ExxonMobil has developed a bespoke, crosshead slow speed test engine which offers the company an advanced method for lubricant development, which they say will help speed up the timeline for bringing new products to market.
This week they announced that the first firing of the engine had taken place, marking the launching of ExxonMobil into the development of next-generation cylinder and system oils for the marine industry.
This 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.
Demands for lubricants that are suitable for use with progressively complex engine designs, that use a wider variety of fuel types and operate under more varied and demanding conditions means that lubricant manufacturers are under pressure to develop new products, and fast.
Steve Walker, global marine equipment builder manager at ExxonMobil said: “ExxonMobil’s commitment to developing next-generation lubricants will support the marine industry’s pursuit of increased performance, protection and efficiency.”
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