Patent ID: 7402800
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: G01M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for the continuous determination of the damage to at least one system for post-treatment of the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine caused by the lubricating oil, the fuel and/or at least one lubricating oil additive and/or fuel additive used, wherein: (i) a determined quantity of at least one radiotracer is used to modify the lubricating oil, the fuel and/or the additive for which the impact on the post-treatment system is to be measured; (ii) a measurement is taken of the quantity of radiotracer originating from the exhaust gases which has accumulated in the post-treatment system, this measurement being taken using a detector which is sensitive to radiation emitted by the radiotracer that has accumulated in the post-treatment system and wherein the detector is placed adjacent to the system to allow a continuous measurement of the emitted radiation while the engine is in use; (iii) the measurements taken by this detector are transmitted to a programmed computer which can convert these measurements into the degree of damage caused to the post-treatment system by the lubricating oil, the fuel and/or the additive(s).