive index (ND) of transparent and semi-transparent liquid and solid materials is called refractometry. Refractometry can be used to determine the purity of substances or solutions. The desktop refractometer is used in various industries such as oil factories, pharmaceutical, paint, food, and chemical industries, sugar factories, geological investigations, medical industries, and medical diagnosis etc.,
- Qualitative analysis of oil stability and degradability by MPC (Membrane patch colorimetric) (ASTM D 7843)
The most practical, accurate, and cost-effective method to detect the potential of oil varnish is the Membrane Patch Colorimetric (MPC) test. This method determines the ability to create varnish in oil through the MPC (colorimetry) test.
- Blending & formulating all kinds of lubricants on a laboratory scale
Blending means the process of mixing, which refers to combining two liquids from petroleum products to create one product in the oil and petrochemical industries.
Fractions and compounds obtained from crude oil, as well as the extraction of various products obtained in the refining process, can be used as raw materials for industries and businesses in the process of producing petroleum derivatives with different volumes of different materials and with potential and technical specifications, in both chemical and physical structures, or as a consumable for general users (for example, car fuel, factories, electricity generation, etc.); none of these materials can be used directly and rawly.
- Measuring vapor pressure of petroleum products (ASTM D5191)
Vapor pressure devices measure the total vapor pressure exerted in the vacuum by liquid, volatile, air-containing petroleum products and liquid fuels, including oxygenated or non-oxygenated fuels of spark ignition engines.
It should be noted that the measured steam pressure ranges from 37.8 kPa to 100 kPa (7 psi and 130 psi) at 1.0 degrees Celsius (18.6 degrees Fahrenheit) with a boiling point above 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
B) Research laboratory:
-
Research is a creative act that leads to the creation of new products or facilitates the ability of previous products using technological innovations. Applying new technologies and implementing them as the most influential factor in production requires careful and thorough research. The researchers and specialists of Kimesco Lab have achieved this objective by conducting the research mission, defining new goals, developing creativity, and using diversified and specialized laboratory equipment in the fields of oil, gas, and petrochemicals; they can carry out research projects in the following fields:
Environment:
One of the main problems of humankind is the disposal of pollutants and by-products. So, various methods have been used to prevent them from harming the environment; transforming these materials into valuable products is possible with technical knowledge and reuse technologies. Today, one of the main criteria for the industrialization of advanced countries is how to use and transform these compounds. The attitude towards environmental protection has changed according to the societies' way of thinking, and environmental protection is now considered an investment in the oil industry, especially in the business of lubricants, for the future.
Kimesco Research Center, as an industrial research center, has been able to carry out drastic actions by conducting studies, reviews, evaluations, and numerous related research in the field of the effect of lubricants on the environment.
Petroleum products:
Crude oil and its extracted products, as the most crucial part of the country's industry, require extensive studies, research, and evaluation that can be outlined as follows:
- Refinement of crude oil and new products
- Achieving new technologies in the field of compounds used in the oil industry
- Cost reduction process and improving the quality of refined products
- Quality improvement (QI) etc,
Oil products:
BASE OIL
The perfect combination of suitable base oil and related additives is necessary to achieve an intended lubricant. Base oil is the most crucial component by volume and typically makes up more than 95% of the structure of a lubricant by weight. Some lubricants, such as compressor and hydraulic oils, contain 99% base oil and 1% additives.
On the other hand, some other lubricants, such as metalworking fluids, greases, or industrial gear oils, contain 30% additives; the base oil can be obtained from petroleum or non-petroleum sources. Today, a vital part of global base oil consumed is obtained from crude oil refining. So, the characteristics of base oils are dependent on the type of crude oil and the refining operation; due to the structure of crude oil, which contains various compounds such as paraffinic, naphthenic, and aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as sulfur-containing compounds, base oils will also consist of these compounds, and the most crucial factor in a base oil obtained from crude oil is refining.
Classification of base oils based on physical-chemical properties:
Various refining and synthesis processes have made the base oils display different properties. So, the American Petroleum Association (API) has classified base oils according to their physicochemical properties and characteristics:
- Group I base oils usually initial with SN, which stands for Solvent Neutral, such as SN 100, SN 150, SN 350, SN 500, SN 650
- Group II base oils also usually initials with N for neutrals, such as 60N, 100N, 150N, 500N, 600N
- Group III base oils are also usually referred to by their viscosity, such as CST 4 and CST 6
Additives for making lubricants include:
- Detergents and dispersants
- Viscosity index improver (VI-IMPROVER).
- Anti-oxidants
- Anti-wear additives
- Anti-corrosion and anti-rust additives
- Pour point depressants
- Anti-foam agents
- Lubricants:
They are used to control and reduce friction and prevent surfaces from wear, especially in objects in contact with each other in relative motion, to minimize heat and abrasive wear, and to facilitate power transmission, protection, and sealing by using the additives used in them.
A lubricant can be a liquid (oil, water, etc.), solid (graphite, graphene, molybdenum disulfide), gas (air), or even semi-solid (grease).
Today, liquid lubricants are classified into synthetic/semi-synthetic oils and minerals compatible with the environment (biodegradable) based on the used base oils. Most lubricants contain additives (5-30%) to improve performance and utility. Almost all companies are now trying to use compatible products due to the importance of improving environmental conditions and preventing pollution caused by lubricant waste.
New technologies:
The rapid growth of population, technological progress, cultural change, and reaching a higher level of human civilization, especially in the last century, have led to dramatic changes in the natural environment and ecosystems of many parts of the world. The harmful effects of technology in the past times on the environment have created a new awareness of environmental issues in people, leading to new developments in recent technologies. This collection has a new approach to conserving fossil fuel energy, improving energy efficiency, reducing environmental pollutants, and optimizing the recycling of refinery waste, especially oil, and its products to reduce pollution and create more added value in sync with other research and research centers worldwide. Some of the activities conducted are as follows:
1) Improving the quality and increasing the added value of the products in the market
2) Converting by-products obtained from processes into products with higher quality and added value
3) Producing synthetic products with the highest quality and minimal waste