TEXACO HDAX: Technical Q and A Part One
Q. What field test programs do Texaco Lubricants run on new products? How long do they typically last and do they vary from one OEM to another?
A. We run a series of robust field trials for every new product we develop. The field trial takes place after 18-24 months of laboratory and in-house testing. A successful field trial is required for any product to achieve crucial OEM approvals, with each field trial run to the individual specification of each OEM. These specifications can vary from 4,000 hours up to two years and are typically followed by a comprehensive inspection by the OEM and Texaco personnel.
Q. Who are the target customers for Texaco HDAX products in Europe?
A. The three key customer segments to which we market the Texaco HDAX range for combined heat & power generation are natural, biogas and landfill gas applications.
Q. What can customers do to keep their equipment at optimum performance levels?
A. We recommend our customers use our Texaco Lubewatch oil analysis programme to help ensure optimum performance. Texaco Lubewatch enables customers to track the performance of equipment that is the lifeblood of their business. Through regular oil analysis, equipment life and oil drain intervals can be optimised, lubricant needs can be identified, and the changing environment within the equipment can be monitored. This knowledge helps the precise scheduling of maintenance work that can reduce downtime or even eliminate the risk of catastrophic equipment failure.
Q. Are environmental concerns taken into consideration when designing products for the power generation sector?
A. Global environmental and emission drivers are important factors in product formulation. Increasing use of natural gas and reducing the use of distilled fuel aids the reduction of NOx, CO and hydrocarbons.
In addition, OEMs look to reduce oil consumption and for the potential to extend oil drain intervals. These factors have an effect on both the environment and operational and maintenance costs of equipment.
Q. What can Texaco HDAX products offer in respect of maintenance and drain intervals?
A. Lubricants are considered one of the ‘construction elements’ of an engine. The key driver for Texaco HDAX products in gas engines is to help OEMs meet or reduce emission levels, protect the engine from excessive wear and collectively extend engine life, to minimise maintenance tasks and reduce total engine overhaul cost.
Texaco HDAX 9300 is designed for High BMEP engines, to provide longer oil drain intervals in-line with engine service intervals, this in turn can help to reduce maintenance costs and allow for longer uptime to assist profitability.
Texaco HDAX 9500 has been formulated to help provide deposit, wear, base retention, oxidation and nitration control in high-output 4-cycle natural gas engines operating on landfill or digester gas. As demonstrated in the field, this premium package can extend oil drain intervals while minimising the negative effects of ash deposits on sensitive engine components.
Reduced ash deposits help to maintain the power output of high BMEP engines, in particular those equipped with knock sensors. Texaco HDAX 9500 provides additional protection against the corrosive effects of acids commonly found in landfill and digester gas while extending oil drain intervals through enhanced base retention characteristics.
Q. What factors most typically impact Gas engine performance?
A. Multiple operational parameters impact engine operation, however, emission/environmental levels are paramount and need to be continuously monitored to ensure optimum engine performance. OEMs and environmental legislation set very strict emission targets. When an engine operates outside its optimum emission targets, it will negatively affect the lifetime of the engine oil and the engine itself.
