Experimental characterization of contaminants in engine lubricants using surface plasmon resonance sensing

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop new knowledge in experimental characterization of contaminants in engine lubricants, using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing that can be applicable for on‐line condition monitoring of lubricant quality and engine component performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of change in optical properties (e.g. transparency, absorption, and refractive index) of engine lubricants caused by the introduction of contaminants, such as gasoline, coolant, and water, on the surface plasmon resonance characteristics is analyzed experimentally. In SPR measurement, variations in both the refractive index and absorption cause changes in the SPR curve, which is the dependence of reflectivity vs incidence angle. The SPR characteristics (e.g. refractivity) of engine lubricant contaminated by gasoline, water and coolant at different concentration are measured as a function of resonance angle and analyzed with respect to different concentration (1%‐10%) of contaminants. Also, pattern recognition analysis between fresh and used engine lubricants is performed, to show applicability of Bayesian classification methodology for on‐line monitoring and predicting engine lubricant condition.

Findings

It was shown experimentally that attenuation of surface plasmons due to introduction of contaminants to the engine lubricant leads to a noticeable change in resonance angle and reflectivity minimum of the SPR curve due to an increase in the dielectric permittivity. In addition, the changes in the SPR characteristics were observed between fresh and used engine lubricant, causing resonance angle and reflectivity minimum of the SPR curve to shift.

Practical implications

The knowledge generated in this study lays the informational basis to further develop an on‐line system for engine lubricant condition monitoring using miniaturized SPR sensors fully suitable for on board applications.

Originality/value

SPR characterization is originally applied for analysis of optical properties of engine lubricants caused by the introduction of contaminants, such as gasoline, coolant, and water.

Citation

Aghayan, H.R., Bordatchev, E.V. and Yang, J. (2013), "Experimental characterization of contaminants in engine lubricants using surface plasmon resonance sensing", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 65 No. 1, pp. 61-68. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368791311292828