On-line measurement of oil dilution is of interest in light of new environmental regulations imposed on today's high-performance engines.  In particular, after-treatment devices such as diesel particle filters (D.P.F.) need to be periodically re-generated in order to eliminate their soot content. Such re-generation process is typically performed by using post-injection cycles that can induce a transfer of fuel to the lubricant, resulting in oil dilution.  

A new method was recently developed by D.S.I. sprl and TOTAL France for monitoring oil dilution and evaporation on running engines. It is based on lubricant labelling using a new radiotracer compound, which is representative of the oil content into the sump.  Fuel dilution / evaporation measurement is performed by circulating the engine oil to a measuring chamber where specific activity of the oil is monitored continuously.  

D-Lube: Fuel dilution monitoring equipment

o        results are available on-line, during operation of the engine;

o        the method offers an excellent resolution that corresponds to 0.05%/h in terms of of dilution rate;

o        it offers an excellent discrimination between fuel and lubricant, which is the weakness of the GC method where superposition of the heavy fuel fraction and the light oil fraction can induce uncertainties.

Detailed information on this product is available HERE