Ecol’s Oil Analysis Laboratory is implementing the “Fleet Project” to study the degradation of engine oils in company fleet vehicles. The project is expected to help establish wear limits and oil ageing mechanisms to optimise oil replacement schedules. The results will be used to increase the efficiency and safety of vehicle operation, as well as to develop diagnostic services for customers. The data collected will be available to the public, providing valuable information for both fleet users and private drivers looking after their vehicles.
Ecol’s oil analysis laboratory has launched an innovative research project to analyse the degradation process of engine oils in Ecol’s company fleet vehicles.
“Fleet Project” aims not only to identify oil ageing mechanisms, but also to set limits on wear parameters for engines.
The research will allow the optimisation of oil change schedules, which will translate into increased vehicle performance and operational safety.
The project involves not only the collection of detailed technical data, but also the use of the results in the context of a customer motor oil testing service.
Data from the project will be publicly available. The conclusions of the research will not only be used to optimise the operation of the Ecol fleet, but will also benefit end users who are concerned about the proper operation of their vehicles or are looking for precise laboratory diagnostics.
The main objectives of the project include three key goals:
The project involves a comprehensive analysis of Ecol’s fleet of vehicles, both passenger and commercial, petrol and diesel powered. The project will collect detailed data on:
Oil samples will be collected before oil changes or every 5,000 km, and testing will include analysis of wear elements, viscosity parameters and the presence of contaminants such as soot, glycol or water. Diagnostics will also include IR spectrum and PQ index measurements, as well as tests for oxides and sulphides, which are indicative of oil ageing.
Yes, at Ecol Oil Analysis Laboratory you can have your car’s oil tested. We offer a wide range of tests to assess the condition of the oil and its suitability for further use. It is best to discuss the details involved with our specialist. Click and go to contact section.
The next stages of the project include:
Project is carried out by specialists from Ecol’s Oil Diagnostics Department under the leadership of project manager Jakub Kubacki. The team of diagnosticians includes: Wojciech Jewuła, Mateusz Baron and Ryszard Czop, as well as laboratory specialists responsible for measuring oil parameters.
— Oil diagnostics is a well-known field in the wider industry, but often, as users of a passenger car, we do not realise how much information flows from oil analysis. Oils can be tested and diagnosed in the same way that a person’s blood is tested. It is not only a question of ‘oil suitability’, but also of detecting the intensification of many wear and tear processes of cooperating components, and this at a very early stage. This is made possible by elemental analysis through the determination of very small particles, of the order of a few micrometres. If an engine is suspected of being filled with the wrong oil, this can also be determined by comparing the relevant parameters (viscosity, FTIR, elements, alkali number, acid number) of the oil present in the engine with the oil that should be there. There are, of course, many more examples, but they all lead to the conclusion that it is worthwhile to test the oil.
Wojciech Jewuła, Diagnostics Specialist at Ecol, responsible for the “Fleet Project”.
The research conducted will provide valuable data to determine a safe oil change interval. Analyses, such as the correlation between viscosity and flash point for diesel and petrol engines, will allow the determination of optimum parameters for different vehicle types.
The conclusions of the research will not only serve to optimise the operation of the Ecol fleet internally, but also for end users who are concerned about the proper operation of their vehicles or are looking for an effective laboratory diagnosis related to their vehicle.
The test determines the viscosity class of the oil according to SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards and makes it possible to check whether the oil maintains the required viscosity class or whether it has decreased. A drop in viscosity class can indicate the presence of fuel in the oil.
Combining the results of oil viscosity tests at 40°C and 100°C allows the viscosity index to be calculated.
Viscosity is usually determined at 40 and 100 °C, from which the viscosity index can be determined – a parameter describing the temperature dependence of oil viscosity.
Elements are divided into additives, impurities and wear elements. Additives may decrease as the oil is used. An increase in silicon levels in the context of contaminants can signal the presence of dirt or dust, suggesting that something is getting in from outside. The presence of potassium and sodium often indicates coolant getting into the oil. Wear elements, such as iron, chromium, tin or aluminium, can indicate wear and tear on engine components, whichever is present. Elemental testing can detect these problems at an early stage.
The wear parameter expressing the number of ferromagnetic particles, in combination with the study of non-ferromagnetic elements (e.g. copper and lead), allows additional interpretation of the analysis results.
The acid number directly indicates the content of acid products in the oil and is a parameter that determines the degree of ageing of the oil. An increase in the acid number indicates a higher amount of acid products, which indicates the progressive degradation of the oil. Acid products are formed by exposure to heat or oxygen from the air, forming carboxylic acids, aldehydes and ketones, among others.
The alkali number indicates the content of cleaning additives in the oil, such as detergents and dispersants. Its decrease indicates oil degradation. There is a correlation between the acid number, which increases as the oil is used, and the base number, which decreases. It is important that these ratios do not exceed each other – if the acid number exceeds the base number, this is a worrying signal that clearly indicates the need for an oil change.
The parameter I-pH correlates with the acid number and base number. A low acid number and low I-pH indicate a high amount of weak acids, while a high acid number and low I-pH indicate the presence of more strong acids.
This is an indication of the chemical purity of the oil. Each oil has its own characteristic spectrum. Here, we can determine ageing parameters, oxidation or glycol content (the presence of coolant in the oil).
The Karl Fischer method is the most accurate method for measuring water content, with up to 1,500 mg/kg being accepted as the norm, which corresponds to approximately 0.15% water in the oil.
The ignition temperature is the point at which the oil ignites when the ignition initiator is applied. Fresh oils typically exhibit an ignition temperature above 200°C, as the oil is used, this ignition temperature may decrease. A reduction in the oil’s flash point may indicate the presence of fuel in the oil.
“Fleet Project” is a cutting-edge approach to the analysis of vehicle operation, combining advanced oil diagnostics with the optimisation of maintenance processes. The results of this research aim to improve the efficiency of fleet operations, as well as providing valuable information on the impact of operating conditions on engine oil degradation. With a dedicated team of experts, Ecol is committed to developing innovative solutions that will contribute to long-term improvements in vehicle performance and reliability.
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