SwRI Consortium DASL/N-TCD Begins Study of Contaminants' Effects On Diesel and Gasoline Emissions

    SAN ANTONIO--March 27, 2002--Southwest Research Institute(tm) (SwRI(tm)) announces the start of a research consortium aimed at investigating the potential for common lubricating oils to degrade or poison emissions control systems for diesel and gasoline engines.
    The "Diesel Aftertreatment Sensitivity to Lubricants (DASL), Non-Thermal Catalyst Deactivation (N-TCD)" consortium combines the science of lubricant and catalyst interactions for diesel and gasoline emissions control systems.
    "Both diesel and gasoline systems will benefit from the research performed under the consortium through our ability to perform studies in an effective manner," said Bruce Bykowski, assistant director of the SwRI Department of Emissions Research. "The cost-sharing attribute of the consortium allows many projects to be performed at a fraction of the normal cost."
    The DASL portion is a parametric or cause and effect study designed to expose various diesel emissions control systems to oil combustion byproducts. The effects of lubricating oil components, such as sulfur, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, boron, and others, will be determined by measuring the deactivation of the emissions control systems as a consequence of oil exposure.
    In contrast, the N-TCD portion is a research/mechanistic study intended to explore the mechanisms of emissions control system deactivation as a result of oil exposure.
    The format of the DASL/N-TCD consortium is structured with maximum flexibility to perform both kinds of projects, independently or in concert with each other, in the most cost-effective and timely manner.
    The DASL/N-TCD Consortium does not intend to duplicate work from other programs, but to perform work that is precompetitive and complementary to those programs. A Project Advisory Committee will determine what work is needed to help members develop and refine their products.
    The initial five members have now contracted to form the consortium, with a target of 10 preferred to perform the first years work. "We expect 10 to 15 companies to join in the first year," Bykowski said.
    The first five members of the Consortium are Caterpillar, Infineum, ExxonMobil, Chevron Oronite and Lubrizol.
    Additional members can join the consortium for $85,000 a year. For more information, visit the DASL/N-TCD Consortium Web site at www.swri.org/dasl/n-tcd.
    For more information contact Bruce Bykowski, assistant director, Emissions Research Department, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas, 78228-0510, Phone 210/522-2937, fax 210/522-3950, or e-mail at bbykowski@swri.org.
    SwRI is an independent, nonprofit, applied research and development organization based in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 2,700 employees and an annual research volume of $319 million.