Ashless Dispersant Wear Reduction in Lubricating Compositions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Zinc dithiophosphate additives in lubricating compositions can increase wear in the presence of soot due to a corrosion/abrasion wear mechanism, which is not effectively mitigated by existing anti-wear additives.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a nitrogen-containing ashless dispersant with a functionality of 1.5 to 1.9 into the lubricating composition to reduce wear, specifically designed to counteract the adverse effects of zinc dithiophosphate and soot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If zinc dithiophosphate additives are used in lubricating compositions, then anti-wear properties are improved, but wear increases in the presence of soot due to corrosion/abrasion mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-wear propertiesVSAvoidwear in presence of soot

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A nitrogen-containing ashless dispersant is introduced as an intermediary substance between zinc dithiophosphate and soot particles. The dispersant has a specific functionality (F) of 1.5 to 1.9, which optimizes its ability to interact with both the anti-wear additive and soot, preventing the harmful corrosion/abrasion mechanism while preserving the beneficial anti-wear effects of zinc dithiophosphate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the lubricating composition by incorporating a nitrogen-containing ashless dispersant with specifically controlled functionality (F = 1.5 to 1.9). This parameter change modifies the interaction dynamics between zinc dithiophosphate and soot, transforming the wear mechanism from corrosive-abrasive to a protected state where wear is reduced by at least 5% and up to 90%.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If low viscosity formulations are used to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but anti-wear protection becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidanti-wear protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite additive system combining zinc dithiophosphate (for anti-wear properties) with nitrogen-containing ashless dispersant (for soot management and wear reduction). This composite approach allows the formulation to maintain low viscosity for fuel efficiency while the synergistic interaction between additives provides enhanced anti-wear protection that compensates for the reduced viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3615641B1Use of a dispersant in a lubricating composition

Publication Date: 2022.04.13 SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ BV

AI summary

Use of a nitrogen-containing ashless dispersant in a lubricating composition for the purpose of reducing wear in the presence of ZDTP and soot wherein the nitrogen-containing ashless dispersant has a Functionality (F) of greater than 1.4.