Demonstrating Improved Fuel Economy Using Subsystem Specific Lubricants on a Modified Diesel Engine

Fuel economy performance in modern internal combustion engines is of increasing importance to lubricant formulators due to regulations targeting global greenhouse gas emissions. Engines typically employ a single lubricant, with a common sump, to service all components. As a result, base oil and additive selection for fuel economy performance is a compromise among competing demands for different engine subsystems. Opportunities for significant fuel economy improvement through targeted formulation of lubricants for specific engine subsystems are presented, with specific emphasis on segregating the lubricant supplies for the valve train and the power cylinder subsystems. A working prototype was developed in a lab environment by modifying a commercially available twin-cylinder diesel engine. Motored valve train and whole-engine fired test results were obtained and compared to model data. Fuel economy benefits were demonstrated using market representative heavy-duty diesel lubricants, including mineral oil and polyalphaolefin (PAO) blends. The fuel economy benefits of a dual-loop lubricant system are demonstrated through significant viscosity reduction in the power cylinder subsystem, achieving overall engine friction reductions of up to 8% for the investigated operating condition. Results suggest that additional gains may be realized through targeted base oil and additive formulation. Implications for incorporation in larger diesel engines are also considered.