Balancing operator demands with the lubrication requirements of modern low emission heavy-duty (HD) diesel engines is not an easy job for lubricant formulators. While operators continue to demand better engine cleanliness, extended oil drain intervals, improved fuel economy and improved durability, hardware changes driven by tightening emission legislation are placing greater stress on the oil, potentially shortening drain intervals and increasing engine wear. Insight explores how advanced lubricant and additive technology can overcome these conflicts, providing ultra-high performance HD diesel lubricants that meet the needs of both operators and truck manufacturers alike.

Heavy-duty diesel lubricants: Just in time - PC-9 looks set to meet the 2002 deadline

In April 2001, Insight reported on the race against time facing diesel engine manufacturers, lubricant marketers and additive companies in their bid to deliver licensed PC-9/API CI-4 products by October 2002. PC-9 quality oils are needed to protect the new generation of heavy-duty diesel engines, designed to meet forthcoming US Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Thankfully, it looks like licensed products will be available on time, subject to the successful resolution of the ASTM subcommittee B ballot at their meeting in December 2001. Getting to this stage has involved a lot of hard work and the concerted effort of all players. Pat Fetterman and Steve Haffner of Infineum USA L.P. fill in the details.

Industry issues: Take away diesel sulphur and what have you got? - The need to reassess refinery operations and additive treatment

Reducing fuel sulphur levels is important not only for the direct positive impact on air quality, but also because it enables the use of advanced vehicle exhaust after-treatment systems. Sulphur levels in diesel fuel specifications have fallen dramatically in the last twenty years and are expected to keep on falling worldwide. This move is causing many refineries to rethink their operations, to ensure the best, most cost-effective route to producing low sulphur fuel. The solution will be refinery-specific - depending on the equipment already in place, the amount of money they are prepared to invest and the availability of the hydrogen needed for desulphurisation processes - and in many cases the actions taken will impact on fuel characteristics. Insight takes a look at how tailored lubricity and cold flow additives can be part of the solution, providing an economic route for refiners looking to maximise profits while producing fuels of the required quality, in the right quantities.

Industry issues: Moving up a group - ATF performance demands are driving changes in base stock

Increasing demands for improved automatic transmission fluid (ATF) performance - longer drain intervals, better fuel economy and expanded operating temperatures - are driving changes in additive and base stock technology. Upgraded lubrication specifications issued in recent years by the major North American transmission builders have caused formulators to focus on base fluid performance. While the chemical additives package can influence performance parameters such as friction control, wear protection, cleanliness, foam suppression and shear stability, two key performance attributes - low temperature fluidity and oxidation resistance - are largely controlled by base stock composition. Insight outlines why API Group I base stocks are rapidly becoming incapable of producing suitable fluids, forcing formulators to consider using API Group II, Group III and/or synthetic base fluids to produce the new generation of ATFs.

Face to face: Dr Arthur Wetzel on transmission fluids

In the quest for better fuel economy and improved driveability, OEMs are increasingly looking at transmission systems to give them the edge. While much work has been done to enhance engines and reduce vehicle weight, the potential for savings through transmission improvements has only recently been exploited. The advent of more complex and innovative transmission systems has inevitably increased demands on transmissions fluids, with lubricant technology having to keep pace with hardware advances. So what is being done to ensure that today's fluids fully meet the requirements of both transmission makers and end-users? Volker Kropp of Infineum Industry Liaison seeks the views of Dr Arthur Wetzel of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, one of the major innovators in transmissions technology.

Industrial issues: Balanced coolant formulation - realising the full potential of water-extendible coolants

The continued use of water-extendible technology in metalworking applications demonstrates that the machining performance, durability and economics offered are broadly acceptable to users. Today, machine availability and coolant cost-effectiveness are more important than ever. Coolants must provide consistent, high quality machining performance and an extended product life, as well as proving safe for operators and offering reasonably easy disposal. Achieving all these qualities involves careful consideration of many factors, which can be grouped into three main areas: formulation, product selection and effective coolant management. Insight examines each of these areas in turn. Within formulating, the majority of metalworking coolants use sodium sulphonates as the primary emulsifier backbone, and findings from some industry tests to demonstrate the properties of commercially-available natural and synthetic sodium sulphonates are outlined.

Global viewpoint: Asia Pacific - Addressing regional requirements for improved engine oil quality

In recent years, technological advances, emissions legislation and customer demands have resulted in significant changes to passenger cars. This has obviously had an impact on lubrication requirements, with higher performing oils now needed to deliver satisfactory performance and equipment life. In addition, despite an increasingly global market for passenger cars, local differences remain, which require tailored lubrication. In recognition of these differences, ILSAC has recently redefined the API SG grade - identified by Japanese OEMs as the minimum acceptable quality oil - as ILSAC SG+, a move calculated to expedite the introduction of higher quality oils to the Asian market. Insight outlines the new specification and the steps being taken to ensure its speedy introduction.