Improvement of Engine Lubricant Oil Dilution by Reforming of FAME Using Metathesis Reaction

Abstract

Engine oil dilution can occur because biodiesel fuel (Fatty acid methyl ester: FAME) has lower volatility than petro-diesel fuel. Recently, it was reported that the FAME was broken down to low-molecular structure by cross-metathesis reaction and therefore improving the volatility of FAME. In this study, the improvement of oil dilution was investigated by long-term engine test using the surrogate fuel which simulated FAME after the cross-metathesis reaction. From the experimental result, the dilution ratio using surrogate fuel became about one third in comparison with the case of using FAME only, therefore the oil dilution was improved.