Free Custom «The Importance of Oils» Essay Paper

Motor oils are critical in the efficient operation of engines. The action of motor oil as a hydrodynamic lubricant is essential in the easy engine starting process while reducing friction and preventing wear like corrosion. Friction leads to the generation of heat, which results in warping of engine parts; hence distorting movement. Oil acts as a slick film placed between moving engine parts allowing them to glide over each other. Motor oil is critical in sealing gaps between cylinder walls and piston rings (Miller, 2009). While oil keeps the engine surface clean by washing away impurities, it is critical in the cooling process of the engine. Motor oil disperses heat through dispersion of heat through the moving parts of the engine.

The presence of impurities and foreign objects accumulated through the engine processes can cause significant damage to the engine; therefore, motor oil holds these deposits and impurities in suspension beyond the engine parts. These prolong the lifespan of the engine while improving its performance efficiency. The ability of motor oil to prevent corrosion and abrasion of the engine parts is vital. Corrosion erodes the engines ability to perform optimally leading to engine breakdowns due to impurities in the engine system and clogging of oil pathways. The ease of engine movement is essential for the smooth operation of the engine and the transmission of heat; hence preventing thermal degradation. However, motor oil will be effective and efficient when used in the right class of engine. It enables optimal functioning of the engine.

Impact in Interaction with Metal

Friction in engines may present in varying degrees; these can range from easy sliding to erratic, uneven movements. These may cause damage through generation of excessive heat. Therefore, motor oil impact on interaction with metal is characterized by its viscosity and chemical components. Hence, the impacts of oil are reflected in engine functions, which can be positive or negative depending on the oil type. Oil should be stored in such a way that it is not compromised by heat and impurities (Miller, 2009). Exposure of oil to air can cause oxidation process to take place leading to the creation of unstable by products, which result from creation of acidic compounds. These results in corrosion of engine parts change in oil viscosity, deposits, sludge, varnish and insoluble oxidation production that cause engine degradation. Oxidation by-product has a tendency to attack internal engine bearing materials (Fitamen Et al., 2007).

When oil is exposed to water, it can cause significant problems with oil passageways and oil filters; however, oil contamination causes numerous negative impacts on engines. For instance, where oil is stored in containers, which contained fuel, the oil may be contaminated; hence reducing its viscosity, which can lead to the excessive wear damaging the engine. The acidic by-products resulting from oil oxidation and combustion demonstrate high corrosive affinity; therefore, can cause pitting in internal engine parts while increasing the generation of more wear debris. While the effects of oxidation have impacted on engine performance negatively, they can be mitigated through refining the contaminated oil to eliminate the chemical contents causing oxidation.

The Relationship between Oil and Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution has been attributed to petroleum products including oil. Oil has impacted the environment negatively due to poor disposal methods and techniques used by oil users. Oil pollution leads to the death of ecosystems, soil, water and air. Oil is a component of carbon; therefore, when it is burned, it leads to carbon emissions into the atmosphere (Miller, 2009). These contribute to global warming; hence shifting in weather patterns causing significant climatic changes, which have detrimental impacts. In the event of oil spills, a crucial part of the aquatic ecosystems become extinct. The industrial and automotive industries dispose of used oils in such a way that it drains into water bodies, which flow into the oceans.

Therefore, a significant percentage of ocean pollution is from runoffs and ocean dumping. These factors have impacted the environment negatively degrading the integrity of plant and animal life. Oil contaminated soils do not have the capacity to grow anything since the soil organisms are killed off leading to inadequate oxygen level in the soil. The contamination of underground water can have long term ramifications, which include polluted water for consumption and surface water for other uses. Hence, oil has a direct relationship with the effects of environmental pollution. It is critical to implement measures aimed at preventing instances of oil pollution.

Future Alternatives of Motor Oils

The advancement in technological applications has seen significant interest in the development of oils, which require minimal quantity of metal organic additives; therefore, contributing to the development of environment friendly motor oils. This is essential in reducing ash accumulations caused by motor oils; therefore, increasing the life and efficiency of filters. Therefore, future alternatives of oil will be biodegradable, renew-able and non-toxic. These characteristics are identifiable with developments in vegetable oils like soya bean oil (Adhvaryu, 2012). The cost of production for these oils will be critically reduced given the fact they will be derived from plants, which are cultivated at lower costs in contrast to fossil fuel prospecting. Organic oil will not impact on the environment by causing pollution but will be a clean form of oil, which is environmental friendly (TGI 1996). This will reduce the green house effect, which is prevalent as a result of industrial and automotive activities.

While the development of environment friendly oils is underway, it will be crucial to implement environmental policies aimed at safe-guarding the existing ecosystems against further exposure to pollutants like spilt motor oils. These measures should include implementation of waste management policies aimed at regulating, assessing, monitoring and controlling industrial installation sites and oil storage installations to ascertain the safety of the environment; hence working with the oil industry to establish standing orders in the event of oil pollution. These initiatives will include identifying and creating more recycling facilities for used oil in order to refine it for use in an environment friendly approach.

Conclusion

The choice for oil to be used is critical in determine engine efficiency, and longevity, therefore, selecting the engine oil one should factor the engine model, its mileage coverage and type of fuel used. These aspects are characterized by attributes illustrated by a given type of oil. However, engine oils illustrate different viscosity on the basis of the engine model the oil is meant for; hence an adequate choice should be made to avoid creating engine problems resulting from using the wrong category of motor oil. In light of these, due care should be made to ensure that the motor oil use has the capacity to function efficiently for a defined time frame without causing harm to the engine.

Thus, motor oil durability is a significant aspect, which should be considered factoring in possible compromises to this end. It is critical to change the motor oil as often as possible. This will facilitate the engine operations to function smoothly without incidents, hence protecting the integrity of the engine. However, motor oil drainage method should factor in aspects of impurities and oxidation in order to determine the best method applicable. Motor oils are critical to the efficient functioning of engines, through the lubrication of internal moving components of the automotive. Therefore, utmost care should be taken to ensure the applicable motor oils are not compromised, and it is the optimal choice. In light of these, drained and used oils should be recycled to prevent further environmental degradation.