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	Filter impulse evaluation can be performed with a wide range of temperature conditions and a variety of pressure cycle conditions.

Contamination significantly affects the performance and durability of fuel, air, and lubricant components and systems, especially with respect to automotive safety and vehicle performance. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) uses advanced analytical tools, testing techniques and simulation methodologies to assess the contamination sensitivity of fuel system, engine, powertrain, and hydraulic system components.

Fuel Systems and Contamination Research

SwRI fuel systems and contamination research focuses on:

• Investigation of interactions among contaminants, additive packages, and working fluids

• Study of physics essentials that influence component performance and service life

	The SwRI Contamination Research Test Laboratory hosts 12 explosive-proof test cells with real-world simulation and automated dust suspension capabilities.

Fuel Systems Research

Fuel systems research includes:

• Gasoline fuel delivery system evaluation

• Diesel fuel system (common rail) evaluation

• Component-level performance evaluation

• Thermal cycle and contamination durability

• Fuel Pump noise and vibration evaluation

• Hot fuel handling of fuel delivery pumps/modules

• Fuel compatibility study

• Fuel level gauge evaluation

• Powered pressure cycle cascaded with mechanical vibration

• Water handling under icing conditions

• Fuel Pump overheat evaluation

• Injector flow characteristic evaluation

• System and component electrostatic discharge (ESD) status evaluation

• Ultra-high pressure (20,000 psi) impulse test of pressure lines

Contamination Research

Contamination research includes:

• Filter evaluation per the following specifications:

  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

  • Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  • U.S. military

  • Original equipment manufacturer (OEM)

• Filter and filtration systems performance and life evaluations with cyclic flow and vibration

• Intake manifold activated carbon filter and vapor canister evaluation

• Automotive components permeation test

• Oil mist and droplets filter evaluation

• Filter and filtration strategic analysis

• Filter impulses, cold start (-54°C) and pressure fatigue (20,000 kPa or 3,000 psid) evaluation

• ISO 4020 water removal evaluation

SwRI contamination research services also include:

• Functionality testing

• Contamination sensitivity and durability testing

• Contaminant chemical composition determination

• Contaminant particle size and dirt loading pattern evaluation

• Specialty contaminant reconstruction

Quality Accomplishments

The Office of Automotive Engineering (OAE) at SwRI is:

• Certified to ISO 9001:2008, "Quality Management Systems − Requirements"

• Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005, "General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories"

• Certified to ISO 14001:2004, "Environmental Management Systems"

The OAE has also achieved Ford Tier I status for providing engineering services. The Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division has received the Ford Q1 Quality Award.

In addition, the Petroleum Products Research Department is a Nuclear Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC)-approved laboratory and the Fuels and Lubricants Research Division has maintained its status as an American Chemistry Council (ACC)-approved laboratory.

To learn more about fuel systems and contamination research at SwRI, visit contaminationresearch.swri.org.

For more information about our contamination research and advanced fuel delivery system technologies capabilities, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Xiaojian Tao, Ph.D., at xtao@swri.org or (210) 522-6962.

contam.swri.org

| Fuels and Lubricants Technology Department | Fuels and Lubricants Research Division | SwRI Home |

Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

December 28, 2012