The object of research is marine diesel engine oils, which provide lubrication, cooling and separation of friction surfaces. The subject of the research is the process of ensuring minimum mechanical losses in marine diesel engines. A problematic point in ensuring the lubrication of the cylinder-piston group and motion bearings is the lack of analytical and experimental studies that establish the relationship between the structural characteristics of engine oils and mechanical losses arising in marine internal combustion engines. The degree of orientational ordering of molecules and the thickness of the boundary lubricating layer are considered as the structural characteristics of engine oils. The determination of these values was carried out using the optical method based on the anisotropy of the light absorption coefficient by the boundary lubricant layer and the isotropic volume of the liquid (engine oil). The assessment of the level of mechanical losses arising in marine diesel engines was carried out according to an indirect indicator – the overshoot of the rotational speed and the time to reach the steady state of operation in the event of a change in load. It has been experimentally established that for engine oils used in marine internal combustion engines, the thickness of the boundary layer can be 15–17.5 µm. Motor oils, which are characterized by a higher ordering of molecules and a thickness of the boundary lubricant layer, ensure the flow of transient dynamic processes with less overshoot and a shorter transient time. This ensures the level of minimal mechanical losses occurring in marine diesel engines. The technology for determining the structural characteristics of engine oils can be used for any type and grade of oil (mineral or synthetic; high or low viscosity; used in both circulating and cylinder lubrication systems). The method of indirect assessment of mechanical losses of marine diesel engines can be used for any types of internal combustion engines of ships of sea and river transport (low-, medium- and high-speed; as well as performing the functions of both main and auxiliary engines).

In this study, a method for ensuring reliable and safe operation of marine trunk diesel engines is considered. The research was carried out on 5L23/30 MAN-B&W diesel engines of a Bulk Carrier class vessel. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the structural characteristics of the oil layer (wetting angle and thickness) on the operational parameters of a marine diesel engine (compression pressure, concentration of nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases and temperature of exhaust gases after the cylinder) and performance characteristics of the oil (base number, wear and contaminant elements). It has been established that an increase in the degree of the contact angles of wetting and in the thickness of the oil layer improves the heat and power and environmental performance of a diesel engine. At the same time, the decrease in compression pressure in the cylinder slows down, the temperature of gases after the cylinder decreases, and the emission of nitrogen oxides with exhaust gases decreases. Also, it was found that wear of diesel parts and oil oxidation are reduced. The study confirms the possibility of improving the reliable and safe operation of trunk-type diesel engines of maritime vessels by effective control of variables relating to the characteristics of engine oil.

The results of the research work on biofuel’s impact on the environmental and economic performance of marine diesel engines are presented. During the research, a fuel mixture was used that consisted of the diesel fuel RMA10 and FAME biofuel. The objective of the research was to determine the optimal concentration of biofuel mixed with diesel fuel. The research work was carried out on three of the same type of marine medium-speed diesel engine, 6N165LW Yanmar. One of the diesel engines only operated on diesel fuel, and the other two operated on a mixture of diesel fuel and 5–20% biofuel. During the experiment, the diesel engines operated at a load of 50–80% of the rated value. Experimentally, it was found that using biofuel improved the environmental friendliness of diesel engines: the emission of nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases was reduced by 8.7–23.4%, and the emission of carbon oxides in exhaust gases was reduced by 3.1–24%. However, when using biofuel, the economic efficiency of diesel operation decreased as the specific effective fuel consumption increased by 0.5–9.3%. The highest environmental efficiency was achieved when using a fuel mixture that included 10–15% biofuel in an 80% diesel load. In this case, the emission of nitrogen oxides was reduced by 21–23.5%, the emission of carbon oxides was reduced by 16.5–19.2%, and the magnification of the specific useful consumption of the diesel engine was 1–1.55%.

The object of research is the process of lubrication of marine trunk diesel engines. The subject of research is marine diesel engine oils, which provide lubrication, cooling and separation of friction surfaces. The analysis of the operation of marine diesel engines using motor oils with different structural characteristics is carried out. The studies are carried out on Yanmar 6EY18AL diesel engines of a Multipurpose Vessel class ship with deadweight of 27540 tons. The objective of research is to determine the effect of the structural characteristics of the oil layer (contact angle and thickness) on the performance parameters of a marine diesel engine and the performance characteristics of the oil used in its circulating lubrication system. At the same time, the compression pressure, the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases, and the temperature of the exhaust gases after the cylinder are considered as the operating parameters of the diesel engine; as performance characteristics of the oil – its Base Number, as well as its Wear and Contaminant Elements. The studies are carried out on two diesel engines of the same type, in the circulating lubrication system of which oils with different structural characteristics were used. Structural characteristics of the oil layer were determined by ellipsometry. The operational characteristics of the diesel engine – using the Doctor diagnostic system. Oil performance – by spectrographic analysis. It has been established that an increase in the contact angles of wetting and the thickness of the oil layer improves the heat and power and environmental performance of a diesel engine. At the same time (for the period of operation of diesel engines 500–1000 hours), the decrease in compression pressure in the cylinder slows down, the temperature of gases after the cylinder decreases, and the emission of nitrogen oxides with exhaust gases decreases. In addition, the wear of diesel parts and oil oxidation are reduced. The information obtained in the course of the study on the structural characteristics of motor oils will provide the possibility of their selection and further use of those that will contribute to a better maintenance of the operational performance of marine diesel engines.