Solutions to the Engine Failures That Occurred Soon After Galveston Ferry Operations Began Using Texas Low Emissions Diesel Fuel

The research team found that the Galveston Ferry Operations (GFO) engine failures were the result of three factors: 1) the poor ring pack design of these engines, which results in a high oil consumption rate, 2) the high ash content of the re-refined oil that was used in the ferries, and 3) the decreased flame temperature for TxLED relative to 2D on-road diesel. The research team evaluated nine candidate oils as potential replacements for the re-refined oil that GFO was using as a result of a recommendation from a prior project that was conducted at a different university. These oils were evaluated based upon their effects on the oil consumption rate, engine wear, and in-cylinder calcium deposits. All of the candidate oils performed much better than the re-refined oil in all metrics. The research team recommends that GFO begin using Exxon Elite 20W50 in all of its ferries. A hardware solution was also identified. Although the hardware solution is not essential (as the failure problems are solved via use of a different oil), the hardware solution results in significantly decreased oil consumption, and thus is worthwhile.