SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Publications

Driveline Abstracts

Fuels and Fuel Additives, Fuel Economy Abstracts

Technical Services

Procedures/Tests Available

	SwRI provides sampling services at service stations and sample kits for terminal and automotive clients.

Since 1952, extensive petroleum products research services have been offered by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) including:

• Chemical testing and analyses

• Physical testing and analyses

• Most standard ASTM international, federal, and industrial testing

The Petroleum Products Research Department measures the quality and determines regulatory compliance of:

• Fuels

• Automatic transmission fluids

• Brake fluids

• Gear lubricants

• Hydraulic oils

• Coolants

• Antifreezes

• Gasolines

• Diesel engine oils

Sampling Services and Equipment

Sampling services include:

• Providing sampling services at service stations

• Providing sample kits for terminal and automotive clients

Test equipment includes:

• Octane and cetane engines meeting ASTM Coordinating Fuels Research (CFR) specifications

• Injector systems for induction system and fuel injector deposit and clean-up studies

Fuels and Lubricants Evaluation Techniques

SwRI uses state-of-the-art analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GCMS). Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and energy and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses are used to gather elemental information on solid and liquid samples.

 

	The SAE H806 oil filter test stand is automated for unattended 24-hour operations, including interval fluid sampling.

Types of Fluids Evaluated

Analytical and physical testing are provided to evaluate and qualify all types of fuels, lubricants, and functional fluids. Testing and evaluations are performed on the following:

• Gasolines

• Diesel fuels

• Synthetic or non-conventional fuels

• Crankcase oils

• Automatic transmission fluids

• Gear oils

• Coolants

• Antifreezes

• Greases

Customized Evaluations

In addition to standard ASTM tests, a number of independent programs support clients' efforts to characterize and evaluate a broad range of petroleum and automotive products. Emission samples can also be analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon type using extraction, clean-up, and GCMS procedures.

To learn more about the evaluation of oil corrosiveness at SwRI, visit oilcorr.swri.org.

More information about specific technical areas is available:

• Fuel analysis

• Fuel conformance

• Lubricant analysis

Worldwide Recognition in Fuels and Lubricants Evaluation Programs

The standardized fuels and lubricants evaluation program at SwRI is known worldwide. Extensive facilities, staffed by experienced engineers, scientists, and technicians, are recognized by industry and government for innovations in petroleum technology.

• The Petroleum Products Research Department is a Nuclear Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC)-approved laboratory.

• The Fuels and Driveline Lubricants Research Department has maintained its status as an American Chemistry Council (ACC)-approved laboratory.

• The Engine Lubricants Research Department has received the Ford Customer-Driven Quality Award and maintained its status as a Caterpillar-certified Supplier.

• The Fuels and Lubricants Technology Department functions as an extension of the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), and conducts fuels and lubricants research for the Army, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, other government agencies, and commercial clients.

For more information about our petroleum products research services, or how you can contract with SwRI,  please contact Gerry Estrada at gestrada@swri.org or (210) 522-3006.

petroleumproducts.swri.org

| Petroleum Products Research 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