TEXACO HDAX: Technical Q&A | So Good News

Q. What field test programs does Texaco Lubricants run on new products? How long do they usually last and do they vary from one OEM to another?

For every new product we develop, we conduct a series of robust field tests. Field testing follows 18-24 months of laboratory and in-house testing. Achieving critical OEM approvals for any product requires successful field testing, with each field test performed to each OEM’s individual specifications. These specifications vary from 4,000 hours to two years and are usually subject to extensive inspection by OEMs and Texaco personnel.

Q. Who are the ideal customers for Texaco HDAX products in Europe?

The three main customer segments that market the Texaco HDAX range for combined heat and power generation are natural, biogas and landfill gas applications.

Q. What can customers do to keep their equipment at optimal performance?

To ensure optimal performance, we recommend our customers use the Texaco Lubewatch oil analysis program. Texaco Lubewatch oil analysis allows customers to monitor the performance of the equipment that is the lifeblood of their business. By analyzing fixed oil, you can optimize equipment life and oil drain intervals, determine lubricant needs, and monitor changing equipment environments. This knowledge can help you create an accurate maintenance schedule that can reduce downtime or even eliminate the risk of catastrophic equipment failure.

S. Are environmental issues considered when designing products for the power generation sector?

Global environmental and emissions drivers are important factors in product formation. Increasing the use of natural gas and reducing the use of refined fuels will help reduce NOx, CO and hydrocarbons.

In addition, OEMs seek to reduce oil consumption and the ability to extend oil drain intervals, which impacts both the environment and equipment operation and maintenance costs.

Q. What do the new Texaco HDAX products offer regarding maintenance and drain intervals?

Lubricants are considered one of the “building blocks” of the engine. The main driver of Texaco HDAX products in gas engines is to help OEMs meet or reduce emission levels, protect the engine from excessive wear and together extend engine life, reduce maintenance tasks and lower overall engine overhaul costs.

Texaco HDAX 9300 is designed for high BMEP engines to provide oil drain intervals consistent with engine service intervals, providing extended uptime to reduce maintenance costs and aid profitability.

Texaco HDAX 9500 is formulated to help provide sludge, wear, base retention, oxidation and nitriding control in high-performance four-cycle natural gas engines operating on landfill or solvent gas. As proven in the field, this premium package can extend oil drain intervals while reducing the negative effects of ash deposits on sensitive engine parts.

Reduced ash deposits help maintain power in high BMEP engines, especially those equipped with knock sensors. Texaco HDAX 9500 provides additional protection against the corrosive effects of acids commonly found in landfill and solvent gas, while also extending oil drain intervals through improved base retention characteristics.

Q. What factors typically affect the performance of a gas engine?

Many operating parameters affect engine performance, however emissions/environmental levels are the most critical and require continuous monitoring to ensure optimum engine performance. OEMs and environmental legislation set very strict emission targets. When an engine is operated outside of optimal emission standards, it negatively affects the life of the engine oil and engine.

Q. Are there any upcoming pieces of legislation that will affect the combined heat and power sector in Europe or further afield?

In general, the European MCP (Medium Combustion Plant) Directive regulates pollutant emissions from fuel combustion in plants with a rated thermal output equal to or greater than 1 megawatt thermal (MW) and below 50 MWh. In Germany, TA-Luft changed to “44.BIMSchV” as a result of the 2017 European Directive, which affects new installations from 2018 and existing installations from 2025.

Q. What useful services does Texaco Lubricants offer customers in addition to its products?

Texaco Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) can provide real value to customers. Texaco provides natural gas engine oil qualification training to OEMs, end customers and distributors of our products. After training, employees can complete a detailed Best-in-Class assessment that uses testing criteria over and above the on-site survey to identify potential areas for improvement and respond to any concerns with tailored recommendations. Assessments guide product selection and provide a better understanding of product integrity so that products can be properly filtered and stored properly through condition monitoring. Drain intervals, inventory and supplier performance are also thoroughly investigated, complementing program management knowledge through a reliable maintenance plan.

This knowledge and support, combined with the data available through Texaco Lubewatch, is one of the best condition-based monitoring/used oil analysis programs available, allowing customers to get maximum value from their equipment.

Q. Current industrial engine technology and design exposes pistons to much higher temperatures than previous engines. How are Texaco HDAX lubricants designed to meet these challenges?

The latest high BMEP engines are built with steel pistons as opposed to traditional aluminum. Steel piston technology allows for higher HP, higher compression and higher combustion temperatures, thus making the engine more efficient. High BMEP engines require state-of-the-art lubrication capable of operating at extreme temperatures and low engine oil consumption. These state-of-the-art Texaco HDAX engine oils are specially formulated for extended oil drain intervals to match your engine maintenance program.

Q. What do you see as the main challenges for lubricant suppliers in the next 10 years?

The continuous revision and tightening of emission regulations will lead to further changes in the energy production network in Europe. The combined heat and power segment is now seeing an increase in “flexible mode” operations that affect operating hours and engine load. We are constantly working on solutions to extend oil life as well as improve engine efficiency resulting in potential fuel savings.

Q. What do you think are the main challenges facing the power generation sector?

The biggest challenge facing electricity generation is meeting the needs of modern environmentally sustainable energy production. The first priority is to adjust emission regulations for new plants as well as existing plants by 2025, which, combined with local government subsidies, will lead to challenges for power generation applications.

Another challenge is how the industry works to meet demand for electricity consumption and the increase in LNG being used in Europe on flex mode (known as peak shaving in the UK). These changes are accompanied by a reduction in coal use due to environmental factors and a reduction in nuclear use due to safety and long-term environmental concerns. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are certainly increasing, but these sources pose challenges regarding their reliability in order to be available on demand.

However, there is technology to help solve these challenges, new energy storage systems help reduce emissions, lower operating costs and increase engine availability, and new gas engine technology offers a cost-effective solution that contributes to grid stability. .

Texaco HDAX products with OEM approvals are backed by our in-house expertise, reliable field testing and the detailed value of Texaco Lubewatch oil analysis to meet the ever-changing needs of the power generation sector.

Chevron

Chevron has a strong heritage of over 100 years of experience in Europe and we sell lubricants under the Texaco® brand. With advanced technology, Texaco Lubricants enhances performance with a wide range of automotive engine oils, heavy duty diesel engine oils for trucks, antifreeze, coolant and industrial lubricants from Havoline®, Delo®, HDAX®, VARTECH. ® and Techron® brands serve global drivers and businesses. Visit our website for more information https://www.texacolubricants.com.

For more information contact:

Amy Miller – [email protected]

Belle Moss – [email protected]