Chevron lubricant oil approved for MAN engines

Chevron HDAX 9700 engine oil has become the first lubricant oil approved at time-unrestricted. Specified for use with MAN Energy Solutions’ four-stroke engines running on either LNG or distillate fuels.

Concept

Specifically, Chevron Marine Lubricant’s low sulphated ash trunk piston engine lubricant oil approved for use with MAN Energy Solutions’ four-stroke engines.

This approval is the first of its kind. It offers simplicity for operators switching between the two fuels so that they can use just one lubricant. Chevron HDAX 9700 secured its unrestricted dual approval due to its unique development, the company says. 

Application

Chevron tested the oil on Luxembourg offshore operator Jan De Nul’s trailing suction hopper dredger and ultra-low emission vessel Sanderus. 

The company required an engine oil with very low sulphated ash formation due to the use of a variety of low sulphur fuels (below 0.10% sulphur) with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel particulate filter (DPF). Hence, contributes to its strategy for complying with European Stage V limits on nitrous oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions.

“We needed a low sulphated ash oil because the DPF would not handle high levels of ash deposits. But MAN ES had not approved any low sulphated ash oils for use with distillate fuels. We had already worked with Chevron for low sulphated ash oils on three other vessels, so we extended the relationship and ran a validation test for HDAX 9700 on Sanderus.”

Michel Deruyck, Jan De Nul

Chevron HDAX 9700 is an SAE 40 engine oil that aims to control sulphated ash accumulation in combustion chambers and the exhaust system. Concurrently, providing sufficient alkalinity to protect against acidic corrosion. 

The approval was granted after 6,500 running hours.

Note that, low sulphated ash oils commonly serve in gas engines. Therefore, MAN ES was able to grant unlimited approval for the lubricant when operating with LNG.

“Our exceptional partnership with Jan De Nul Group has resulted in a valuable step forward for ship operators using either LNG or distillate fuels.”

Luc Verbeeke, senior engineer, Chevron

Unrestricted operation on a single lubricant will benefit operators in several sectors. Jan De Nul will use the lubricant on further dredgers as well as jack-up vessels used in windfarm construction. Any vessels looking to comply with emission control areas by using LNG will also be able to use this oil.

Source: Chevron