Clean-burning natural gas engines provide a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to other hydrocarbon power options. For more than 60 years, we’ve maintained a reputation as an industry leader in natural gas engine oil (NGEO) additive solutions. Our additive solutions maximize productivity and cost-effective operations by preserving the reliability and operating efficiency of natural gas engines in remote locations where high performance is critical.

developing new technology for new engine designs

One example of Oronite’s commitment to being a leader in the development of natural gas engine oils is our extensive effort to develop innovative additive solutions to help address the challenges inherent in modern steel piston engine designs. Leading stationary natural gas engine manufacturers are seeking improvements in mechanical efficiency through the use of dual-stage turbo chargers, boosting brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) by using steel pistons and resetting the ring pack higher on the piston. During normal engine operation these new engines run at higher pressures and temperatures which can present challenges for the current generation of lubricant additives, such as increased piston groove deposits and reduced oil life.

Through extensive R&D efforts, including working with key OEMs, Oronite has developed new additive solutions to address the challenges inherent in these new engines. Improvements in the thermal stability and detergency of these additive packages allows the lubricant to withstand the higher temperatures, thus leading to reduced piston deposits and increased oil life. Having demonstrated the intended performance in recent field tests, Oronite is ready to discuss how our latest technology can be incorporated into finished lubricants designed for steel piston engine applications.

OLOA® 46600

OLOA 46600 is a high-performance additive that has been developed specifically for landfill, biomass and digester gas operations. It has received positive market feedback from OEMs, customers and end users, even when tested in highly-loaded, late-model engines operating in severe landfill operations. OLOA® 46600 has demonstrated increased drain intervals when tested against competitive offerings, while reducing piston and combustion chamber deposits comparted to traditional landfill gas engine oils.

Gas engines working with renewable sources are very difficult to lubricate because the gases differ in composition depending on whether they are produced from sewage, agricultural waste or sawmills. Also, biogas and landfill gases are essentially composed of methane and contain a lot of impurities that can harm gas engines. Oronite was the first to develop a product for the specific needs of landfill and other renewable gas engines.

OEM approvals

OLOA 46600 is approved by GE® Jenbacher for type two, three, four and six engines operating on landfill gas (Class C) or biogas (Class B) using Group II base oil. After undergoing more than 30,000 hours of rigorous testing, GE Jenbacher found that every one of the used oil analyses met its rigorous standards. OLOA 46600 is also approved by MAN for M3271-4 & M3271-5 engines using sewage gas, biogas, wood gas or landfill gas as fuels.

mobile natural gas engine oils

Mobile natural gas use is growing rapidly in many markets as it produces less greenhouse gases than conventional diesel fuel use and natural gas engines do not produce any particulate emissions. Natural gas engines place unique demands on engine oils and require special formulations. Oronite is the global leader in both stationary and mobile natural gas engine oil (MNGEO) additive technology.

Properly formulated natural gas engine oils must withstand the high temperatures of natural gas combustion while at the same time not contributing to combustion chamber deposits, spark plug fouling, or exhaust valve torching. Unlike diesel engines, natural gas engine oils do not need to contain high levels of dispersants as no soot is created during natural gas combustion.

Due to a lower carbon to hydrogen ratio in natural gas relative to mineral diesel fuel, natural gas engine oils must also be able to handle the higher level of water that is created during natural gas combustion. There are significant differences in properly formulated natural gas, passenger car, and heavy duty diesel engine oils.

OLOA® 45500 additive package

Mobile natural gas engines can benefit from oils that are designed to meet specific performance requirements, such as higher oxidation, higher corrosion and spark plug fouling and valve recession. Oronite has solutions to meet these needs. OLOA 45500 is a dedicated MNGEO product that enhances engine protection for strong performance.

OLOA 45500 is another example of how Oronite is maintaining its technology leadership and continuously innovating to deliver the next generation additive for tomorrow. This product was developed in anticipation of an increasing demand for natural gas engines, new engine technology and the desire for extended drain intervals by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and fleet owners.