Abstract
The increasing deployment of biodigesters for the treatment of waste on farms and the use of the biogas generated in the production of energy have highlighted the need for knowing the influence of this fuel on internal combustion engines. This study aimed to analyze the influence of filtrated biogas on lubricant oil contamination and degradation, as well as on engine wear and corrosion. Lubricant oil samples were collected every 75 engine operating hours (EOH) and then correlated between each other and with a sample of new oil, determining the elements present in the biogas that contribute to lubricant oil contamination and degradation, as well as lubricant oil performance in the course of EOH and engine wear. The results demonstrate that hydrogen sulfide affects the performance of the lubricant oil and engine wear. Among the metals, we observed that the copper concentration exceeded the maximum limit recommended in the literature. As for the additives, the variation in concentrations of magnesium impacted on lubricant performance. By monitoring lubricant oil quality were able to extend the engine oil change interval of this study by 50%, what resulted in a savings of 33.3% in the cost of lubricant per hour worked.
Highlights
Biogas, which mainly consists of methane and carbon dioxide, is a compound that presents in its composition impurities and other gases such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and water vapor in amounts that vary according to the biomass used, climatic factors, digester dimensions and other circumstances (Cervi, Esperancini, & Bueno, 2010)
As the engine lubricant is an indicator of wear caused by work conditions and quality of the fuel and oxidizer, the present study aims to assess the influence of the use of filtered biogas on lubricant oil contamination and degradation as well as on engine wear and corrosion
The values of viscosity, total base number (TBN), oxidation and nitrates did not exceed the limits standardized in the literature, even when the lubricant was used for 600 engine operating hours (EOH)
Summary
Biogas, which mainly consists of methane and carbon dioxide, is a compound that presents in its composition impurities and other gases such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and water vapor in amounts that vary according to the biomass used, climatic factors, digester dimensions and other circumstances (Cervi, Esperancini, & Bueno, 2010).Acta Scientiarum. Internal combustion engines that do not have gas cleaning processes suffer especially from their rapid degradation due to the presence of water vapor and hydrogen sulfide gas. These gases can cause corrosion in several parts of the engine, wear of moving parts and possible lubricant oil contamination. Another gas typically present in biogas and detrimental to engine performance is carbon dioxide, which acts as an anti-knock agent. The reduction of its contents can be performed with a biogas wash (in solvents or water) and subsequent drying, acting in the reduction of water vapor content
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