Solutions to the Engine Failures That Occurred Soon After Galveston Ferry Operations Began Using Texas Low Emissions Diesel Fuel

The research team found that the Galveston Ferry Operations (GFO) engine failures were the result of three factors: 1) the poor ring pack design of these engines, which results in a high oil consumption rate, 2) the high ash content of the re-refined oil that was used in the ferries, and 3) the decreased flame temperature for TxLED relative to 2D on-road diesel. The research team evaluated nine candidate oils as potential replacements for the re-refined oil that GFO was using as a result of a recommendation from a prior project that was conducted at a different university. These oils were evaluated based upon their effects on the oil consumption rate, engine wear, and in-cylinder calcium deposits. All of the candidate oils performed much better than the re-refined oil in all metrics. The research team recommends that GFO begin using Exxon Elite 20W50 in all of its ferries. A hardware solution was also identified. Although the hardware solution is not essential (as the failure problems are solved via use of a different oil), the hardware solution results in significantly decreased oil consumption, and thus is worthwhile.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_5532_1.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project Title: Galveston Ferry Operation (GFO) Engine TxLED Failure Assessment, Solution, and Implementation.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Texas, Austin

  Center for Transportation Research, 3208 Red River Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78705

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Matthews, Ron
  • Hall, Matt
  • Hedrick, John
  • Kibler, Clark
• Publication Date: 2007-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 42p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Diesel fuels; Engine oils; Engine performance; Ferries; Marine diesel engines
• Identifier Terms: Galveston Ferry Operations
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01105647
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-08/0-5532-1, Report No. 0-5532-1
• Contract Numbers: 0-5532
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 1 2008 4:43PM