The following table represents an oil that is not compatible with ammonia:
through engine or field tests, these are very expensive and limited in the number of tests that can be conducted within a short period. Therefore, bench tests are widely used for evaluating new additives and formulated lubricants. It is important to consider multiple parameters such as insoluble material, viscosity, acidity, additive depletion, and varnish tendency.
The significance of regular top-ups has been demonstrated, showing that they can extend the oxidation lifetime of oils. However, precautions must be taken to prevent the accumulation of insoluble materials. Additionally, assessing the remaining performance of altered oils in terms of deposit formation, wear properties, and material compatibility is crucial for ensuring long-term lubricant effectiveness.
Oxidation of engine oil in the presence of ammonia
Ammonia is emerging as one of the most promising zero carbon fuel options for deep-sea shipping. Currently, there is no official oxidation bench test method to evaluate the interaction between engine lubricants and ammonia.
Based on existing literature, oxidation stability tests on marine engine oil in the presence of ammonia should monitor classic parameters such as kinematic viscosity, Total Acid Number (TAN), Total Base Number (TBN), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), insolubles, and metals (ICP-OES) analysis. Additionally, it may be relevant to include performance tests for corrosion, deposit formation, and tribology evaluations such as anti-wear and extreme-pressure properties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, TOST tests and their variants are versatile tools applicable to various oils, including turbine, hydraulic, and compressor oils. Oxidation testing is crucial for assessing the oxidation and thermal performance of lubricants under severe conditions to try to predict real-world performance. While real-world performance is best evaluated
References [1] Gerald J. Cochrac, Syed Q. A. Rizvi, 2003, Fuels and lubricants handbook – oxidation of lubricants and fuels, chapter 30, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.
[2] ASTM test methods [3] Ameye, J. (2023). TOPP: Turbine Oil Performance Prediction—Accelerated oxidation test designed to measure the failure modes of turbine oils. Fluitec.
[4] Agocs, A., Rappo, M., Obrecht, N., Schneidhofer, C., Frauscher, M., & Besser, C. (2023). The Impact of Ammonia Fuel on Marine Engine Lubrication: An Artificial Lubricant Ageing Approach. Lubricants, 11(4), 165
[5] Toby Stein, “Use of ammonia as shipping fuel edges closer”, Infineum Insight
[6] Bouillon V, “Overview of oxidation laboratory tests on industrial lubricants”, Lube Magazine n°140, 141
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