Results of the study of wear products and contamination percentage of engine oils of diesel and gas engines

BACKGROUND: Solving the problem of ensuring the reliability of internal combustion engines during operation requires an integrated approach, solved in different directions. Solving these problems is a relevant complex task. The main issues are operating conditions, the type of fuel used, monitoring the indicators of engine oils, as well as the development of reasonable service life for the latter. When supporting the operational properties of engine oils, monitoring the basic characteristics of the operating oil is relevant.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the accumulation of contamination and wear products in the M10G2 oil of diesel engines and diesel-based gas engines. Use of theoretical equations for assessment of change in percentage of contamination products and conducting laboratory analyses aimed to assessment of content of contamination and wear products as well as particle size in the oil.

METHODS: One of the main ways to reduce increased wear and carbon formation in engines is blending additives to the engine oil that can neutralize the corrosive and carbon-forming effects of sulfur fuel combustion products, having high antioxidant and detergent properties. Products of organic and inorganic origin and mechanical impurities of wear products accumulate in motor oil as a result of long-term operation. After the first 100 hours of oil operation, it contains certain amounts of contamination and wear products, as well as insoluble products of oxidation and wear of engine parts. During the study, the laws of lubrication theory, methods of design of experiment and mathematical statistics, as well as methods based on existing regulatory documents were used. Processing methods in the Microsoft Office Excel application packages were used for processing of experimental data.

RESULTS: The process of oil aging in internal combustion engines and the factors influencing the aging of engine oil are considered. Using the analytical equations, changes in the concentration of wear products and contamination of the oil of a diesel-based gas engine are calculated, and graphical dependences of oil indicators on operating time are given.

CONCLUSIONS: The practical value of the study lies in the fact that, using theoretical equations, it is possible to assess the accumulation of contamination products in the oil; based on the results of laboratory tests, it is possible to assess the percentage of wear products and contamination in the oil. Operation of diesel and diesel-based gas engines with oil having high percentage of contaminants and wear products leads to reduced engine reliability, reduced lubricating oil lifespan, accelerated wear of individual parts, varnish formation and sedimentation on separate engine parts.