殼牌全球解決方案的Karin Haumann在采訪中分享了關于新型PC-12發(fā)動機機油的見解,并探討了替代燃料對其研發(fā)過程的影響。
八月,殼牌Rotella在俄亥俄州鮑靈格林舉辦的全美拖拉機拉力錦標賽上贊助了Koester Racing車隊的迷你改裝拖拉機,并在現場接受了記者訪問。殼牌全球解決方案的OEM技術經理Karin Haumann接受了SAE的采訪,介紹了公司即將推出的12類(PC-12)重型柴油發(fā)動機機油。PC-12發(fā)動機機油目前正在研發(fā)中,預計于2027年1月1日獲得使用許可。在售的CK-4和FA-4類別機油均于2016年推出。
美國石油學會(API)新類別開發(fā)小組主席Haumann表示,由于發(fā)動機技術在不斷進步,且2027年起將實施更嚴格的排放法規(guī),因此有必要開發(fā)新類別的發(fā)動機機油。她還指出,“隨著柴油發(fā)動機技術的不斷發(fā)展,機油需要具備更出色的抗氧化和抗磨損性能,能夠承受更高的溫度,并能提高發(fā)動機的燃油經濟性。”此外,潤滑油生產商必須遵守更嚴格的磷和硫酸鹽灰分限值,否則可能會損害排放控制系統(tǒng),進而影響燃油經濟性。
SAE:PC-12發(fā)動機機油的開發(fā)進度如何?
Karin:在符合新要求和性能標準方面,PC-12已基本完成開發(fā)。目前,我們正在進行發(fā)動機測功機測試,確保新測試的結果精確且可重復,同時我們還在驗證基礎油的互換性,并根據各種指南進行交叉參照驗證。明年,我們將進入為期12個月的技術展示期,這是API流程的一部分,在此期間機油營銷商將進行測試并向我們提供性能反饋。我們將根據這些反饋,確定機油的最終性能限值。隨后是API強制規(guī)定的1年等待期,在此期間所有公司都可以開展測試。整個開發(fā)過程預計還需兩年左右,目前我們正在開展候選機油的實地試驗及其他相關工作。
SAE:在PC-12類別下,現有的FA-4機油如何兼容?
Karin:PC-12機油分為兩個子類別:PC-12a(向后兼容)和PC-12b(對應FA-4),二者的要求略有不同。PC-12b僅適用于不再產生5-6%煙炱的現代發(fā)動機,因此降低了對煙炱處理的要求。此外,PC-12b還將包含xW20機油。這樣一來,5W20或0W20機油就可以在理論上以新標號獲得許可,目前名稱暫定為FB-4,但還有待確定,我們暫且稱之為FB-4。FB-4與FA-4相似,只是規(guī)定了更低的機油粘度。我預計這些機油短期內不會進入北美市場。我們還在開展未來驗證,因為該類別預計將持續(xù)到2040年。未來的OEM可能會使用這些機油,到時候我們就不必再開發(fā)新的機油類別了。
SAE:0W20和5W20機油目前已在歐洲市場應用,這對北美市場有什么影響?
Karin:是的,也正因如此,我們才推出這些新機油。幾十年來,歐洲和北美市場的發(fā)動機機油需求都各自發(fā)展,存在差異,而戴姆勒卡車北美(DTNA)、戴姆勒和現已并入傳拓(Traton)的納威司達(Navistar)等公司在這兩個市場都開展了業(yè)務。它們都打算推出適用于兩個市場的單一機油,以提高效率。此外,它們還在開發(fā)同時適用于兩個市場的發(fā)動機。因此,我們的目標是幫助他們開發(fā)兩大市場通用的機油。但挑戰(zhàn)依然存在,因為兩地的要求畢竟不同,我們也不希望企業(yè)為了迎合所有需求而過度調配機油,這樣反而得不償失。不過,我們確實看到,OEM現在希望在出廠時使用低粘度的5W30 FA-4機油,甚至在未來可能會使用5W20 FA-4機油。因此,我們目前正全力支持這一工作。
SAE:氫內燃機發(fā)展勢頭向好,這對你們的業(yè)務有何影響?
Karin:殼牌會一如既往地全力支持OEM的發(fā)動機研發(fā),并與其共同開發(fā)與發(fā)動機配套的機油。發(fā)動機制造商開始研發(fā)新機型時,通常會在現有機油的基礎上開展工作。目前,他們仍在確定新機油將面臨的挑戰(zhàn)或特殊需求。因此,我們會與OEM保持密切協作,為他們提供不同的候選機油,并借助現有產品支持他們開展測功機測試,同時評估是否需要提供額外的技術支持。不過,這些新項目短期內不會影響行業(yè)標準。但不論何時,我們都會盡全力支持OEM,協助他們推進產品研發(fā)。
Karin:在PC-12類別開發(fā)之前,我們首先組建了新類別評估小組(NCET),之后過渡到新類別開發(fā)小組(NCDT)。在評估階段,我們與OEM密切協作,明確他們的需求與目標。我們會討論:“目標是什么?需要什么?不需要什么?你們想實現哪些性能目標?是否有必要新增類別?”等問題。在評估過程中,我們也研究了可再生燃料及其性能的評估方法。然而,經過討論,我們一致認為目前該技術尚不成熟,不值得納入標準。總之,我們不會將可再生燃料納入PC-12機油類別。
根據發(fā)動機制造商在這一問題上的普遍處理方式,以及API文件的指引,如果需要使用替代燃料,建議先咨詢OEM。而OEM的建議通常只是縮短換油周期。實際上,很多問題都是與具體發(fā)動機相關的。比如他們的發(fā)動機硬件具體如何與某種類型的燃料相適應?就像變速箱機油一樣,該問題的針對性較強。也就是說,他們會繼續(xù)這樣處理這個問題,直到行業(yè)確定了替代燃料的一些關鍵特性。到那時候他們會說:“這個技術值得關注,需要測試,我們會推行這個技術。”但是行業(yè)目前還沒有走到這一步。
SAE:當PC-12類別于2027年1月開始實施時,您認為行業(yè)會有何反應?
Karin:我希望行業(yè)能夠輕松采納。但現行FA-4機油推廣速度緩慢的原因在于許多車隊和組織采用的是混合車隊,且應用場景復雜,而且他們經常會選擇通用程度最低的機油。哪一款機油可以潤滑所有發(fā)動機?如果車隊中有無法使用FA-4機油的非公路設備或老舊卡車,而且他們知道FA-4發(fā)動機也可以使用CK-4機油,那么他們通常會選擇在所有設備上都直接使用CK-4機油。不過,目前OEM正與車隊客戶合作,向他們介紹使用FA-4機油的好處。實際上,有些車隊能夠輕松使用FA-4機油,因為他們的所有車輛都很現代化,且全是公路用車,車隊中的卡車使用壽命也都在五年以下。目前,FA-4的使用率增加主要得益于時間的推移、教育的普及以及車隊的更新換代。然而,如你所知,許多現役發(fā)動機都是老舊產品。
Karin:對于殼牌的特定產品,美國休斯敦的技術中心主要負責PC-12機油的研發(fā),而德國漢堡的技術中心則專注歐洲市場的機油研發(fā)。兩個技術中心密切合作,致力于尋找可以互補的研發(fā)領域。我們的歐洲同事與我們保持緊密聯系,因為我想了解歐洲市場OEM的具體需求、面臨的問題以及需要改進的地方。這樣一來,我們也會在PC-12的研發(fā)中盡力滿足這些需求。
SAE:殼牌在研發(fā)過程中如何考慮賽車或拖拉機牽引賽等因素?
Karin:我不確定我們是否會為Koester Racing的應用專門開發(fā)升級版機油。顯然Koester會有一些特殊需求,這通常是由殼牌賽車部門負責的獨立項目。但與Koester的合作對我們來說也非常重要,因為這涉及到對機油性能的終極壓力測試。盡管使用的配方可能略有不同,但都是基于我們在Rotella系列中使用的核心化學配方,只是在某些方面進行了調整,以滿足他們的特定需求。通過與Koester合作,我們能獲得他們對機油性能的反饋,這對我們來說極為寶貴。就像測功機測試一樣,其本質是將跑10萬英里的自然過程加速,并在200小時內完成。這種比賽也類似,它完美展現了我們可以做到這一點,因此對我們來說始終具有重要價值。
Q&A with Karin Haumann of Shell Global Solutions offers insights into new PC-12 oils and how alternative fuels impact the development process.
Shell Rotella hosted journalists at the National Tractor Pulling Championships in Bowling Green, Ohio, in August, where the company was sponsoring tractors run by Koester Racing in the mini-modified division. Karin Haumann, OEM technical manager of Shell Global Solutions, was onsite and spoke with SAE Media about the approaching proposed category 12 (PC-12) heavy-duty diesel engine oil category. PC-12 engine oils are in development and will be licensed for use on January 1, 2027. The current engine oil categories, CK-4 and FA-4, were introduced in 2016.
Development of the new category is necessary due to advancements in engine technology, and it aligns with stricter emissions regulations that begin in 2027, said Haumann, who serves as chairperson of the API new category development team. “As diesel engine technology evolves, they require oils that offer increased oxidation performance and wear reduction, can handle higher temperatures, and improve fuel economy,” she said. Lubricant producers also must meet reduced phosphorous and sulfated ash limits, which otherwise can compromise emission control systems and negatively impact fuel economy.
Where does PC-12 stand in the development process?
The category is pretty much developed with respect to what the new requirements are, what the performance requirements are. We’re going through testing of the engine dyno tests to get the precision and the repeatability and all of that for the new tests and base oil interchange and read across guidelines, that stuff. In the next year, part of the API process is we have a 12-month tech demonstration period, where the oil marketers will have a year to run the tests and get performance feedback. That all feeds into what the limits are going to be. And then API has a mandatory wait requirement for a year to allow all the companies to have access to the tests. So, we’re about two years away. We’re working on getting candidate oils in field trials and those types of things.
Under PC-12, how do the current FA-4 oils fit into it?
We split the category up into two: PC-12a [for backwards compatibility] and PC-12b, which is the one representing FA-4, because we have slightly different requirements. We’re reducing the soot handling requirement in PC-12b because it’s only for use in modern engines that don’t create 5-6% soot anymore. We’re adding xW20 oils, so we could theoretically license a 5W20 or a 0W20 under the new [designation], presumably it’ll be called FB-4, but we’ll finalize that at the end. But let’s just say FB-4, it’s going to mirror FA-4 with the additional lower viscosities. I don’t expect to see those in the [North American] market anytime soon. We’re future proofing since this category is expected to last through 2040. The OEMs may need that in the future, and we won’t have to develop another category for it.
The 0W20 and 5W20 oils are in Europe now. How does that impact North America?
They are and that’s why we’re introducing those now. You’ve got DTNA and Daimler, Navistar’s now part of Traton, so those companies are working in the two markets whose engine-oil needs have evolved differently over the decades. But they’re trying to gain efficiency by validating one oil across both markets. And they’re trying to develop engines that will work in both markets. So, we’re trying to help them by getting closer to an oil that can be used in both markets. There are still some challenges because the requirements are different, and you don’t want to over-formulate for everybody. That can be counterproductive. But we do see the OEMs now wanting to factory fill with those lower [viscosity] 5W30 FA-4s and even a 5W20 FA-4 in the future. So, we’re trying to support that.
Hydrogen combustion engines are gaining some momentum. How does that factor into what you’re doing?
Shell supports the OEMs and every opportunity that we have to work with them in their engine development and kind of co-develop the oil with the engine. Typically, when an engine manufacturer starts a new development, they will try to start the development on an existing oil that they have. They’re still working on identifying what the stressors are on the oil or what the special needs might be, so we’re working closely, supplying different candidates, supporting their dyno testing with products that we have, and evaluating where there may be some additional needs. That’s not going to trickle into the industry specification for quite some time. But we are working wherever we can with the OEMs to support them with products during their development.
Are renewable fuels considered under PC-12?
Prior to the PC-12 process or the development process, we start with what we call the NCET, new category evaluation team, and then it transitions into new category development team (NCDT). During the evaluation is when we’re working with the OEMs and saying, ‘What do you want? What do you need? What don’t you need? What are the performance targets? And is there a justification for incrementing the category?’ Part of that NCET process, we looked at renewable fuels and how we evaluate for performance. As a group, we just didn’t have enough traction technically to say this is what we should be looking at. So, we decided that was not going to be part of PC-12.
The way the engine manufacturers handle this and the way the API documentation reads is that if you’re using an alternative fuel, consult your OEM. And the way OEMs have been handling it is they just recommend a shorter oil drain interval. A lot of it is kind of engine specific, how is their engine hardware exactly going to be handling what types of fuel? And so it’s a little more specialized, like transmission fluids are. So, that’s how they are going to continue to handle it until we really identify some key features: ‘Oh hey, we need to be watching for and testing for this, and this is how we’re going to do it.’ We’re just not there yet at the industry level.
How do you expect the industry to respond come January 2027?
I wish I could say that it was easy. The problem with the [slower] take rate on FA-4 is so many fleets and organizations have a mixed fleet, mixed applications, and they kind of gravitate to the least common denominator. What’s the one oil that I know can lubricate everything? If they’ve got off-highway equipment or older trucks in their fleet that can’t use FA-4, well they know the FA-4 engine can use CK-4, so let’s just use CK-4 in everything. I will say that the OEMs are working with their fleet customers, expressing the benefits of using it. To be honest, there’s a certain type of fleet that can use it because everything they have is modern. Everything they have is on-highway, all of their trucks are less than five years old. Those kinds of fleets can very easily adopt it. What’s contributed to the increase in FA-4 adoption now is just time, education, people learning about it, fleet turning over. But as you know, in this industry, some of these engines that are on the road are not new.
Where is the development work taking place for Shell?
For our specific products, our main technology center in Houston is in charge of the PC-12 development. We have a technology center also in Hamburg [Germany] that focuses on the development for the European oils. We work very closely together because we’re trying to identify areas where we can overlap. My counterparts in Europe are very tied into what we’re doing … because I want to hear, what are the OEMs over there asking for specifically? What problems are they having? What improvements do they need? So, we try to incorporate as much of that into the PC-12 that we can.
How does motorsports or tractor pulling, for example, tie into Shell’s development?
I don’t know if we’ll be working on a specialized upgrade for [Koester Racing’s] application. That’s a separate thing [handled mostly by Shell’s motorsports unit] because they’ve got some unique needs obviously. But what we do with Koester is important because this is the ultimate stress test on the oil. Their formulation might be slightly different, but it’s based on a core chemistry that we use in Rotella – might have a little tweak here and there for something extra they need. We’re able to get feedback from Koester on how they see the performance. That really does help us. Just like the dyno tests, the purpose is to accelerate a natural phenomenon that takes a hundred thousand miles, but we want to do it in 200 hours. This is similar, it’s a perfect example of how we can do that. So, that’s always valuable for us.