Integrated wireless online oil condition monitoring system for I C engine

Abstract

The deterioration rate of Lubricating oil in internal combustion engines is strongly depends on the blow by gases, the fuel quality, the ambient conditions and engine parameters like speed, distance travelled and Engine temperature etc. In order to avoid an engine's thermal fatigue failure, the oil must be changed in regular intervals i.e. before it loses its protective properties like Viscosity, Total acidic number and total base number, soot concentration and water content etc. At the same time, an unnecessary oil change should be avoided for environmental and economical reasons as still active additives left in the oil may react with the environment and may cause harmful effects. Also in our experimental study, we have investigated above said properties of oil after every 1000 km distance travelled and it is proved that engine's lubricating oil losing its protective properties before completion of 3000 km which is reference set by oil manufacturer as oil changed interval. Investigated samples showed, at 1000 km distance TBN dropped to 5.74 mgKOH/g i.e. ≈50% of TBN of fresh oil sample. Viscosity decreases from 14.29 cSt of fresh oil to 10.41 cSt of oil sample at 2000 km (more than 10%) are usually the result of contamination with a less viscous fluid and shearing. Between 1000 km to 3000 km TAN i.e. 2.21 (mgKOH/g) did not exceed four times than that of fresh oil TAN i.e. 1.73 (mgKOH/g) (which is general recommendation for TAN). High levels of water content i.e. 0.1% (greater than 0.05%) in investigated oil samples at 1000 km, 2000 km and 3000 km, ingression merit attention and proved by increased TAN between 1000 km to 3000 km TAN i.e. 1.97 to 2.21 (mgKOH/g) as water in engine oil promoted oxidation. Reduction in the flash point temperature from 228°c of fresh oil to 162°c at 3000 km due to the presence of lighter hydrocarbon of fuel components which is 25% lower than the original value i.e. 228°c, this indicates contamination by fuel and excessive dilution has taken place. It is found that presence of soot is normal or negligible i.e. max 0.2 % but viscosity increases with soot load. Results of investigated oil samples proved that engine oil losing its protective properties between 1000 km to 2000 km and need to change before 3000 km. Accordingly proposed wireless system uses Bluetooth technology which integrates oil condition and its level monitoring for I C Engine (Patent Application No: 3106/MUM/2016).