CHED 1119 |
| Used engine oil, known also as waste crankcase oil - WCO, has become a common environmental contaminant due to our heavy reliance upon refined fossil fuels as a transportation energy source. It is a complex mixture of oxygenated hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds. These degradation products are formed by thermal oxidation of the lubricant. The viscosity of the oil is altered during the process, which leads to the formation of engine sludge and vanish. WCO poses a significant health risks since it is known to contain carcinogenic species. In our study, we simulated the thermal-oxidative degradation of engine oil (5W-30) by adding H2SO4 and heating to 130°C. The ratio of oil/acid ranged from 7:1 to 20:1. Viscosity measurements were performed and the 1H-NMR spectra acquired. It is anticipated that a linkage between the viscosity and NMR data will provide significant insight into the relative toxicity of the resultant mixture. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |