Test engine will advance cylinder oil R&D

OCTOBER 13, 2016 — ExxonMobil reports the first firing of a new crosshead slow speed test engine for its research and development of next generation cylinder and system oils for the marine industry.

The custom-built test engine will provide ExxonMobil with a platform for meeting the needs of increasingly complex engine designs driven by changing regulations affecting the industry.

Engines are now operating under more varied and demanding conditions, placing new challenges on the engine lubrication.

The test engine offers an advanced method for lubricant development, which will help speed up the timeline for bringing new products to market. The formulation of next-generation cylinder oils that are aligned to customers’ needs will help them to address tomorrow’s challenges and play a key part in improving engine protection and performance.

“Our test engine is an exciting step forward for the industry,” said Steve Walker, global marine equipment builder manager at ExxonMobil. “ExxonMobil’s commitment to developing next-generation lubricants will support the marine industry’s pursuit of increased performance, protection and efficiency.”

The test engine offers unique capabilities due to its rapidly configurable bore-stroke ratio and its ability to simulate a wide range of new engine design parameters.

ExxonMobil’s research and engineering teams can also apply scientifically derived operating conditions to replicate demanding field environments to which marine lubricants are exposed. A range of different fuels can be used in the test engine when formulating specific high and low base number (BN) cylinder oils.