Development of a Nozzle Fouling Test for Additive Rating in Heavy Duty DI Diesel Engines 2002-01-2721
Testing the performance and general fitness for purpose of diesel fuel and additives in test engines is a key part of the fuel and additive formulation and development process. This testing activity ensures that new fuels and additives satisfy the expected performance characteristics derived in the formulation stage of development; be this maintaining, or improving standard engine operating condition.
Test development at Shell Global Solutions, Cheshire Innovation Park has examined the response of the Mercedes-Benz OM366LA truck engine to injector nozzle fouling. Findings have shown that the performance of fuels and detergent additives can be effectively assessed, hence facilitating differentiation, by visual injector needle cleanliness rating. The injector needle deposits generated in short tests in the bench engine are appraised using the Co-ordinating Research Council method documented in CRC manual No. 18, (2).
This paper documents the test development undertaken to optimise the test cycle and explore the effect of engine set up and other variables in order to attain a robust test methodology. Test results are summarised, statistically analysed and discussed. These results demonstrate the response of the test to combinations of base fuels and additives.
This in turn constitutes an engine test capability for the reliable rating of diesel fuel and detergent additives specifically for the commercial road transport sector.
