High demand for polymers is playing significant role in the overall development of process oil industry

Process oil is used in polymer manufacturing as an additive, catalyst, carrier, lubricant, emulsifier, and lubrication carrier. Depending on the kind, the polymer segment is estimated to command the largest market share through the forecast period. Usage is increasing because of its high flexibility over a wide range of polymer systems. However, this versatile ingredient may also have disadvantages for specific applications.

The usefulness of process oil depends on several factors, such as its viscosity, solubility, molecular weight, solubility energy, and temperature. Its low-temperature ability results in process oil that does not stick and leave a layer of droplets behind after dispersion. This feature is especially useful in making thin-film emulsions, where emulsification of dissolved substances is important. In other cases, the oil crystalizes into droplets, which may form clumpy droplets with a high concentration of dissolved matter.

Process oil is mixed with low-temperature water, dilute it in crude oils, and use it as an emulsifier during the oil refining process. During this process, the viscosity increases and lowers the boiling point of crude oils. The use of low temperature and low-pressure methods for emulsification is common, especially in crude oils and lubricants that undergo various heating and drying stages in the refining process. Several types of emulsifiers are available for various kinds of liquids, including gasoline, diesel, hydraulic fluid, coolants, polyethylene glycol (PE), mineral spirits, epoxy resin, xylene, ethyl acetate (EVA), naphthalene, phenol, sulfuric acid, and methyl tertiary butyl ether. The major types of additives are discussed below.

The main advantage of the mechanical emulsifier is that it does not alter the oil characteristics. The use of such equipment helps to maintain the characteristics of the liquid, which may have been changed by some processing steps. It also tends to lower the temperature of the bath oil, which may be desirable in certain applications. This equipment is designed for pretreating the liquid suspension, which makes it easier to remove air bubbles from the final product.