SwRI research consortium to study contaminants’ effects on engine emissions and control systems

28 December 2001

The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) of San Antonio, TX, announced a combined research consortium investigating the potential for common lubricating oils to degrade or poison emissions control systems for diesel and gasoline engines.

The Consortium, titled, “Diesel Aftertreatment Sensitivity to Lubricants (DASL), Non-Thermal Catalyst Deactivation (N-TCD)”, combines two previously separate consortia ideas. These Consortia were combined because of the anticipated similarity of the science of lubricant and catalyst interactions for diesel and gasoline emission control systems.

The DASL portion, first announced in January, 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 and others, will be determined by measuring the deactivation of the emissions control systems as a consequence of oil exposure. The N-TCD portion is a research/mechanistic study designed to explore the mechanisms of emissions control system deactivation as a result of oil exposure.

SwRI is now seeking members to join the consortium. Five members are required to form the consortium, with a target of 10 needed to perform the first year’s work. Cost to join the consortium is $85,000 per member. The consortium is expected to convene for its kick-off meeting in February or March 2002.

For more information, visit the DASL/N-TCD Consortium Web site at www.swri.org/dasl/n-tcd.

Source: SwRI