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From low sulphur to no sulphur?
Thanks to the ravages of acid rain, the decimation of Scandinavian
forests once looked like a certainty. Now, thankfully, acid-rain is
on the decrease, as guidelines born of environmental awareness begin
to curb the SO2 emissions that are its root cause. Fuel-borne sulphur
is directly related to SO2 emissions, so reducing it has clear environmental
advantages, and this has spurred on the development of low, and now
ultra-low sulphur diesels (ULSD).
Meeting the multigrade challenge
Buying a can of oil from the service station, we take for granted
that it's of the right grade to offer performance, protection and
even fuel economy. But blending a quality lubricant with all the right
viscometric properties is not as straightforward as it may seem. As
our expectations change and specifications evolve, the blender's job
is becoming increasingly difficult as they try to reconcile high and
low temperature viscosity, shear performance and many other considerations
while meeting both ACEA and SAE J300 specifications.
Solving the particle problem
New engine technologies plus higher quality fuels and lubricants mean
that diesel vehicle performance is increasing in leaps and bounds,
and the once-characteristic smoky emissions are now almost invisible.
But diesel emissions are still raising a number of issues, among them
that their particulate emissions are much higher than in equivalent
gasoline vehicles. And with increasing concerns for air quality, particulate
reduction is moving higher up the priority list. But what can be done
to reduce particulates? Insight takes a look at the available options.
All change with GF-3
Changes are afoot for the American Petroleum Institute's passenger
car engine oil classifications, as the new PS-06/GF-3 performance
tests near their approval. The new tests have been born of the need
for improved emissions performance, better fuel economy and reduced
high temperature piston deposits. And for the first time, every engine
test in the new specification has changed...
Hot or cold, thick or thin? Viscosity modifiers bridge the gap
Today's market forces are driving the development of products whose
performance and specifications must meet criteria probably thought
impossible ten years ago. Increasingly complex, finely tuned formulations
must meet increasingly stringent performance requirements. And today's
additives must not only perform well in the lubricant, but they must
meet, or at least help to augment, environmental needs, and must do
so at reasonable cost. Viscosity modifier or VM additives and their
associated technologies are a case in point.
Paul Bysouth on changing times at Castrol
On March 9 this year, Castrol celebrated their hundredth anniversary.
Now, as the company enters its second century, Lesley Welbourne
finds out how things are changing with Castrol's Supply Chain Director
Paul Bysouth.
The Americas - Charting the changes - AutoTrends99
Ask anyone in the automotive, fuels or lubricants industry how they
keep abreast of developments across the board and the answer is
very likely to be "with difficulty". Such is the pace of change
that the amount of information, the number of changes and level
of progress can be overwhelming. "The changes that are sweeping
the auto industry are not only significant but are occurring with
increasing rapidity" seems then, like a fitting observation and
opening line for this year's Infineum US Autotrends presentation.
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