Current lubricants in marine turbomachinery are typically mineral oil-based, which often are toxic and have low biodegradability, and thus pose a serious threat to the marine ecosystems through inevitable leaks or spills. The ORNL team recently invented a new class of ionic liquids (ILs) as novel lubricant additives and has demonstrated significantly reduced marine toxicity and improved lubricity compared with the commercial baselines. The purpose of this project is to answer critical technical questions for the candidate ILs including acute toxicity classification, chronic sublethal effect, biodegradability, compatibility with marine turbine gearbox materials and other lubricant additives, and lubricating performance in marine environments. Results from this study are expected to establish a solid scientific basis to allow further development, optimization, and commercialization of the eco-friendly ILs technology for lubricating marine turbomachinery. Potential benefits include improved marine turbine mechanical efficiency, enhanced turbine durability and reliability, and reduced environmental impact upon lubricant leaks or discharges.
