Compressed natural gas (CNG) has been used as a fuel for internal combustion engines for decades. CNG engines, in most cases, have been used in stationary applications for power generation, and pipeline gas transportation. More recently, CNG has found its way into mobile applications. Locally operating fleets, such as city bus fleets, have shown a lot of interest in CNG. Bus fleets operate most of the time in urban areas, where lower emission levels are mandated, and the operation allows the busses to return to a central refueling station on a daily basis.
CNG engines are different from diesel engines in terms of lubricant requirements. Higher operating temperatures may require better oxidation and nitration control, and high ash levels can be a detriment. With the increased use of CNG as a fuel for commercial vehicle engines, it becomes more and more important to have a procedure to evaluate lubricants for this application. A laboratory engine test for the evaluation of natural gas engine oils (NGEOs) is currently not available.
This paper describes the development of a CNG engine test for the evaluation of natural gas engine oils in mobile applications. The test uses a Cummins 8.3 liter C-series engine with a sliding follower valve train design. The developed engine test is capable of discriminating oils with different valve train wear performance levels.