Measurement and Evaluation of the Performance Properties of Selected Locally Produced Lubricants (Engine Oil)
Chapter One
AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH
The aim of this work is to measure and evaluate the performance properties, provide a fast and efficient method of evaluating the performance properties and to provide Engineers and the user society with useful and essential information about the lubricants in our local market.
The specific objectives are:
- To investigate the performance properties of the lubricants in our local market through laboratory tests considering Viscosity, Viscosity Index, Flash Point, Pour Point and Carbon
- To compare the results obtained from the laboratory experiments and recommend the preferred oils based on the service
- To develop a Pressure Mapping Equipment and use it to determine the protecting ability of the oils under consideration in an internal combustion engine by Oil Pressure Mapping
- To compare the outcome of the Pressure Mapping Experiment with the Laboratory Experiment and recommend a better method for evaluation of lubricants‟
- To provide useful and essential information to Engineers, Technicians and the user society by discussing the results obtained from both the Laboratory Experiment and the Pressure Mapping
- To suggest, amongst the oils under consideration, which is most preferred and for which application, putting into consideration the cost implication.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Review of Past Work
Engine oils being the most effective lubricant in automobiles have attracted researcher‟s interest. Extensive research has been carried out on lubricants and their performance properties by international research institutes and students in the field of engineering
In August 2012, Shi Yanping and Zang Yong in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Huaihai Institute of Technology, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005 China, published an article titled “A Novel Lubrication Oil Pressure Measuring Method Based on Magneto-elastic Effect for Auto Engines”. A measuring method that uses Fe-based amorphous alloy was studied to achieve accurate measurement of the lubrication oil pressure of auto engines.
In November 2008, Gray Belvins and Dan Burger published an article titled “Mapping Oil Pressure to Measure Bearing Wear”. One of the buzzwords used in regard to condition monitoring is “Oil Pressure Mapping”. This article explains oil pressure mapping, why this diagnostic technique was developed and how it is used to measure engine bearing wear.
Dauda and Obi (2000) determined some properties of engine oils. It was recommended that other methods should be used to determine the performance properties of lubricating oils.
Obi (2010) presented an article titled “Conformity to standards of Engine oils manufactured in Nigeria” at the Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers Conference organized by Port Harcourt.
Shafiqur (1997) investigated the hydrodynamic lubricating properties of some common oils. This investigation was necessary as oils can best be selected for a given application when its properties are known to be suitable for that application.
Nunaya (2009) did measurements of physical and chemical properties of some selected Nigerian lubricants and Mathias (2009) determined the service specifications of Nigeria produced engine oils using their hydrodynamic, thermal and chemical properties. It was then recommended that there is need for regular investigation of these properties for the purpose of monitoring the oils in our local markets.
Osebi (2002) investigated the hydrodynamic lubricating properties of some Nigerian made oils. He then concluded that multi-grade oils performed better and recommended that similar work be carried out to verify the chemical properties of these oils.
Aremu (2000) did the Evaluation of some Nigerian Engine Lubricating Oils, he concluded that the result he obtained could help users to make good choices and that the inability to challenge the oils in a way similar to the normal working condition of lubricants is a major limitation.
Otu (2000) did the Evaluation and Performance Characteristics of some Nigerian made Engine Oil. He then recommended that similar work be done in our local market.
Functions/Applications of lubricants
One of the largest applications of lubricants is protecting the internal combustion engine in motor vehicles and powered equipment. To do this lubricants perform the following key functions.
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Lubricants keep moving parts apart.
The major function of lubricants is to separate two surfaces moving relative to each other in a system thereby reducing friction, surface fatigue, heat generation, noise of operation and vibrations. This function is made possible by the formation of physical barrier i.e a thin layer of lubricant in between the two surfaces. This phenomenon is known as hydrodynamic lubrication. In a situation where the pressure and temperature on the surfaces are high, the oil layer gets thinner and part of the forces are transmitted between the surfaces through the thin films of lubricant. This is referred to as elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication (Bowden, and Tabor, 1953).
Lubricants reduce friction.
Ordinarily, a system without lubrication posses much higher friction as compared to one with lubrication. Thus the fact that the use of lubricant in a system reduces the overall friction of the system should be agreed with. The reduced friction is to an advantage as the heat generated between the surfaces is reduced as well as wear particles and as such there is an improvement in the efficiency of the entire system. Friction modifiers which may be contained in lubricants as additives, chemically bind to metal surfaces reducing the frictions on the surface even when the lubricant present in the system is not enough for hydrodynamic lubrication, for example, in protecting a car engine at start up.
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The samples of lubricants considered in this research work are those on the table 1 below.
The various experiments undergone here were carried out on all the samples to the same extent. The materials, equipment and the experimental procedure are stated in each experiment in this chapter.
Procedure
600 ml of the sample was gently poured into the 800 ml beaker and two thermometers immersed. The average of the temperature read on the two thermometers was taken to be the sample‟s room temperature
The beaker was now positioned appropriately on the viscometer and the spindle lowered until the oil level was just at mark on the spindle.
The viscometer was now set to a speed of 60 rpm and switched on. The viscometer was left at this speed to run until it oscillated. It was then stopped and the reading on the dial gauge taken. The product of the dial reading and the factor (40 in this experiment) gave the corresponding value of the viscosity at that temperature .
The sample was now placed on the magnetic hot plate with the stirrer immersed. As the sample was been heated and stirred continuously, the temperature read on the thermometers was still averaged and recorded at 40 °C and the sample here quickly and carefully placed under the viscometer for the viscosity to be measured as above at this temperature.
This was repeated at 10 °C interval from 40 °C to 100 °C.
This procedure was undertaken for the entire five samples and the results recorded.
Density Determination
Equipment/ Materials
- Digital balance
- Magnetic stirring electric heater
- Mechanical stirrer
- Thermometer
- 800ml beaker
- 7liter of each oil sample
- 50ml density bottle
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Results
Table 4.1 Viscosity Determination Result for Oando SAE 20w50
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion
The experiments undergone in this work have brought about the following conclusions:
- Pressure mapping Technology has a positive impact on the evaluation of the performance properties of lubricating
- As stated in the objective of this research that a main method for evaluating lubricants performance properties will be provided, this pressure mapping using this equipment is a fast method for evaluating the performance properties of lubricants in our local
- The results obtained from the pressure mapping experiment confirmed those obtained from the laboratory, concluding that this method is good to be used for the
- That Pressure Mapping Experiment can be used to monitor the lubricants in our local markets.
- The oils investigated here are all good for use in internal combustion engine with the best performing oil as the synthetic oil and followed by the multigrade and then the monograde.
Recommendations
- The synthetic lubricating oils are recommended for use in internal combustion enginesbecause of their outstanding performance properties as compared to the other lubricants. This is followed by the multi-grade oils (TOTAL SAE 20 W 50, Oando 20 W 50, AZ 20 W 50).
- The pressure mapping equipment developed in this work is recommended for use in theevaluation of the performance properties of lubricating oils in our local market.
- Pressure sensor should be integrated into the system and a transducer used for digitaloutput display to avoid error due to parallax in taking
- For quality assurance and monitoring, evaluation of the performance properties of lubricating oils should be regularly carried out.
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