Diesel Engines Using Low Sulfur Fuel Showing Excellent Performance and Durability with Reduced TBN Lubricants

More stringent emission legislation has been a driver for changes in the design of Heavy Duty Diesel engines since the 1980s. Significant gains have been made over the years but, in 2007 and again in 2010, diesel engines in North America will have to meet even more stringent requirements for particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions. A reduction of the sulfur level in diesel fuel to a maximum of 15 mg/kg has been mandated as an enabler for new diesel engine exhaust gas after-treatment systems.

Many studies have been published on the impact of the use of low sulfur diesel fuel. The focus of most of these studies has been on the possible impact on exhaust gas after-treatment system durability, but little has been documented on lubricant degradation and on the long term impact on engine durability. The objectives of the field test discussed in this paper were to evaluate the impact of low sulfur fuel and of a reduction in the TBN of the lubricant on lubricant degradation.