ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants has upgraded its comprehensive marine engine condition monitoring programme. The MobilGard™ cylinder condition monitoring (CCM) programme now has the functionality for on-board oil samples to be quickly and easily compared against ExxonMobil’s database of nearly 100,000 test results, helping operators to protect and optimise the performance of their engines.
“The upgrade of the MobilGard CCM programme comes at a time when engine builders continue to push the boundaries in developing next generation models, and some marine operators are retrofitting older engines with fuel optimisation kits,” said Steve Walker, Global Field Engineering Services Manager, ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants. “With the introduction of new models and adaptation of older engines, comprehensive engine condition monitoring programmes are going to be key to help monitor these engines in operation going forward.”
The MobilGard CCM programme includes taking regular cylinder oil scrape down samples from the scavenge drain system. Two tests are carried out on the sample, which analyse the two key parameters of iron content and total base number (TBN) in the oil, using on-board measurement units. The concentration of iron in the scrape down oil provides an indication of an engine’s liner wear rate. The TBN level demonstrates if the engine’s liners are being protected from the effects of the acidic products of combustion, or are in danger of suffering from corrosive wear.
In addition to the on-board checks on scrape down oil , the MobilGard™ CCM programme includes a full range of laboratory-based tests to give further insights into the performance of the oil and engine. These include full oil condition and wear metal analysis . All findings are reported in an easy to understand format including historic trend analysis for the engine with advice on how to rectify areas of concern, and opportunities to optimise engine operation.
“ExxonMobil has been undertaking scrape down oil analysis programmes for over 10 years, which is why we can call on nearly 100,000 test results to compare a customer’s sample against,” comments Iain White, Global Field Marketing Manager, ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants. “Over 350 vessels currently rely on MobilGard CCM to help enhance the performance of their engines, and we’re ideally placed to support marine operators that are introducing new or retrofitted engines into their fleet.”
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