TEXACO HDAX: technical questions and answers

Q. What field test programs does Texaco Lubricants run on new products? How long do they usually last and do they vary from one OEM to another?

We conduct a series of robust field tests for every new product we develop. Field tests are carried out after 18-24 months of laboratory and in-house tests. Successful field testing is required for any product to obtain critical OEM approvals, with each field test being tailored to each OEM’s individual specifications. These specifications range from 4,000 hours to two years and are usually accompanied by a comprehensive inspection by the OEM and Texaco personnel.

Q. Who is the ideal target customer for Texaco HDAX products in Europe?

The three key customer segments to which we sell the Texaco HDAX range for combined heat and power are natural, biogas and landfill gas.

Q. What can customers do to keep their equipment at optimum performance?

We encourage our customers to use our Texaco Lubewatch oil analysis program to ensure optimal performance. Texaco Lubewatch oil analysis allows customers to monitor the performance of the equipment that is the lifeblood of their business. With regular oil analysis, you can optimize equipment life and oil change intervals, identify lubricant needs, and monitor equipment environmental changes. This knowledge helps to accurately schedule maintenance activities, which can reduce downtime or even eliminate the risk of catastrophic equipment failure.

Q: Are environmental issues considered when developing products for the energy sector?

Global environmental and emissions factors are important factors in product development. Increasing the use of natural gas and reducing the use of distillate fuels helps reduce NOx, CO and hydrocarbon emissions.

In addition, OEMs strive to reduce oil consumption and the ability to increase oil change intervals, which affects both the environment and the operating and maintenance costs of equipment.

Question. What will the new Texaco HDAX products offer regarding maintenance and replacement intervals?

Lubricants are considered one of the “structural elements” of the engine. The key driver for Texaco HDAX gas engine products is to help OEMs achieve or reduce emissions, protect the engine from excessive wear, and jointly extend engine life to minimize maintenance tasks and reduce overall engine overhaul costs.

Texaco HDAX 9300 is designed for high BMEP engines to provide longer oil change intervals to match engine service intervals, reducing maintenance costs and providing longer uptime for increased profitability.

Texaco HDAX 9500 has been developed to help provide control of deposits, wear, base retention, oxidation and nitration in high-performance four-stroke natural gas engines running on landfill or methane gas. As proven in the field, this premium package can extend oil change intervals while minimizing the negative impact of ash deposits on sensitive engine components.

Reducing ash deposits helps maintain the power output of high BMEP engines, particularly those equipped with knock sensors. Texaco HDAX 9500 provides additional protection against the corrosive effects of acids commonly found in landfill and cooking gases, while extending oil change intervals through improved base retention characteristics.

Q. What factors most often affect the performance of a gas engine?

Several operating parameters affect engine performance, however emissions/environment are of paramount importance and require constant monitoring to ensure optimum engine performance. Manufacturers of complete equipment and environmental legislation set very strict emission figures. If the engine is operating outside of the optimal emission parameters, this negatively affects the life of the engine oil and the engine itself.

Question. Is there any legislation that will affect the combined heat and power sector in Europe or further afield?

In general, tEuropean MCP (Medium Combustion Plants) Directive. regulates pollutant emissions from the combustion of fuels in installations with a rated thermal output equal to or greater than 1 megawatt of thermal energy (MW) and less than 50 MW. In Germany, TA-Luft 2017 is changed to “44.BIMSchV” as a result of the European Directive, this will affect new installations from 2018 and existing installations from 2025.

Q. What useful services does Texaco Lubricants provide to customers in addition to its products?

Texaco Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) can offer real value to customers. Texaco provides professional training to competent equipment manufacturers, end users and those who sell our products. After training, employees can complete a detailed Best-in-Class assessment that uses a range of testing criteria in addition to an on-site survey to identify potential areas for improvement and respond to any concerns with tailored recommendations. The assessments will guide product selection and can provide a better understanding of product integrity so that products are stored correctly with appropriate filtering and condition monitoring. Replacement intervals, inventory and supplier performance are also fully explored, adding to the knowledge of program management with a robust maintenance plan.

This knowledge and support, combined with the data available through Texaco Lubewatch, is one of the best used oil condition monitoring/analysis programs available to help customers get the most out of their equipment.

Q. Current industrial engine technology and design have much higher piston temperatures than previous engines. How were Texaco HDAX lubricants designed to solve these problems?

The latest high BMEP engines are made with steel pistons as opposed to the traditional aluminum ones. Steel piston technology allows for increased hp, increased compression and combustion temperature, making the engine more efficient. High BMEP engines require a modern lubricant that is capable of operating in extreme temperatures and low engine oil consumption. These state-of-the-art Texaco HDAX motor oils are specially formulated for extended oil change intervals that meet your engine maintenance program.

Q. What do you see as the main challenges for lubricant suppliers over the next 10 years?

The constant revision and strengthening of emission regulations will lead to further changes in the energy production network in Europe. The combined heat and power segment is now seeing an increase in “flex mode” operations that affect operating hours and engine load. We are constantly working on solutions to achieve improved oil life as well as increased engine efficiency, resulting in potential fuel savings.

Q: What do you see as the main challenges facing the energy sector?

The biggest challenge facing power generation is meeting the needs of today’s environmentally sustainable energy production. First of all, stricter emission rules for new and existing plants need to be adjusted by 2025, which, combined with local government subsidies, will cause problems for power generation applications.

Another challenge is how the industry is working to meet the increased demand for electricity consumption and the increase in LNG being used in flex mode (known as peak shaving in the UK) across Europe. These changes are combined with reductions in the use of coal, driven by environmental factors, and reductions in the use of nuclear power, driven by both safety and long-term environmental concerns. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are certainly on the rise, but these sources also present challenges in their reliability to be available on demand.

However, there is technology to help deal with these challenges: new energy storage systems help reduce emissions, resulting in lower operating costs and increased engine availability, and new gas engine technology provides a cost-effective solution for increasing grid stability.

OEM-certified Texaco HDAX products are backed by our own experience, robust field testing and backed by detailed value-oriented Texaco Lubewatch oil analysis to ensure they can meet the ever-changing needs of the energy sector.

Chevron

Chevron has a strong heritage with over 100 years of experience in Europe and we sell our lubricants under the Texaco® brand. With advanced technology, Texaco Lubricants delivers performance through a wide range of automotive motor oils, heavy duty diesel truck motor oils, antifreeze, coolants and a wide range of industrial lubricants under the Havoline®, Delo®, HDAX®, VARTECH brands. ® and Techron® brands serving drivers and businesses around the world. To learn more, visit our website at https://www.texacolubricants.com.

For more information contact:

Amy Miller – amiller@torqueagencygroup.com

Belle Moss – bmoss@torqueagencygroup.com