High throughput preparation of lubricating oil compositions for combinatorial libraries

Abstract

A high throughput preparation of a plurality of different lubricating oil compositions for combinatorial libraries and subsequent high throughput screening for lubricant performance is provided. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil compositions are generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

1 . A method for preparing a plurality of different lubricant oil formulations comprising: 
 a) providing a major amount of at least one base oil of lubricating viscosity and a minor amount of at least one lubricating oil additive for combination to formulate a lubricating oil composition;    b) providing a plurality of test reservoirs;    c) combining, under program control, the major amount base oil of lubricating viscosity and lubricating oil additive in varying percentage compositions to provide a plurality of different lubricating oil composition samples; and,    d) containing each of the different lubricating oil composition samples in the plurality of test reservoirs.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test reservoirs comprise recesses in a unitary body.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test reservoirs comprise individual receptacles.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the combining step (c) is performed within each respective test reservoir.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the combining step (c) is performed outside of the test reservoirs.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the combining step (c) comprises metering predetermined respective amounts of the base oil of lubricating viscosity and the lubricating oil additive, the metering being automatically controlled by a computer controller.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the combining step (c) includes mixing of the base oil of lubricating viscosity and the lubricating oil additive.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the mixing is accomplished by static mixing.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the mixing is accomplished by agitation.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the agitation comprises mechanical stirring.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the agitation comprises ultrasonic agitation.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of heating the base oil of lubricating viscosity or lubricating oil additive or both.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base oil of lubricating viscosity is a natural or synthetic oil.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricating oil additive is selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, anti-wear agents, detergents, rust inhibitors, dehazing agents, demulsifying agents, metal deactivating agents, friction modifiers, pour point depressants, antifoaming agents, co-solvents, package compatibilisers, corrosion-inhibitors, ashless dispersants, dyes, extreme pressure agents and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lubricating oil compositions includes at least five samples.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality lubricating oil compositions includes at least 100 samples.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the lubricating oil composition samples has a volume of no more than about 20 ml.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the lubricating oil composition samples has a volume of no more than about 15 ml.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the lubricating oil composition samples has a volume of no more than about 10 ml.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the lubricating oil composition samples has a volume of no more than about 5 ml.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising analyzing the plurality of lubricating oil compositions.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing information regarding the identity of the lubricating oil compositions in the plurality of combinations of lubricating oil compositions in a database.  
     
     
         23 . A system for preparing a plurality of lubricant oil formulations, under program control, which comprises: 
 a) a supply of at least one base oil of lubricating viscosity;    b) a supply of at least one lubricating oil additive;    c) a plurality of test reservoirs;    d) means for combining selected quantities of the at least one base oil of lubricating viscosity with selected quantities of the at least one lubricating oil additive to form a plurality of lubricating oil composition samples; and,    e) means for dispensing each lubricating oil composition sample in a respective test reservoir.    
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the base oil of lubricating viscosity is a natural or synthetic oil.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the lubricating oil additive is selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, anti-wear agents, detergents, rust inhibitors, dehazing agents, demulsifying agents, metal deactivating agents, friction modifiers, pour point depressants, antifoaming agents, co-solvents, package compatibilisers, corrosion-inhibitors, ashless dispersants, dyes, extreme pressure agents and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the test reservoirs comprise recesses in a unitary body.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the test reservoirs comprise a plurality of individual receptacles.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a computer controller for automatically controlling said means for combining and means for dispensing.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said means for dispensing and said plurality of test reservoirs are movable relative to each other.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a computer controlled metering apparatus for metering selected quantities of the base oil and additive for mixing to provide the lubricant oil samples.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the means for combining comprises a mixer.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the mixer is a baffle-containing static mixer.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the mixer is a mechanical stirrer.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the mixer is an ultrasonic mixer.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a heater.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the means for dispensing includes a mixing chamber and a nozzle extending from the mixing chamber, the nozzle terminating in an outlet opening through which the lubricant oil composition samples are rejected.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , further including means to pressurize the mixing chamber to eject the lubricating oil composition samples.