Maximizing Lubricant Life for Internal Combustion Engines

Abstract

Although the lubrication systems for internal combustion engines have been designed to prevent engine wear and friction, their configuration does not contemplate the maximum use of each load of lubricant; because of this limitation, lubricant consumption is currently an environmental and economic problem. In this work, the performance of lubrication systems to form the tribological film that prevents wear is simulated and optimized, through the mass balance of the lubricant precursors contained in the oil and the implementation of optimal control techniques. Optimization results indicate that regulating the flow of lubricant passing through the engine prevents excessive degradation of lubricant precursors, maximizing the life of each lube oil charge, giving the possibility to increase the sustainability of internal combustion engines.