Levulinic-capped estolides having improved physical properties that make them more desirable and suitable as bio-based industrial or commercial products are disclosed. The physical properties of the disclosed estolide compositions have surprisingly low pour points that are substantially lower than previously known estolide compounds and superior to petroleum-based compounds designed for similar applications.

The present technology includes an extreme pressure additive package formulated with a biodegradable sulfur component, which additive package can achieve suitable extreme pressure performance when formulated into a fully formulated industrial gear oil lubricant.

Provided are microalgal compositions and methods for their use. The microalgal compositions include lubricants that find use in industrial and other applications.

Provided herein are grease compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: ##STR00001##
in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 2; R.sub.1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are methods of making estolide-based grease products.

Provided herein are grease compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: ##STR00001##
in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 2; R.sub.1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are methods of making estolide-based grease products.

The present invention relates to a lubricant base oil containing an aromatic ester lubricant represented by Chemical Formula 1 and to a method for preparing the aromatic ester lubricant. By containing an aromatic ester lubricant, the lubricant base oil exhibits an excellent dispersibility and fluidity and is ecofriendly due to a high biodegradability. In addition, the method for preparing the aromatic ester lubricant does not generate such toxic substances as S, N, aromatic compounds and heavy metals and enables an easy control of the physical properties of a desired lubricant base oil by selecting a suitable alcohol compound to be introduced for an esterification reaction.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a lubricant base oil containing an aromatic ester lubricant represented by Chemical Formula 1 and to a method for preparing the aromatic ester lubricant. By containing an aromatic ester lubricant, the lubricant base oil exhibits an excellent dispersibility and fluidity and is ecofriendly due to a high biodegradability. In addition, the method for preparing the aromatic ester lubricant does not generate such toxic substances as S, N, aromatic compounds and heavy metals and enables an easy control of the physical properties of a desired lubricant base oil by selecting a suitable alcohol compound to be introduced for an esterification reaction. ##STR00001##

The invention relates to a composition preparation method for preparing a composition of estolides, the method comprising reacting an unsaturated compound of a type such as an acid or ester, with a saturated fatty acid; in the presence of a catalyst of a type such as sulphonic acid, the said method including no vacuum distillation step thereby making it possible to separate the monoestolides from the polyestolides. The invention also relates to a composition of estolides that is obtainable by the method according to the invention and the use thereof in lubricating compositions.

Provided are microalgal compositions and methods for their use. The microalgal compositions include lubricants that find use in industrial and other applications.

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a dry-type lubricant for use in a dry product hopper to help improve dry product flow and to improve anti-jamming properties of the dry product. The example lubricant can comprise a hydrophilic fiber, such as cellulose, having a width to length aspect ratio that provides a thin fiber. A plurality of hydrophobic particles are deposited on the surface of the fiber, resulting in a fiber surface exhibiting amphiphobic properties. Further, the fiber can operably absorb water, and then releases the absorbed water to the surface of the fiber under mechanical stress, such as when mixed with a product in a hopper. This can result in the water being disposed on the surface of the fiber, to provide lubrication to a product in a hopper to improve flow and anti-jamming characteristics of the product in the hopper.