Petroleum Products Research Department
Gerry A. Estrada, Director, (210) 522-3006
Robert Legg, Manager, (210) 522-3797
Fuels Analysis Laboratory
Michelle
Ratchford,
Manager, (210) 522-2986
Fuel Conformance
Ken Jacks,
Manager, (210) 522-2989
Lubricant Analysis Laboratory
The Petroleum Products Research Department provides analytical and physical testing required by clients and other SwRI departments to evaluate and qualify all fuels, lubricants, and functional fluids. Specification tests are performed on gasolines, diesel fuels, synthetic or exotic fuels, crankcase oils, automatic transmission fluids, coolants, and greases, among others. In addition to standard tests such as ASTM, UOP, SAE, etc., a number of independent programs support clients' efforts to characterize or evaluate a broad range of petroleum and automotive products. Programs specifically designed by clients to satisfy their needs or requirements are provided in a timely, professional manner. In addition, SwRI offers innovative approaches or tailored research programs to solve unique or unusual problems. The department welcomes confidential inquiries and discussions with clients who want to address specific problems, to evaluate products, or to improve product performance. Among the many services provided by the department are the following:
Fuel, Lubricant, and Fluid Inspection
ASTM procedures determine the chemical and physical properties of gasoline, aviation, bio-diesel, and middle distillate fuels; engine crankcase lubricants, hydraulic fluids, automatic transmission fluids, gear oils, greases, and coolants.
Metals Analyses
ICP, energy- and wave-length dispersive X-ray, and other techniques are used to determine wear metals in used oils, transmission fluids, and turbine oils; additive metals in new oils, including transmission fluids, gear oils, turbine fluids, coolants, and greases; metals in gasoline, diesel fuel oil, and jet fuel, including phosphorus; military certification for additives in engine oil; metals in captured exhaust particulate samples and engine deposits; metals in crude oils; and sulfur, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen in gasoline, diesel fuel, crude oil, etc.
Fuel Surveys / Field Studies
The Institute performs national fuel and lubricant quality assurance surveys to: determine the variation in physical and chemical properties of gasoline and diesel fuels at terminals, refineries, and retail outlets of major petroleum marketers throughout the United States; and surveys to procure and analyze the quality of engine lubricants and transmission fluids as blended, branded, and marketed.
Trace Organic Analysis
PPRD performs analysis for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, (PAH), nitro-PAH, and other organic species in fuels, oils, or emission samples.
Performance Testing
Oil filters are evaluated using the SAE H5806 test procedure, which involves systems tests for resistance to flow, filter capacity, contaminant removal characteristics, and single-pass particle retention; and associated test sequences for media migration, collapse test, and hydrostatic burst.
Laboratory Engine Technology
SwRI uses various evaluations and studies utilizing special engine and bench protocols to evaluate carburetor, fuel injector, and intake-valve deposit-forming tendencies of gasolines; to determine Research Octane Number (RON), Motor Octane Number (MON), and Cetane Number (CN); and to train research specialists in research, motor, and cetane engine use, covering fundamental fuel testing concepts and detailed engine component coverage with reference to function, service requirements, and overhauls.
SwRI-Developed Instruments
The Institute has developed specialized test procedures and instruments for fuel and lubricant research, such as an Intake Valve Deposit Apparatus (IVDA) to predict the deposit-forming characteristics of a gasoline or gasoline and detergent additive blend, if it were evaluated in a full-scale engine; a CRC Port Fuel Injector (PFI) Test Apparatus to evaluate the fouling tendencies of gasolines and the effectiveness of additives; a Gear Oil Scuff Test (GOST) Apparatus, which accurately predicts the load-carrying characteristics of a test lubricant as measured by either the Ryder of FZG load stage gear tests; and an Induction System Deposit (ISD) apparatus to measure intake valve deposits associated with
gasolines.
Petroleum Products Research
A variety of performance and research services are available to help develop automotive chemicals, such as hydraulic fluids, synthetic oils and fluids, coolants and cleaners, greases and grease additives, fuel additives, lubricant additives, gear oil additives, and low-friction oils.
Used Lubricant Field Studies
A full complement of ASTM procedures is available to evaluate lubricant and coolant performance for in-service engines and vehicles, and maintenance programs to prevent catastrophic engine failure.
Procedural Development
New or novel analytical procedures or in-service performance simulations can be arranged using analytical methods, bench testing, and lubricity, friction, and wear testing.
Trend Analysis
SwRI evaluates fleet and motor pool oil to assure timely oil changes and to determine the performance of new formulations, as well as evaluation of industrial lubricants for changes in condition for maintenance purposes.
Corrosion Testing
The ASTM D 1384 Glassware Corrosion Test is a simple beaker-type 336-hour screener test (run in triplicate) and evaluates the corrosion-inhibition characteristics of coolants for six different metals used in automotive cooling systems.
ASTM D 4340 Aluminum Corrosion Test
This laboratory procedure evaluates how effectively engine coolants combat corrosion of aluminum casting alloys under heat transfer conditions found in aluminum cylinder head engines. Test results are based on the weight loss of an aluminum disc, following 168 hours in a 25-percent antifreeze solution at 275ºF.
ASTM D 2570 Simulated Service Test
This 1,064-hour test evaluates how circulating engine coolants affect metal test specimens and automotive cooling system components under controlled, essentially isothermal, laboratory conditions.
ASTM D 2809 Cavitation Erosion-Corrosion Test
This 100-hour test evaluates how well engine coolants protect aluminum water pumps under conditions of high pump speeds and operating temperatures and a partially restricted flow, which causes cavitation.
Oil and Fluid Evaluations
Laboratory ASTM, FTM, UOP, etc. tests for lubricants and functional fluids include:
Engine Oils:
Oxidation, varnish formation, dispersancy, detergency, thermal stability, rust, corrosion, shear stability, foam, and miscibility and compatibility
Gear Oils:
Oxidation, thermal stability, rust, copper corrosion, seal degradation, extreme pressure and wear, coefficient of friction, foam and miscibility and compatibility
Transmission Fluids:
Oxidation, rust, copper corrosion, shear stability, seal degradation, coefficient of friction, foam, miscibility and compatibility, and low-temperature viscosities
Industrial Oils:
Thermal stability, rust, extreme pressure, wear, foam, miscibility and compatibility, and evaporation losses
Engine Coolants:
Antifreeze glassware corrosion, aluminum corrosion, antifreeze effect on automotive finishes, boiling point of antifreeze, foaming tendency of antifreeze, freezing point of antifreeze, pH of antifreeze, reserve alkalinity of antifreeze, water content of antifreeze, simulated service test, cavitation test, ash content, and specific gravity