ABSTRACT
Performance of IC engines largely depends on their design, operation, maintenance and also on the quality of fuels and lubricants. In this paper the development of superior crankcase lubricants with a view to enhance the performance of rail road diesel engines operated by the Indian Railways has been presented. Starting from the ′70s with LMOA Generation-ll performance level, oil quality has moved up to Generation-IV level oil and subsequently to high TBN Generation-IV oil. In the literature, there are indications of superior performance multigrade oils particularly with respect to fuel economy. Such benefits have also been reported for rail road diesel engines.
A programme to draw specifications and develop multigrade lubricants was taken up jointly with the Indian Railways. Laboratory evaluation of different V.I. improvers in combination with appropriate Dl package was carried out to develop formulations with desired and viscometric characteristics including shear stability, temporary viscosity loss (TVL) and high temperature high shear viscosity (HTHSV). Subsequently, candidate oils were evaluated for fuel economy in Petter AV-1 followed by test bed evaluation on a stationary locomotive engine with load box facility. Field trials are currently under progress for establishing the fuel economy, engine durability, lube oil life and other performance criteria. Fuel economomy data for multigrade oils as observed in laboratory and stationary loco engines have been presented.
