Synergism for thermal stability and oxidation inhibition, performance attributes in engine oils

Abstract

The need to reduce hazardous environmental impact has initiated the development of techniques and technologies in all industries around the globe. Transport sector is considered to be one of the frequently changing, first and foremost because of the efforts towards reducing hazardous emissions. Presently there are around 700 million vehicles running throughout the world which may touch 2 billion by 2050. Global emission of Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is increasing, which is driving all governing bodies around the world to tighten CO2 emissions limits and therefore, fuel economy goals. Global CO2 reduction becomes increasingly important. Bharat stage 6 standard (in 2020) will be considered to be a major change for vehicle manufacturers, as it needs 90-95 % reduced limits for regulated pollutants which are far below the limits that prevailed in 1990’s. These proposed goals and limits are very hard to achieve for automobile industry and will drive the modifications in various technologies around the globe concerning three of its major areas viz., Engine, Fuel & Lubricant. Development in different areas of engine design (modifying vehicle dynamics, engine weight reduction, downsizing, modification of power-train systems) have turned out to be decisive factors in meeting the ultra low emission requirements of present and future. Newer engines have become more compact and short in size. Vehicle and engine technologies to cope up with higher performance, lower emissions are getting more complex and sophisticated and is making engine more sensitive towards the fuel and lubricants qualities and properties. The quality of fuels is regularly changing with changes in environmental regulations for emissions. Higher octane gasoline and higher cetane diesel permits the use of engine with higher compression ratios resulting in better fuel economy, cold start ability, lesser noise and lower emissions. Fuel Quality improvements for decreasing CO2 emissions have made many fuel producers to bring increased usage of renewable fuels around the world.