Fuel Systems & Contamination Research
The Fuel Systems and Contamination Research Section in the Fuels and Lubricants Technology Department at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) operates a 5,000-square-foot laboratory dedicated to fuel contamination research and testing. The facility consists of more than 4,200 square feet of laboratory space, containing 12 automated test cells. Of these cells, nine are dedicated to gasoline/flexible fuel testing, two to diesel testing, and one to hybrid fuel cell testing. Using an automated fluid heating and cooling system, test temperatures can be varied from -40 to 80° C (-40 to 170° F).
Dr. Xiaojian Tao, Acting Manager
Fuel Systems & Contamination Research Technical Strengths
- Contaminant characterization
- Accelerated life testing or key-life testing
- Material compatibility
- Modeling and simulation
- Test procedure development
- Lubricity, friction and wear
- Environmental evaluation
- Filtration
- Emissions and safety issues
- Component and systems development
- Contamination Research and Advanced Fuel Delivery