Other Future work
Our working group is also investigating/exploring to assist the industry with other lubricant related issues and a final decision will be made near future. The working group is considering three other subjects for in-depth study/review.
Sludge and insoluble build up in the oil is becoming more critical with the growing trend of low oil consumption and smaller sump oil-charge. It is of utmost importance to have the oil in good working condition to protect the engine and enable trouble free operation of the engine and its anciliary system. Our working group therefore is considering an in-depth study/document on "Oil Treatment".
Another subject also likely to be studied by the lubricant working group is "The lubrication of engines burning exotic fuels". Various market factors (eg HFO cost and future availability of HFO, low sulphur HFO etc ..;) have incentivised some operators to consider other options to heavy fuel. Such altrnative fuel may be crude oil, VOC, methanol, bio fuel, coal derived fuel, Orimulsion.... Combustion of such "exotic fuels" may induce different stress on the oil and lead to new lubrication requirements. This subject has attracted some interest/curiosity of the Lubricant working group.
And finally the WG lubricant decided that it was time to review CIMAC Recommendation n° 13 ai.e. "Guidelines on the Lubrication of Medium Speed Diesel Engine". This document was published in 1995. As medium speed engines design, their lubrication requirements and lubricant formulations have evolved and changed, it is considered right time and appropriate to review this document for incorporating the evolution and the latest development.
CONCLUSION
CIMAC Working Group "Lubricants" is now 13 years in existence.
This group is comprised of a wide variety of personalities/experts from the various key parts of the industry worldwide.
As members of this WG, they have the objective to apply their experience for the benefit of the Users. Their effort has proven very positive, by both a) the spirit existing in this group and b) the very informative documents produced by this group for issuing/printing by CIMAC
References
[1] "Guidelines for the Lubrication of Medium Speed Diesel Engines" CIMAC Publication n° 13, 1994.
[2] "Guidelines for the Lubrication of Two Stroke Crosshead Diesel Engines" CIMAC Publication n°15, 1997.
[3] CEC 97-EL08 "Effects and Determination of Raw Fuel Dilution in Marine Crankcase Lubricants".
