The newly launched engine oil Texaco Delo 600 ADF includes a “revolutionary” new additive technology and product line designed to significantly reduce diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogging; extending DPF service life by up to 2.5 times for a 3% fuel economy retention advantage over the life of the equipment.
Texaco Delo 600 ADF with OMNIMAX™, a Chevron Patented Technology, the company says is the first heavy-duty engine oil with the capability to drastically reduce soot build up in DPF filters, “helping deliver outstanding system protection to both the engine and the emissions system. Suitable for both on and off-highway application, Texaco Delo 600 ADF with Chevron’s patented OMNIMAX™ technology, is formulated with only 0.4% sulphated ash – far lower than the API and ACEA limit of 1% sulphated ash, as found in many current heavy-duty engine oils.”
This new product line and additive technology helps drastically reduce the rate of DPF clogging, resulting in extended DPF service life, less frequent DPF regeneration cycles, and contributing to a 3% improved fuel economy over the life of the equipment.
Development of Texaco Delo 600 ADF came on the back of a desire to help ensure customers were able to achieve lowest possible running costs, and to meet emissions regulations, for off-highway applications. Stage I European standards for engines used in Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) were implemented in 1999, and over the years the requirements for NOx and particulates have become more stringent, helping equipment become far cleaner.
Whilst Stage III and Stage IV led to limited use of DPFs, Stage V is driving widespread adoption of DPFs, which can be very effective at reducing particulate matter emissions but are subject to periodic cleaning to remove incombustible materials that accumulate over time.
Rommel Atienza, Chevron Global Commercial Brand Manager, said: “The downside of DPFs is their operation inherently increases fuel consumption to assure that enough heat is generated to burn off the accumulated soot. This comes at a cost, not only the upfront cost associated with these devices and the numerous sensors and dosing units that enable them, but also ongoing operational and maintenance costs.”
He adds: “Texaco Delo 600 ADF significantly reduces the rate of DPF clogging, to extend DPF service life by up to 2.5 times, resulting in a 3% fuel economy retention advantage over the life of the equipment and delivering significant savings to customers.”
Maintaining modern emission control systems also had a significant impact on the on-highway industry. Although DPF systems have been in operation for many years there are still reported operational issues. In a 2020 UK survey commissioned by Texaco Lubricants, 67% of respondents reported issues with the emission control systems, including many that specifically referenced the DPF. In fact, nearly half of the survey respondents indicated that they’d needed to force a manual regeneration of the DPF to restore its operation in service – an unplanned maintenance activity that keeps the truck off the road and out of service, and that also requires burning of fuel. DPF blockages that required cleaning or replacement were the most commonly reported issues.
Atienza said, “With DPF systems now being utilised not only in on-highway applications, but in the construction, mining, quarrying, power generation, agricultural and forestry sectors, it is safe to assume that similar issues to those experienced in the truck and transport sector will start to be reported elsewhere.”
The DPF collects up to 98% of particulate matter emissions in the form of soot and ash, the majority of which is burnt off during typical DPF regeneration cycles. The ash element, however, is incombustible material derived from metallic lubricant additives, which means that over time the DPF clogs, and equipment and fleet owners are forced to take units out of service to restore the DPF function, incurring maintenance costs, and lost productivity. If too much soot and ash builds up in the DPF, the large amount of heat produced by regeneration can result in DPF damage, with replacements costing several thousand pounds. DPF clogging increases engine back pressure, and regeneration cycles, resulting in a higher fuel consumption.
But it is not just about DPF protection, says Chevron. Texaco Delo 600 ADF meets or exceeds ACEA E6, E9, and OEM specifications, “and has demonstrated outstanding oxidation stability in industry, OEM and field tests, providing the opportunity to extend engine oil drain intervals. Sharing the durability of Texaco Delo 400 products, Texaco Delo 600 ADF has also delivered superb valve-train wear protection and piston deposit performance.”
Rommel Atienza concluded, “Let’s not forget this is an engine oil, and we have seen remarkable performance in engine protection too, which will add to the value Delo 600 ADF will bring customers.” The full Delo 600 ADF line was available from July 1, 2020 and includes Delo 600 ADF 15W-40 and Delo 600 ADF 10W-30.
