Engine Oils for Landfill Service: Requirements and Proof of Performance

This paper presents the results of a field test comparing four engine oil formulations in commercial landfill service for 16 months. The major differences among the oils were combustion chamber deposit control and oil consumption control, whose mechanism is likely to be control of liner deposits. Control of these deposits led to extension of the time between top-end overhauls. Control of used oil parameters, such as acid and base numbers, was achieved, allowing extended oil drain intervals. The requirements for engine oils in reciprocating internal combustion engines in landfill service will be reviewed briefly. The development of a new generation of engine oils for landfill service will be presented, including deployment of detergent chemistry previously unused in this application. The theoretical justification and preliminary screener testing of this chemistry justified the full scale field testing which is shown. This chemistry has since been commercialized by several oil companies. The operational benefits of engine oils specifically designed for this service will be discussed.