Lubricant addresses cylinder corrosion issues

Cyltech CL 100 ACC will be available to the market in May 2014. ACC demotes ‘advanced corrosion control’ and the 100BN cylinder oil, intended for the latest generation of long-stroke engines. The company says that the new addition to its portfolio has been developed after rigorous testing and trials drawing on its early identification of corrosion in the latest engine types when running on higher sulphur content fuels at part load.

Castrol adds that it is confident that Cyltech 100 ACC is the right oil for such applications, based on significant wear reductions seen with this new technology compared to its previous generation lubricants.

“Castrol Cyltech CL 100 ACC is not simply an existing oil that has been up-treated to give a higher BN,” said Jonathan Hutchinson, Castrol Marine marketing director. “It is based on a new chemistry that we have been developing over the past two to three years to reflect technical challenges set by modern super long stroke engines. These operate at higher pressures causing higher dew points and increased sulphuric acid formation, which in turn can result in severe corrosive wear, particularly where higher sulphur fuels are used and the engine is operated at lower loads. Acid neutralisation has proved critical in part load conditions when using high sulphur fuels. Cyltech CL 100 ACC includes a pioneering technology formulated to deliver advanced corrosion control. This ACC technology contains innovative surface acting agents, protecting cylinder liner surfaces more effectively and longer than our previous generation cylinder lubricants.”

For several years, Castrol says it has been gathering evidence of cold corrosion where mid-range BN cylinder oils have been selected for slow steaming as a single solution for HFO across a full range of sulphur content and has been a lone voice in advocating the use of higher BN. Progressively restrictive ‘no objection’ circulars from MAN Diesel & Turbo and Wӓrtsilӓ on mid-range oils have validated Castrol’s position. High profile owners have reported cold corrosion in operational large bore engines after adopting mid-range cylinder oils, which was only rectified following replacement by Castrol Cyltech 80 AW, Castrol’s current higher BN lubricant.

“Revised OEM customer guidance and customer experiences have moved the new engine market decisively in favour of higher BN cylinder oils which Castrol had been promoting for the past two years,” said Mr Hutchinson. “Our ACC technology represents a further commitment by us to help ensure safe, fuel efficient engine operation in the slow steaming era, using products that are proven to help reduce maintenance costs and lengthen equipment life.”