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MIMET Technical Bulletin Volume 1 (2) 2010
Feature Article 4
FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE USAGE OF PALM OIL AS ALTERNATIVE NON
PETROLEUM‐BASED HYDRAULIC FLUID IN MARINE APPLICATION
AZRI HAMIM AB ADZIS*
Department of Advance Science & Advance Technology
Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur
Received: 21 May 2010; Revised: 9 July 2010 ; Accepted: 13 July 2010
ABSTRACT
Most hydraulic applications on land or sea utilize petroleum‐based hydraulic fluid as the working fluid. Fluid leakages are
quite common and in marine application fluid are easily leaked into sea water causing pollutions. An alternative hydraulic
fluid with similar properties as petroleum‐based fluids at lower cost is required to be used in marine applications to mini‐
mize impact on the environment. Water‐based or synthetic fluids such as water‐glycol, phosphate ether and synthetic
esters are expensive and have certain disadvantages compared with petroleum‐based fluid such as relatively low operat‐
ing temperature, viscosity changes with temperature fluctuation and corrosive against rubber seal. An alternative fluid
may inhibit some of the above weaknesses but can be acceptable if the cost is lower. The purpose of this case study is to
determine the suitability of palm oil mixture as hydraulic fluid with similar capabilities with petroleum based fluid. (Data
on palm oil properties are to be obtained from literature research and a comparison with petroleum based fluid will be
made). Suitability will be determined from the fluids’ suitability to maintain viscosity at very high pressure and varying
temperature and also its impact on the environment. Further research on palm oil characteristic in high pressure pumps
and hydraulic equipments compatibility is needed.
Keyword: Hydraulics fluid, palm oil, marine, alternative
1. INTRODUCTION
Hydraulics always leaks! It may sound like a
catchy commercial but most hydraulic users
will testify on the truthfulness of the state‐
ment. As the most common hydraulic fluid
base is mineral oil or petroleum based oil, any
leakage can be considered as a potential envi‐
ronmental disaster related to petroleum
products. These petroleum products and
other additive in the hydraulic fluids can harm
the marine life and wreck havoc to the eco‐
system. Experience from past incidents of
petroleum spills shows that irreparable harm
to the environment as seen in the Exxon Val‐
dez oil spill where thousands of marine ani‐
mals were killed [1]. While a disaster of such
magnitude may not be a suitable comparison
*Corresponding Author: Tel.: +605‐6909055
Email address: azri@mimet.unikl.edu.my
with leaks of hydraulics fluids, the fact re‐
mains that petroleum byproducts are harmful
to the environment.
The problems with petroleum based hydraulic
fluids are the non‐biodegradability of the fluid
and the harmful effect it has on the environ‐
ments. Any spills can kill of marine life or con‐
taminate the environments making the spillage
site to be inhabitable for a long period.
Additionally, the toxicity of most hydraulic
fluid additives and the occupational health
and safety issue, lead to an environmentally
safer alternative of petroleum based fluids in
environmental sensitive areas.
The New York State Department of Environ‐
mental Conservation, NYSDEC, legally required
the reporting of any petroleum products spill‐
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