Abstract

Annotation – The influence of the structural characteristics of engine lube oil on the dynamics of a marine diesel engine is considered. It is indicated that micron layers of marine engine lube oils separating the contact surfaces of marine diesel engines acquire the properties of liquid crystals and are characterized by an ordered molecular structure. The qualitative indicator of this structure is the degree of ordering of the molecules, and the quantitative indicator is the thickness of the ordered (boundary) lubricating layer. It is proposed to determine the structural characteristics of marine engine lube oils (the degree of ordering of the molecules of the boundary layer and its thickness) using the optical method of absorption dichroism. A diagram of an experimental setup is presented that allows such studies to be carried out. It has been experimentally established that for Shell Rimula X15 and Castrol TPL 123 engine lube oils (used in the oil system of the Caterpillar CatC18 marine diesel engine), the thickness of the ordered (boundary) lubricating layer is 14.3 ... 14.7 microns and 16.4 ... 16.6 microns, respectively. The degree of ordering of molecules in the boundary layer for Shell Rimula X15 engine lube oil is in the range of 0.56 ... 0.58, for Castrol TPL 123 engine lube oil – in the range of 0.63 ... 0.64. The results of studies of the dynamics of the CatC18 marine diesel engine by Caterpillar, carried out in the starting mode, as well as at various increases and decreases in load, are presented. As indicators, which were used to assess the dynamics of the diesel engine, the overshoot of the rotational speed and the time to reach a new steady state mode were taken. Experiments have confirmed that Castrol TPL 123 engine lube oil, which has a higher molecular structure in the boundary layer compared to Shell Rimula X15 lube oil, ensures the transient processes of the Caterpillar CatC18 marine diesel engine with less overspeed and less time to reach a new state work. The proposed technology for determining the structural characteristics of engine lube oils can be used for any type and grade of oil (mineral or synthetic, high and low viscosity, used both in circulating and cylinder lubrication systems). The proposed method for assessing the dynamic characteristics of marine diesel engines (by overshoot of the speed and the time to reach a steady state of operation in the event of a change in load) can be used for any types of internal combustion engines (low-, medium- and high-speed; as well as performing the functions of both main and auxiliary engines).

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