Accelerated Methods For Determining The Oil Deterioration In An Internal Combustion Engine

The purpose of this investigation is to consider, test and compare methods for extracting lubricating oil for subsequent chemical analysis from an operating internal combustion engine. Following on from the development of the tube base sampling system in the early 198O’s, the project initially concerned itself with the possible improvement of this system. To gain understanding of the problem, a series of test rigs were constructed and included the design and manufacture of an engine simulator. Extended testing and analysis revealed the potential failure modes and using this information a series of engines have been successfully modified with the system. Other methods of extracting oil have been investigated and include both simple and more complex solutions. An innovative method for accelerating the degradation of engine oil has been developed along with a mathematical correction required to obtain true estimates of oil properties using a spreadsheet. Oil samples obtained have been chemically analyzed by a variety of techniques to gain further insight into the oil degradation process. A table has been constructed to show the potential of each of the methods tested. The cost of screening lubricants by engine testing has been estimated and the results presented graphically. Each of the potential methods has been considered along with factors for system reliability and maintenance. This project has revealed a series of findings and include the development of a new lubricant screening technique which also gives the least cost for lubricant testing and can be applied to most engine types.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

De Montfort University

Year dc:date.issued

1994

Author dc:creator

• Seare, Karl David Ralph

Licence

• https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/bitstreams/3a60efa4-1d9b-4e1e-bbb4-674d4283870f/download