Method of obtaining an purified wool fat and use as an additive to lubricants

A method of producing a lubricant enhancer which comprises the steps of:

• (a) heating wool fat in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of 150.degree. to 200.degree. C. to effect the esterification of free alcohols and fatty acids contained in said wool fat;
• (b) subjecting the resulting product of step (a) to intimate contact with a nonaqueous polar solvent at a temperature of at least 80.degree. C. until it is essentially completely dissolved;
• (c) cooling the product of step (b) to a temperature in the range of -20.degree. to -30.degree. C. to form a precipitated sediment;
• (d) separating said precipitated sediment and dissolving it in a nonpolar organic solvent;
• (e) flushing the resulting nonpolar organic solvent solution with water;
• (f) separating water from the nonpolar organic solvent solution to provide a dehydrated product;
• (g) subjecting the dehydrated nonpolar organic solvent solution to chromatographic purification;
• and
• (h) removing solvent from said chromatographically purified solution to produce said oil additives.