Automatic Diesel Fuels Lubricating Property Tester

Ensuring Diesel Engine Protection with the Automatic Diesel Fuels Lubricating Property Tester

Introduction
Diesel fuels must not only combust cleanly but also provide adequate boundary lubrication for injectors and fuel pumps. As low-sulfur and bio-blend fuels become more widespread, their inherent lubricity can diminish, leading to accelerated component wear. The Automatic Diesel Fuels Lubricating Property Tester from Changsha Friend Experimental Analysis Instrument Co., Ltd. automates standardized wear testing to quantify fuel lubricating ability, enabling refiners and engine manufacturers to maintain injector durability and fuel-system reliability.

Testing Principle
This tester employs the High-Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) method as defined by ASTM D6079 or ISO 12156-1. A lubricated contact between a stationary ball (hardened steel) and a flat plate (steel or ceramic) oscillates at high frequency (typically 50 Hz) under a constant load (e.g., 200 g). The fuel sample, maintained at test temperature (60 °C), floods the contact zone. After a fixed number of cycles (e.g., 75,000 strokes), the wear scar diameter on the ball is measured microscopically. Smaller scar diameters indicate better lubricity.

Design Highlights

• Precision Reciprocating Actuator: Controls stroke length (1 mm) and frequency (50 Hz) with ±1% accuracy.

• Temperature-Controlled Chamber: Maintains fuel temperature at 60 °C ±0.1 °C to simulate real-world fueling environments.

• Load Cell and Force Feedback: Ensures consistent 200 g normal load throughout the test.

• Automated Scar Measurement: Integrated imaging system captures high-resolution ball images and computes wear scar diameter to ±0.5 µm.

• User Interface and Reporting: Touchscreen software guides test setup, monitors run status, and generates standardized lubricity reports.

Industry Applications

• Refineries and Fuel Blending Plants: Screen bio-diesel blends and additive packages to meet injectors’ minimum lubricity requirements.

• Engine OEMs: Validate in-fuel lubricity to prevent premature pump or injector wear.

• Fuel Distributors: Check batches for compliance with local and international standards.

• Third-Party Test Laboratories: Provide independent lubricity certification for fuels destined for automotive, marine, or power-generation sectors.

Best Practices

1. Sample Preparation: Filter fuels through a 2 µm filter to remove particulates that could affect wear.

2. Component Maintenance: Clean and inspect balls and plates after each run to prevent scoring artifacts.

3. Calibration: Use certified reference fuels with known HFRR scar diameters monthly to verify system accuracy.

4. Documentation: Record ambient humidity and barometric pressure, as they can subtly influence wear behavior.

By integrating this automatic tester, organizations can ensure diesel fuels maintain sufficient lubricating properties—even as sulfur content drops—protecting high-pressure fuel systems from wear and extending service life.