ACEA 2004
In November The Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles (ACEA) released its new 2004 European Oil Sequences for service-fill oils for gasoline, light-duty diesel and heavy-duty diesel engines. Dr Ian Field, Industry Liaison Infineum UK Ltd. and an ATC representative on the AAA specifications development groups for both passenger cars and heavy-duty vehicles explains the key changes in the specifications and their implications to the European lubricants industry.

Jed Mandel on the Engine Manufacturers Association
The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) has been the voice of the engine manufacturing industry since 1968. Organised into three general areas EMA has working groups dedicated to Emissions, Public Policy and Fluids with the primary task of the Fluids group being to improve the quality of the fuels and lubricants on which engines rely. Jed Mandel, EMA’s current President, gives an overview of the Association, outlines the role of its Fluids Group and shares his views on PC-10 funding with Pat Fetterman, Industry Liaison Advisor, Infineum US LP.

Gas to liquids
Will gas play an important role in future transport energy supply?
Over the last decade or so there has been substantial and sustained growth in proven natural gas reserves and it is thought that the current combined global gas reserves are close to those of oil. With escalating oil prices and a desire for improved supply security many oil producers are looking to gas-to-liquids (GTL) as a viable future transportation energy source. Insight gives an overview of GTL, examines recent investments and assesses its impact on the base stock and fuels markets.

Taking stock
Global overview of base stock trends
Group I base stocks have been the mainstay of the lubricant industry over the last 50 years. But, looking to the future, demands for extended performance and emissions reductions are putting pressure on these traditional oils. For PCMOs emissions reduction demands are driving the introduction of tighter fuel economy limits and hence the need for oils with lower viscosity and volatility. For both HDD and PCMO these emissions reductions are also creating a need for the deployment of exhaust aftertreatment systems for which lubricant chemical limits are being introduced to protect the hardware for the lifetime of the vehicle in the case of PCMO, or the specific service interval for HDD. These changes are driving the shift from Group I to higher quality base stocks. Insight spoke to several base stock suppliers to gain their views on the key issues in this rapidly changing marketplace.

Inside detergents
Improved understanding leads to a new generation of complex detergents
The characterisation of detergent additives is an essential part of understanding the role that they play in determining the performance features of lubricants in medium speed engines. Insight reports on a paper by Adrian Dunn, Development and Deployment Technologist, and Peter Dowding, Colloid Scientist, of Infineum UK Ltd, presented at CIMAC 2004 which highlights a study that has helped in the development of a new generation of complex marine detergents.

Diesels demand new generation of additives
Advanced injector systems and diesel particulate filters challenge diesel fuel composition
Continued legislative pressure to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles has led to, amongst other things, the introduction of advanced fuel injection equipment and diesel particulate filters (DPFs). These innovative hardware systems are driving the requirements for higher quality diesel fuels and advanced additive systems to ensure their performance is maintained. Stubborn deposits that build up around the injector tip require enhanced detergency performance; and soot that blocks the DPF can be removed using advanced additive technology.