Safety
of
Breathing
Air
Compressor
Fluids
Dr.
James
Sandler
Diester
compressor
fluids
have
been
the
products
preferred
for
the
lubrication
of
Breathing
Air
Compressors.
This
preference
stems
from
their
high
level
of
solvency
and
lubricity
due
to
the
Alcohol
and
Fatty
Acids
present
in
their
chemistry.
It
has
been
assumed
that
these
Esters
are
safe
for
there
intended
application.
Recent
research
into
the
chemical
nature
of
these
diesters
has
indicated
some
major
issues
relating
to
their
safe
use
in
Breathing
Air
Applications
and
especially
their
use
in
Enriched
Oxygen
applications.
The
FDA
authorizes
lubricant
usage
in
food
plants
where
there
is
the
possibility
of
incidental
contact
of
the
lubricant
with
food
stuffs.
The
approved
lubricant
is
listed
as
H-1
(H-2
lubricants
may
be
used
ill
food
plants
but
only
where
there
is
no
possibility
of
contact
with
food
stuffs)
and
meets
the
requirements
of
21
CFR
178.3570.
H-1
lubricants
are
the
safest
type
of
lubricants
that
are
presently
available
and
may
be
present
in
foods
stuffs
that
are
approved
for
Human Consumption.
There
is
no
diester
approved
as
an
H-1
lubricant.
The
concern
on
the
part
of
the
FDA
regarding
diester
lubricants
is
because
of
the
toxicity
levels
of
esters
in
general.
In
Breathing
Air
Applications,
it
is
assured
that
to
a
lesser
or
greater
degree
some
lubricant
will
be
consumed.
The
toxic
effects
of
esters
can
be
approached
on
a
number
of
levels.
The
most
common
esters
used
in
air
compressors
are
Diesters
of
Diisodecyl
and
Tridecyl
Alcohols
and
Acids
(Fig
1).
The
alcohols
used
in
the
production
of
esters
are
normally
tri
or
tetrapropylene,
diisobutene,
codimers
of
propylene
and
n-butenes.
These
oxo-alcohols
are
esterified
in
the
form
of
isomer
mixtures.
The
dicarboxylic
acids
(fatty
acids)
are
joined
with
the
alcohols
in
the
presence
of
acidic
catalysts
(NaHSO4
Phosphoric
acid
and
its
salts
Trialkyl
or
Triaryl
phosphates,
p-toluenesulfonic
acid
and
mineral
acids)
to
make
the
desired
diester.
The
alcohol
groups
and
in
many
cases
the
fatty
acids
have
a
level
of
toxicity
that
is
considered
unacceptable
for
human
consumption.
Diesters
start
to
thermally
decompose
at
temperatures
as
low
as
180C
(374F).
While
this
may
be
desirable
from
the
aspect
that
the
decomposition
products
may
leave
the
compressor
and
thus
have
less
operational
effect.
The
decomposition
products
in
their
natural
states
are
toxic
and
in
thermal degradation
there
are
other
undesirable
compounds
formed
such
as
CO
and
CO2,
This
relative
thermal
instability
is
one
of
the
most
undesirable
traits
of
diesters
in
Breathing
Air
Applications.
Diesters
are
also
subject
to
early
oxidation
at
temperatures
over
65C
(149F)
especially
in
the
presence
of
metals,
especially
copper.
The
presence
of
higher
than
normal
levels
of
oxygen
enhances
this
undesirable
tendency.
The
American
Society
of
Testing
Materials
have
a
test
that
establishes
the
oxidative
stability
of
Oils
at
375
F,
175
psig
in
the
presence
of
pure
oxygen
and
copper
and
steel
catalysts.
This
ASTM
2272
RBOT
test
normally
shows
the
best
diesters
with
test
a
life
of
approximately
I000
minutes.
In
comparison
advance
technology
stabilized
food
grade
products,
such
as
EZ-1000
can
last
twice
as
long
in
this
test
environment.
We
believe
that
it
is
incumbent
on
industry
producing
and
using
consumed
by
the
general
public
to
offer
the
safest
products
that
are
most
up
to
date
technology.
New
technology
highly
stabilized
food
grade
lubricants
are
the
next
step
in
ensuring
that
the
safest
air
possible
is
offered
in
breathing
air applications.
These
new
lubricants
have
demonstrated
constantly
lower
wear
rates
and
superior
oxidative
stability
in
addition
to
their
safer
operation.
Follow
the links below for more information:
Typical
Use and Application Of EZ-1000
Material
Safety Data Sheet
Safety
of Breathing Air Compressor Fluids
Toxins
found in Common High Pressure Compressor Lubricants
Toxicity
of Phthalate Esters used to Lubricate Breathing Air Compressors