Fuel efficiency for trunk piston four-stroke diesel engines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (and corresponding method) for reducing fuel consumption in a four-stroke trunk piston diesel engine, the system comprising: a replenishment system connected to receive engine oil from a four-stroke trunk piston diesel engine and to receive replenishment oil, where the replenishment system is configured for mixing the engine oil and the replenishment oil resulting in a mixed oil that is introduced into the engine.

1 . A system for reducing fuel consumption in a four-stroke trunk piston diesel engine, the system comprising: 
 a replenishment system connected to receive and to replenish an engine oil from a four-stroke trunk piston diesel engine and to receive a replenishment oil, where the replenishment system is configured for mixing the engine oil and the replenishment oil resulting in a mixed oil that is introduced into the engine, and wherein the replenishment system comprises a mixing unit for receiving the replenishment oil and the engine oil, and for mixing the replenishment and engine oils according to a predetermined rate to obtain the mixed oil.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the replenishment system is configured for mixing the engine oil and the replenishment oil on a continuous, near-continuous or intermittent basis.  
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the replenishment system is configured for introducing the mixed oil to the engine on a continuous, near-continuous or intermittent basis.  
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rate for mixing the engine oil and the replenishment oil is dependent on at least one measured actual condition of the oil, where the rate of mixing is automatically adjusted in response to the at least one actual condition of the oil.  
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the replenishment oil comprises one or more additives and/or additive packages comprising one or more selected from the group of a Calcium detergent, an alkali metal detergent, an alkali-earth metal detergent, an anti-wear additive, a dispersant, a friction modifier, and anti-oxidants.  
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said engine is used in marine or stationary applications.  
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said engine is used offshore, on-site or in a land based plant.  
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the replenishment oil is selected from the group of: 
 a heavy fuel oil,    bunker oil, and    residual fuel oil.    
   
   
       10 . A method of reducing fuel consumption in a four-stroke trunk piston diesel engine, the method comprising the steps: 
 receiving an engine oil from a four-stroke trunk piston diesel engine and receiving a replenishment oil in a replenishment system,    mixing the engine oil and the replenishment oil by a mixing unit thereby obtaining a mixed oil, wherein the mixing unit receives the replenishment oil and the engine oil and mixes the replenishment and engine oils according to a predetermined rate to obtain the mixed oil; and    introducing the mixed oil to the engine.    
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the replenishment system mixes the engine oil and the replenishment oil on a continuous, near-continuous or intermittent basis.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the replenishment system introduces the mixed oil to the engine on a continuous, near-continuous or intermittent basis.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the rate for mixing the engine oil and the replenishment oil is dependent on at least one measured actual condition of the oil, where the rate of mixing is automatically adjusted in response to the at least one actual condition of the oil.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the replenishment oil comprises one or more additives and/or additive packages comprising one or more selected from the group of a Calcium detergent, an alkali metal detergent, an alkali-earth metal detergent, an anti-wear additive, a dispersant, a friction modifier, and anti-oxidants.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said engine is used in marine or stationary applications.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said engine is used offshore, on-site or in a land based plant.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the replenishment oil is selected from the group of: 
 a heavy fuel oil,    bunker oil, and    residual fuel oil.