princess cruise

Mobilgard™ M50 reduces oil consumption and extends oil change intervals

By adopting an ExxonMobil programme that manages Total Base Number (TBN) levels, Princess Cruises was able to extend oil change intervals and save over 80,000 litres of oil, significantly reducing operating costs across seven ships powered by Wärtsilä 46 engines.

Corrosive wear
Combustion produces acid products that damage an engine. This must be neutralised to offset extensive corrosive wear and can be accomplished by maintaining the engine lubricant’s TBN reserve. By monitoring and managing TBN levels, ship operators can reduce oil consumption and improve their bottom line.

Princess Cruises achieved savings through the use of on-board testing and lab analysis of used oil as part of an ExxonMobil programme that emphasises TBN stabilisation. The programme incorporates a proprietary system, called Lubrisoft, to estimate TBN depletion. The savings it generates are based on a switch from normal consumption to artificial consumption, where oil is added on a regular basis, but oil drain intervals are prolonged. This results in substantial savings in oil used while protecting the engine from corrosive wear.

The programme is particularly effective for customers such as Princess Cruises that use Mobilgard™ M50 engine oil. Mobilgard™ M50 is formulated to provide outstanding residual fuel compatibility characteristics. It is especially effective in promoting engine cleanliness, particularly in crankcase, camshaft areas, ring belt and piston undercrowns.

Mobil Serv℠ Lubricant Analysis
Princess Cruises’ proactive approach to ship maintenance includes the use of our Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis service. This reports TBN levels and provides data on wear metals, viscosity and other measurements, using samples tested on board vessels and in the Mobil Serv laboratory.

Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis includes the Detecting Asphaltene Contamination (DAC) test to monitor a vessel’s medium-speed engine lubricants for residual fuel contamination. The DAC test is used alongside analyses of the oil’s TBN and viscosity to help determine when artificial oil consumption is required.

Benefits to Princess Cruises
To stabilise the oil’s TBN in the Princess Cruises vessels, ExxonMobil recommended an increase in artificial oil consumption of 76 litres a day above current natural consumption.

Without these additions, the oil’s TBN would have reached an excessive level after approximately 4,000 hours, requiring a full sump change. Using artificial, consumption to stabilise the TBN of Mobilgard™ M50 on each of its seven ships, Princess Cruises was able to extend the oil change interval, with overall volume savings of over 81,000 litres in the first year. This equated to significant financial savings, with total lubrication costs falling by more than $100,000.
Find out how we can help optimise your vessel’s performance and reliability by contacting an ExxonMobil Marine Product Solutions representative.

This Proof of Performance is based on the experience of a single customer. Actual results can vary depending upon the type of equipment used and its maintenance, operating conditions and environment, and any prior lubricant used.
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