Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) partnered with ExxonMobil to study next generation marine lubricants using a one-of-a-kind experimental engine. Located at the Department of Energy’s National Transportation Research Center at ORNL’s Hardin Valley Campus, the Enterprise is a flexible-fuel, single-cylinder marine diesel engine custom-built to one-tenth scale by Dumarey. Standing 12 feet tall, weighing over 16,000 pounds, and running at 625 revolutions per minute, the test-engine matches full-scale piston speeds to evaluate lubricants in real-world conditions.
Why it matters
Additional low-cost, domestic fuel options are important to the U.S. marine industry’s global competitiveness. ORNL’s controlled engine experiments fill the gap between laboratory-scale testing and full-scale marine operations, providing essential data to develop lubricants that maintain or improve performance while operating with new fuel sources.
Real-world impact
ORNL’s research isolates the effects of lubricants on engine performance under controlled conditions, free from variables like weather, cargo loads, or temperature fluctuations.
Key findings include:
- Improved fuel efficiency with optimized lubricants
- Enhanced engine durability, including reduced wear and corrosion
- Effective performance with low-sulfur fuels
The benefits:
- Supports ExxonMobil’s EMF.5 low-sulfur fuel program
- Advances development of next-generation marine lubricants
- Helps the U.S. marine industry remain globally competitive
The innovation
The Enterprise engine allows researchers to run extended, repeatable experiments in a controlled environment, directly linking lubricant performance to engine efficiency and durability. This integrated testing approach accelerates development of lubricants that protect engines, improve fuel economy, and maintain power under alternative fuel conditions.
Backed by science
ORNL researchers continuously monitor engine performance, collecting critical data to guide ExxonMobil’s lubricant design. The work bridges laboratory research and real-world marine engine applications, supporting global efforts to find additional fuels for the shipping industry.
Deep dive
Read more about how ORNL’s experimental engine research provides insight and supports fuel development.
The big picture
Through cutting-edge experimentation and industry collaboration, ORNL is helping the marine sector add new domestic fuel sources while maintaining engine performance and reliability. This work demonstrates the power of laboratory innovation to solve energy challenges.
