How can acid value affect the lubrications? There has been a significant change in the contaminant loading in engines over the last decade, different approaches to engine oil are used to achieve the desired results. In all engines, fuel is burned and a reaction with oxygen occurs, which is known as oxidation. The acid value of lubricating oil is defined as the milligrams of KOH needed to neutralize the amount of free acid present in one gram of oil. There are various techniques for determining the concentration of acid, which is denoted by the acronym TAN: Total Acid Number. The presence of sulphur in fuel is a major factor in the formation of strong acids: the more sulphur, the more acids.
The total base number is an important component of the engine oil so if your fuel contains a lot of sulphur then make sure you have a high base number to protect your engine from corrosion. The total acid value will increase over a certain period when the total base number is used. So the acid value can affect the lubrication so it is the right time to change the oil. High temperatures are the primary cause of lubrication and antiwear degradation in aero-lubricating oils.
Under normal operating conditions, lubricating oils, particularly engine oils, are adversely affected by high temperatures. The oil which is oxidized is a combined effect of oxygen from air and high temperatures. This will lead to partial decomposition of the components of some of the products. The engine oils also contain strong organic and inorganic acids that are either residue of in-process
intermediates or inorganic acids resulting from the oxidation of engine components.
When acidic substances react with metals, salts form, which is responsible for the formation of sludge in lubricating oil systems. So if there is an increase in the acidic value, there will be a decrease in the base which can lead to depletion of the engine oil treatment package. It is useful for monitoring acid buildup in oils caused by antioxidant depletion. High acid levels can indicate excessive oil oxidation or depletion of oil additives, which can lead to internal component corrosion. The oil can be changed before any damage occurs by monitoring the acid level.
Texol is one of the most reliable lubricant manufacturers in UAE. To build a longterm commitment with their customers, they have a selection of industrial and transformer oil designed to meet the unique requirements of different industries and operations such as engineering, steel, textile, cement, or sugar. If you’re looking for automotive lubricants Dubai, give them a call to discuss your needs.