Solutions to the Engine Failures that Occurred Soon After Galveston Ferry Operations Began Using Texas Low Emissions Diesel Fuel; Technical rept. (Jan. 2005 - Aug. 2007)

摘要

The research team found that the GFO engine failures were the result of three factors: (1) the poor ring pack design of these engines, which results in a high oil consumption rate, (2) the high ash content of the re-refined oil that was used in the ferries, and (3) the decreased flame temperature for TxLED relative to 2D on-road diesel. The research team evaluated nine candidate oils as potential replacements for the re-refined oil that GFO was using as a result of a recommendation from a prior project that was conducted at a different university. These oils were evaluated based upon their effects on the oil consumption rate, engine wear, and in-cylinder calcium deposits. All of the candidate oils performed much better than the re-refined oil in all metrics. The research team recommends that GFO begin using Exxon Elite 20W50 in all of its ferries. A hardware solution was also identified. Although the hardware solution is not essential (as the failure problems are solved via use of a different oil), the hardware solution results in significantly decreased oil consumption, and thus is worthwhile.