What are hydrofinished base stocks? What other kinds of base oils are available in the world?
The list is extensive. Hydro-finished base oils are mineral oils that have been subjected to a light hydrogenation treatment to remove certain impurities that could affect the oil’s chemical stability. There is a long list of synthetic fluids used to make lubricants; poly-alpha-olefins, long chain organic esters, phosphate esters, poly-glycols, poly-alkylbenzenes are the most common. New refineries are being built in which natural gas (methane) is converted into liquid fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel), and a useful by-product will be heavier hydrocarbon molecules which can be used in lubricants. These gas-to-liquid base stocks are expected to have properties similar to some of the synthetic molecules now used, but be available at a much lower cost.
