Sidney J. Lestz

Survey of Low Sulfur Diesel Fuels and Aviation Kerosenes from U.S. Military Installations

Abstract : In support of the Department of Defense goal to streamline procurements, the Army recently decided to discontinue use of VV-F-800D as the purchase specification for diesel fuel being supplied to continental United States military installations. The Army will instead issue a commercial item description for direct fuel deliveries under the Post/Camp/Station (PCS) contract bulletin program. In parallel, the Defense Fuel Supply Center (DFSC) and the U.S. Army Mobility Technology Center-Belvoir (MTCB at Ft Belvoir, VA) initiated a fuel survey to assess the general quality and lubricity characteristics of low sulfur diesel fuels being supplied to military installations under the PCS system. Under this project, diesel fuel delivery samples were obtained from selected military installations and analyzed according to a predetermined protocol. The results obtained from various tests show that the average, low-sulfur diesel fuel meets military requirements for DF-2 with the exception of lubricity performance. Proposed fuel lubricity requirements for military, ground-vehicle, diesel fuels are presented.

Laboratory Evaluation of Army Multiviscosity Grade Tactical Engine Oils

Several multiviscosity grade oils were subjected to a special 240-hour endurance test procedure in an Army high-output two-cycle diesel engine, and certain of the oils were laboratory tested in the Armys multifuel, four-cycle compression ignition engine and in the Armys air-cooled four-cycle diesel tank engine. Certain of the lubricants were also subjected to standard hydraulic/power transmission tests because acceptable power transmission performance will now be a formal requirement in the D-revision to the engine lubricant specification MIL-L-2104. Parallel to these laboratory evaluations, pilot field tests were conducted in combat/tactical vehicles (engines and power shift transmissions) at three Army bases. The limited field tests indicated that the use of arctic/conventional multiviscosity grade lubricants at ambient temperatures up to 38 deg C (100 deg F) may be possible, and their introduction under MIL-L-2104 should be pursued. Laboratory test results produced a suitable two-cycle diesel engine lubricants qualification test, and showed that SAE 15W-40 grade oils are acceptable for use in Army diesel-powered combat/tactical engine and power transmission fluid systems. Areas for continued lubricant development are outlined.