At a time when we have failed to control the rise of temperature within the desired two degrees Celsius and the leaders of the world are congregating in Paris to chalk out the roadmap to tackle climate change, there comes a pleasant development from the stable of Federal-Mogul. The company has developed a piston ring technology called eWAVE that can reduce carbon emissions in marine operations and can also reduce operating costs.
Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation’s power train division in Germany has been conducting sea trials testing its new eWAVE rings that can reduce the amount of oil and lubricants needed in two stroke diesel engines. The rings will also reduce the loss of unused and used fuel, thus reducing the operating costs and cutting down on carbon emissions.
This is the first ring of its kind that allows the oil to be evenly distributed at its bore. In effect, the piston is more efficient. Conventional designs of rings don’t allow for even distribution of oil at the bore, which compels operators to pump in more lubricants and oil to ensure that the bores get enough to overcome the friction and can facilitate the smooth functioning of the piston. This excess oil that is pumped into the pistons is a massive waste. Up to 40% of the total oil pumped into the pistons is actually lost. The oil just seeps through and this leads to marine pollution, excessive loss of oil and adds to the carbon footprint of marine operations.
The patented surface topography that the new eWAVE® rings feature can disperse oil around the bore in a homogeneous layer. Thus, it can protect against local oil film breakdown, it would improve the sealing of combustion gases, the regular wearing out will be greatly reduced and there would be temperature uniformity inside the liners.
The technology solves the longstanding problem in two stroke diesel engines of the pistons being unable to have oil distributed circumferentially at the bores. According to an official press release, the new rings can save 30% of the total oil being used today that is completely wasted. The rings have been tested for over eight thousand hours and they have reduced wear resistance by 20%, which is again a saving in operating costs. The technology is compatible with various kinds of engine strokes and can function at different operating speeds.