CHED 1116 |
| Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is an important automobile lubricant since the majority of cars and trucks on US roads have automatic transmissions. During routine engine operation, the lubricant undergoes an array of physical and chemical changes due to the degradation of the fluid via thermo-oxidation. The resulting complex mixture contains a number of hazardous species that are a threat to the environment and the public health. In this work, we seek to establish a correlation between the 1H-NMR spectra of weathered ATF and its viscosity. The weathered lubricant was produced in the laboratory by the addition of concentrated sulfuric acid to ATF (Valvoline) followed by continuous stirring and heating between 100 - 140°C. The results are compared to fresh ATF. The information acquired from this investigation should provide insight into relative the toxicity of the mixture, its environmental impact, and whether the mixture can be detoxified. |
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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 |