Ammonia Engine Lubricating Oil Composition for Deposit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ammonia-fueled internal combustion engines face cleanliness challenges due to the formation of deposits from ammonia combustion by-products, leading to oxidative and nitrogen-rich environments that degrade lubricating oils, necessitating improved lubricating oil compositions with reduced propensity for deposit formation and enhanced cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A lubricating oil composition comprising Group I-IV base oils, borated polyisobutylene succinimide dispersants, overbased detergents, and zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate compounds, formulated to maintain low sulfated ash and phosphorous levels, ensuring improved cleanliness under ammonia exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional lubricating oil compositions are used in ammonia fueled engines, then the engine can operate with ammonia fuel, but deposit formation increases and cleanliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the lubricating oil by incorporating specific additives (borated dispersants, overbased detergents, zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate compounds) at defined concentrations to change the oil's chemical properties, enabling it to resist deposit formation while maintaining ammonia fuel compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite lubricating oil formulation by combining base oils (Group I-IV) with multiple functional additives in specific ratios, where each component contributes specific properties to collectively prevent deposit formation and maintain cleanliness in ammonia fueled engines
2Adaptability or versatility
If lubricating oil is exposed to ammonia contamination, then the engine can burn ammonia fuel, but viscosity increases excessively and lubricity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces borated polyisobutylene succinimide dispersants as intermediary substances that mediate between the ammonia contamination and the base oil, preventing direct harmful interactions while maintaining oil stability and preventing excessive viscosity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the chemical parameters of the lubricating oil formulation, specifically incorporating zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate compounds and overbased detergents that modify the oil's response to ammonia contamination, preventing excessive viscosity increase and maintaining lubricity
3Object-generated harmful factors
If higher levels of additives are used to prevent deposits, then cleanliness improves, but the complexity of the lubricating oil composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional additives (borated dispersants, overbased detergents, zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate compounds) into a single integrated lubricating oil formulation, where the additives work synergistically to prevent deposit formation without requiring separate treatment systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of each additive within specific ranges (e.g., zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate at 0.01-2.0 wt%, overbased detergents with TBN of 9-500 mg KOH/g) to achieve effective deposit prevention while maintaining manageable formulation complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves a cleanliness merit rating change of less than or equal to 4.0 merits and a viscosity increase of less than 50% under ammonia contamination, effectively mitigating deposit formation and maintaining engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
one or more, optionally borated, higher molecular weight polyisobutylene succinimide (PIBSA-PAM) dispersant (Mn 1600 g/mol or more); one or more, optionally borated, lower molecular weight polyisobutylene succinimide (PIBSA-PAM) dispersant (Mn less than 1600 g/mol)
Implementation Method 2
one or more overbased detergents selected from the group consisting of a metal salicylate, a metal carboxylate, a mixture of a metal salicylate and a metal sulfonate, a mixture of a metal carboxylate and a metal sulfonate, or combinations thereof
Implementation Method 3
one or more zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) compounds at from about 0.08 wt. % to about 2.0 wt. % of the lubricating oil composition
Implementation Method 4
Ammonia easily absorbs water, and thus easily causes emulsification of engine oil in the engine, and therefore reduces the lubricity of the engine oil
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a lubricating oil composition for ammonia fueled internal combustion engines (AICE) including: a) an oil of lubricating viscosity at greater than 50 wt. % of the composition comprising a Group I base oil, a Group II base oil, a Group III base oil, a Group IV base oil, or combinations thereof; b) optionally, one or more, optionally borated, higher molecular weight polyisobutylene succinimide (PIBSA-PAM) dispersant (Mn 1600 g/mol or more); c) one or more, optionally borated, lower molecular weight polyisobutylene succinimide (PIBSA-PAM) dispersant (Mn less than 1600 g/mol), wherein the treat level of the combination of the higher molecular weight PIBSA-PAM and lower molecular weight PIBSA-PAM is from 2.5 to 12.0 wt. % of the composition, wherein the treat level of the lower molecular weight PIBSA-PAM is from 0.1 to 9.0 wt. % of the composition, and wherein the treat level of the higher molecular weight PIBSA-PAM is less than or equal to 3.0 wt. %; and d) one or more overbased detergents selected from the group consisting of a metal salicylate, a metal carboxylate, a mixture of a metal salicylate and a metal sulfonate, a mixture of a metal carboxylate and a metal sulfonate, and combinations thereof, wherein the one or more overbased detergents have a Total Base Number (mgKOH/g) greater than or equal to 9 and less than or equal to 500 and deliver at least 5 mmol of total soap to the composition; and e) one or more zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) compounds at from about 0.08 wt. % to about 2.0 wt. % of the lubricating oil composition. The lubricating oil composition has a total sulfated ash of less than or equal to 5.0 wt. %, and a total phosphorous level of less than or equal to 0.120 wt. %, and a viscosity of less than or equal to 25 cSt (KV100). The lubricating oil composition upon exposure to ammonia contamination per the NOx-Ammonia exposure protocol results in a decrease in MCT performance rating of less than or equal to 4.0 merits. Also provided is a concentrate for use in a lubricating oil for an AICE and a method of improving engine cleanliness in an AICE.