INNIO Group's Collaboration with ExxonMobil helps customers reach new performance levels - today and tomorrow
Engine OEMs and lubrication companies must respond rapidly and flexibly to the changes brought about by the energy transition. Already providing oils that reduce maintenance costs, oil consumption, and human–machine exposure1, INNIO Group and ExxonMobil now are working on a high-performance engine oil for more controlled hydrogen combustion at higher loads.
As innovative engines operate at increasing pressures and temperatures with lower oil consumption, traditional engine oils often suffer, reducing oil drain intervals, uptime, and power output. As a result, the Jenbacher experts knew it needed more advanced lubricants formulated to meet the challenge of today’s high-output engines while facilitating longer oil drain intervals. In 2020, INNIO Group began a long-term collaboration with ExxonMobil for the Jenbacher Type 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9 engines. The two co-developed a range of high-performance lubrication solutions that help customers improve their operational reliability, productivity, profitability, and sustainability.2
The first co-engineered gas engine oil between INNIO Group and ExxonMobil was Jenbacher N Oil 40, a high-performance, long-life lubricant. The latest operational data from the Jenbacher engine fleet demonstrates this oil’s advanced performance, with more than 8 million hours of operation, and proves its ability to extend oil drain intervals by as much as two times. In an early adopter engine, where the oil was in use for more than 42,000 hours, oil drain intervals of up to 7,700 hours were achieved.3 This technology allows operators to rely on extended oil-condemning limits without compromising the protection of highly stressed engine parts, helping to reduce total life-cycle costs by up to 30%.4
Preparing for the future
The collaboration between INNIO Group’s Jenbacher team and ExxonMobil has always been driven by a shared desire to innovate. As the Jenbacher team works on new technologies to empower communities and industries on their way to net zero, this collaboration has expanded to include solutions for hydrogen engines. That’s because Jenbacher engines have the potential to operate on a broad range of energy sources, from pipeline gas to hydrogen. However, due to hydrogen’s different combustion properties – including a wider flammability range and lower ignition energy – it requires tailored lubrication solutions.
As a result, ExxonMobil and INNIO Group have co-developed a new high-performance engine oil to enable optimized hydrogen combustion at higher loads. This technology has been through a dedicated lubricant screener test on several Jenbacher single cylinder and multi-cylinder engines, and the lubricant technology platform has proven to meet the performance requirements of current and next-generation Jenbacher high-power output engines, including hydrogen engines. The companies recently conducted a joint research and development program with the Large Engines Competence Center (LEC). The group’s findings were summarized in a paper – “Development of lubricants for hydrogen-fueled large engine power plants” – which was presented at the 2023 CIMAC Congress in South Korea in June 2023.
For more information, please visit our Jenbacher N Oil 40 page.
1Results may vary, depending upon the type of equipment used and its maintenance, operating conditions, and environment, and any prior lubricant used.
2Results may vary, depending upon the type of equipment used and its maintenance, operating conditions, and environment, and any prior lubricant used.
3Refers to a Jenbacher J612 F engine and is based on the experience of a single customer. Actual results can vary depending upon the type of equipment used and its maintenance, operating conditions and environment, and any prior lubricant used. Extended used oil life is based on normal use of the product, as described in the technical instructions from INNIO.
4Based on the experience of multiple customers during field validation. Actual results can vary depending upon the type of equipment used and its maintenance, operating conditions and environment, and any prior lubricant used. Extended used oil life is based on normal use of the product, as described in the technical instructions from INNIO Group.
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