A specialist in the development of engine oils has won an award for his work.

Dr Rai Singh Notay, product development engineer at Brighouse-based Millers Oils, secured first prize in the Communication in Engineering competition run by the Yorkshire automotive division of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for his experimental research into lubrication degradation.

Notay, who wrote his paper as part of a PhD, explored how oil degradation and flow around engine components can be affected by new automotive technology trends such as start-stop systems and downsizing.

He said: “I am honoured to receive this prestigious award from the IMechE and am pleased that the need to develop oil alongside automotive technology is being recognised by the industry,

“Working for Millers Oils allows me to continue researching into how oil technology needs to progress and help develop the products needed to enable new component technologies for vehicle manufacturers.”

The paper looks at how the automotive industry focuses on improvements to fuel economy and reductions in harmful exhaust emissions, but may have forgotten how modern technology affects engine oils.

Notay used an experimental method to examine lubricant flow within the engine, predominantly around the piston ring area, and looked at how modern technologies can affect this along with oil degradation.

He discovered that the piston pack residence time had important implications for lubricant degradation as well as ring pack film thickness, friction and wear.

Millers Oils joint managing director Nevill Hall said: “At Millers Oils, we believe in putting oil back on the map and strive to develop innovative oil technologies that not only provide benefits to consumers but also enable advances in automotive technology,

“Dr Notay’s ongoing work makes him an excellent addition to our development team as he has a true understanding of how automotive and oil technology developers need to work together to optimise the evolution of engine design.”

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