Experimental Study of Lube Oil Characteristics in the PCV System and Effects on Engine Oil Consumption

• DOI: 10.1115/icef2004-0928
• Publication Date: 2008-12-19T18:35:41Z
• Authors: Oscar Lopez; Tian Tian; Victor W. Wong
• Keywords: Crankcase; Oil consumption

Engine oil consumption is an important source of hydrocarbon and particulate emissions in modern automobile engines. Great efforts are being made recent years to minimize the impact on engine emissions. Research engineers continue study sources driving mechanisms consumption. Of these mechanisms, contribution from Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system least investigated. However, studies have shown that blowby could be significant under certain conditions. The PCV refers vents gases loaded with back air intake system. It includes separators, breather connecting crankcase, a flow-regulating valve. In closed crankcase ventilation system, oil-loaded fed into intake. Blowby formed during operation by leakage unburdened compressed air-fuel mixture combustion chamber past piston ring pack crankcase. circulated through leave deposits manifold, thus both quantity physical characteristics re-circulated great interest. This analyzes blowby-oil examines main combining oil-consumption in-cylinder measurements. A sulfur-tracer method was used along gravimetric measure dependence level, coolant outlet temperature, operating speed load production spark ignition engine. Liquid distribution liner also studied using Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) technique. addition, variables such as temperature cylinder pressure affect evaporation flow rates were measured. map showed increase speed. Further analysis mainly dependent engine, whereas concentration did not show this strong relationship. Whether pick up more ring-pack region than carefully analyzed. Supplementally, relationship observed between sump showing blowby. More experiments run at different temperatures aimed identifying results These data provided additional information distinguish among possible Additional experimentation carried out estimate drop-size suspended ventilated gases, which entrainment small droplets varied load.