Soot Problem In Diesel Engines
Ever since man’s discovery of fire, the phenomenon of soot has followed suit. Along with the lovely chemical reaction that converts carbon into energy (heat), a rather undesirable black substance remains. The unburned portions of the process serve us little use, and as of late been discovered to yield respiratory health issues. What are these leftover portions that are often but a wisp of black air? How are we addressing the reduction of this harmful substance?
BG Products Inc. high resolution microscope
Why Soot Is The Problem?
Soot, (also referred to as particulate matter “PM” when categorised through emissions) has been a hot topic in the automotive and heavy machinery industry. The increasingly strict tightening of emission standards has demanded new technologies be required. Devices such as diesel particulate filters “DPF”’s have been developed to assist in the reduction of sooty PM entering the atmosphere. They have been proven to be very effective in particular operating conditions.
Diesel exhaust pollution accounts for over one-quarter of the total hazardous pollution in the air. Among these diesel emission components, particulate matter has been a serious concern for human health due to its direct and broad impact on the respiratory organs. In earlier times, health professionals associated PM10 (diameter < 10μm) with chronic lung disease, lung cancer, influenza, asthma, and increased mortality rate. However, recent scientific studies suggest that these correlations be more closely linked with fine particles and ultra-fine particles.
Long-term exposure to urban air pollution containing soot increases the risk of coronary artery disease.
Diesel exhaust gas is a major contributor to combustion-derived particulate-matter air pollution. Diesel exhaust gases have been linked to acute vascular dysfunction and increased thrombus formation. This serves as a plausible mechanistic link between the previously described association between particulate matter air pollution and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Diesel fuel is notorious for producing large amounts of particulate matter (soot). Regularly burning this soot cocktail in a diesel engine can take a toll, leaving unburned hydrocarbons throughout the intake and emissions system. The diesel particulate filter’s (DPF) primary job is to remove the soot from the exhaust gas, to reduce air pollution. Manufacturers of DPF technology are getting better at keeping PM out of the air. But what can be done to prevent excess soot and PM from overburdening or harming the DPF itself?
Soot particles in engine oil tend to attach to each other and form chains. These chains form larger globules and will eventually lead to diesel engine oil thickening. Artificially thicker engine oil may hinder lubrication and yield higher operating temperatures. Higher operating temperature means shorter engine oil life expectancy and increased deposit formation. If this can’t be controlled beforehand it will lead to higher operational costs, more downtime and more harmful emissions.
Diesel engine deposit formation process:
Soot formation ↘︎
Engine oil thickening ↘︎
Increased operating temperature ↘︎
Engine oil degradation ↘︎
More evaporation and fuel to oil dilution ↘︎
Intake and emission system deposits ↘︎
Major engine repair
Soot thickened diesel engine oil
Maintenance Is The Key
Diesel engines operating in a new-like condition can cope with particulate matter. Emission system devices are designed to collect excess particulate matter and burn it away. This system works well given the right conditions, but often the variables are against it.
Driving conditions, low-quality fuel and driving habits all affect soot production. There are many variables that we must consider when we address particulate matter and soot in diesel engines. What kind of service was carried out?
“Let’s be honest, a regular oil change doesn’t really count for service.”
It is even recommended to do additional service when conditions are more severe. According to many Original Equipment Manufacturers severe is the new normal nowadays.
How to Control Soot Formation?
Diesel engine maintenance is really quite simple, you only need three things: air, fuel, and compression. However, compression is often overlooked and usually hindered in Diesel engines with high operating hours. Making sure the engine has peak compression is a must for diesel engine operation. BG EPR® is designed to safely clean piston rings to free them up and restore compression.
We have excellent experiences with heavy diesel engines, diesel Ute’s or normal diesel cars driving in city environments.
Same oil treated with BG Diesel Oil Conditioner, PN 112
The latest diesel engine oil chemical technology are soot controlling dispersants. Some of this technology is found in the latest Diesel engine oil categories CK-4 and FA-4. BG Diesel engine oil conditioner (BG DOC PN 112 & 11232) is equipped with a similar proprietary blend of soot controlling chemicals, but also makes use of unique Soot Scatter™ technology. Basically, this additional additive technology ensures soot chain formation can be prevented before the oil is overburdened. It’s a social distancing concept we don’t mind applying to soot. This will lower operating temperature and help to protect engine oil degradation. This is one of its kind product that will drastically improve your asset protection during the service interval.
Our BG Performance Service is designed to control diesel engine deposit formation.
-Clinton J. Meyer
ACS Certified Petroleum Chemist working for BG Australia
BG Products Inc.
BG Products, Inc., the leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive fuel and oil conditioners, specialty chemicals, greases, tools and equipment, is ISO 9001, 14001, 17025 and 45001 certified.
As an ISO Certified company BG Products, Inc. is obligated to provide transparent and factual information. All products are tested and proven to provide added benefits to equipment owners.
Our primary focus is to prevent oil and fuel-based deposit formation. In passenger vehicles, we call that service BG Performance Service.
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