Slippery Secrets: The hidden science of oil

[JPP]

Here is a link to a Chemist lecturing about car oil and energy and other assorted things.
You might find it quite interesting. I did not watch all 90 min but skipped around to listen
to the things I wanted to learn about.
It is called Slippery Secrets: The hidden science within the life-blood of your car
If this is not posted in the correct forum please feel free to move it.

The reaction.net

JP

 

[JPP]

Has anyone had time to watch all or most of this presentation?
Just wondering if it is educational for the folks here or if it is just a lot of info everyone already knew.

JP

 

[CATERHAM]

Dr. Ian Bell certainly knows his stuff.
The lecture itself by it's very nature was very general in scope that most of us would not find too much that he touched on that we didn't already know, but the question and answer bit at the end got into some specifics.

I found the explanation of why detergents (Ca and Mg) which are soft, don't effectively compete with the AW additives in oils. to be enlightening.

 

[Solarent]

If you want to learn more about how chemistry for Engine oils are developed, I would recommend watching the full 90 mins. I found it to be a good review of the overall approach that the big additive suppliers - Afton, Lubrizol, Evonik etc - are following.

I also really thought it was interesting how he explained that different chemistry will behave differently in engine designs and operating conditions. This would explain why Mobil 1 (I am just using that for illustrative purposes) may perform differently for one of us in Canada vs in the USA or Europe, or in the BMW vs the Kia.

That means there is probably chemistry out there that would be your perfect oil (specific to your vehicle or your conditions) the trick is just finding out what that is.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: Solarent

I also really thought it was interesting how he explained that different chemistry will behave differently in engine designs and operating conditions. This would explain why Mobil 1 (I am just using that for illustrative purposes) may perform differently for one of us in Canada vs in the USA or Europe, or in the BMW vs the Kia.

That means there is probably chemistry out there that would be your perfect oil (specific to your vehicle or your conditions) the trick is just finding out what that is.

He also mentioned that a 1% fuel economy difference is a big deal to an OEM but obviously not so much to the consumer of one of their vehicles where outside of a lab it would not be measurable anyway.