SECTOR FOCUS: TESTING The role of The Co-ordinating
European Council (CEC) in developing tests for the automotive industry
F. Stunnenberg, CEC President, based on a presentation given at the 9th Annual European Base Oils and Lubricants Conference, 29-30 November 2017 in Antwerp
The energy and transportation industry sectors are facing a number of challenges such as air quality, climate impact and supply security. The potential solutions to these challenges such as fossil fuel substitution or improved fuel efficiency or exhaust gas after-treatment systems will affect fuel and lubricant requirements (and their performance tests) as they impact upon the European Vehicle (ACEA), Petroleum Additive (ATC), Lubricant (ATIEL) and Fuel (CONCAWE) industries.
These four industry organisations are looking to CEC (the Coordinating European Council) for the development of performance tests for transportation fuels, lubricants and other fluids, and for answers to these challenges.
CEC was founded in 1963 as a non-profit, industry- based organisation with scientific objectives. Its mission is the development and maintenance of relevant industry standard performance tests to assess fuel and lubricant quality. To enable efficient execution of its Mission, CEC has a flat operating structure:
maintenance and general support while an external organisation provides secretarial services.
CEC Test Development process
The need for a new test is discussed between industry stakeholders (ATIEL, ATC, ACEA for lubricants and ATC, ACEA, CONCAWE for fuels) leading up to the so-called Terms of Reference (ToR), which is a detailed description of the test and what it is expected to achieve. Once agreed between the stakeholders, the ToR is submitted to CEC MB for endorsement. Once endorsed a ‘lead laboratory’ is selected to develop the test, usually by a tender process, and sponsors are invited to join the Test Development Group (TDG). The actual test development is split over two phases:
• Phase 1: The test is developed by the lead laboratory resulting in a draft CEC Test Procedure. Development is monitored within the TDG and repeatability of test results is analysed by the Statistical Development Group (SDG) representative. When acceptable repeatability is reached together with acceptable discrimination between high and low calibration fluids, the development moves into Phase 2.
• Phase 2: The lead laboratory assists the other sponsors to install the test. Round robin testing between the laboratories is performed to assess the test reproducibility. Once the SDG recommends acceptance, the CEC MB approves a new valid CEC test.
The CEC Management Board (MB) is made up of two representatives from each of the four industry organisations and is headed by the President, typically a two-year position, rotating over the four industry organisations. The CEC MB oversees the various groups involved in (pre-)test development, test
18 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.144 APRIL 2018
Since the 2001 restructuring CEC has developed ten lubricant tests and two fuel tests. While fuel tests are currently under development, the new CEC Lubricant tests will usually go into the next issue of the ACEA Engine Oil Sequences.
Continued on page 20
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
