SwRI launches third year of DASL/N-TCD Consortium

1 March 2004

San Antonio, TX-based Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) will start the third year of the DASL/N-TCD research consortium, beginning 18 March 2004. The program will examine the lubricant effects on SCR (selective catalytic reduction) catalysts.

The Diesel Aftertreatment Sensitivity to Lubricants (DASL), Non-Thermal Catalyst Deactivation (N-TCD) consortium was formed in 2002 to study lubricating oil effects on 2007 to 2010 diesel emissions control systems. The consortium applies the science of lubricant and catalyst interactions to improve diesel emissions control systems.

DASL 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 are determined by measuring the deactivation of the emissions control systems as a consequence of oil exposure. N-TCD is a research study of oil-derived poisoning mechanisms.

The second year of the program is nearing completion. During the first two years of the consortium, DASL/N-TCD members studied lubricant effects on catalyzed and CRT diesel particulate filters.

The consortium requires a minimum of five members; the actual number of members defines the scope of the work to be performed. Contracts are renewable on a yearly basis. New members can join the third year of the consortium for $85,000.

Source: SwRI