On CAT 3512 & 3516 natural gas engines I'm seeing what looks like a direct relationship between potassium contamination and nitration in UOA. Obviously the potassium shouldn't be in the oil. Since there is no water, glycol, or sodium, I think it is coming in the fuel.
My theory is that the natural gas is being dried with a potassium compound in glycol, but not completely removed before sending the gas along the pipeline.
On the samples with high potassium there is high nitration. No potassium, low nitration. But I can't find any articles to support this theory, nor am I a chemist to understand the effect of potassium on the nitration process.
Any thoughts? resources?
My theory is that the natural gas is being dried with a potassium compound in glycol, but not completely removed before sending the gas along the pipeline.
On the samples with high potassium there is high nitration. No potassium, low nitration. But I can't find any articles to support this theory, nor am I a chemist to understand the effect of potassium on the nitration process.
Any thoughts? resources?