DASL/N-TCD Consortium Begins

San Antonio, Texas -- December 26, 2001 -- Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®) announces the start of a research consortium aimed at investigating the potential for common lubricating oils to degrade or poison emissions control systems for diesel and gasoline engines.

The Consortium, titled, "Diesel Aftertreatment Sensitivity to Lubricants (DASL), Non-Thermal Catalyst Deactivation (N-TCD)," combines the science of lubricant and catalyst interactions for diesel and gasoline emissions control systems.

"Both diesel and gasoline systems will benefit from the research performed under the Consortium through our ability to perform studies in an effective manner," said Bruce Bykowski, an Assistant Director in SwRI's^® Department of Emissions Research. "The cost-sharing attribute of the Consortium allows many projects to be performed at a fraction of the normal cost to the members."

In contrast, the N-TCD portion is a research/mechanistic study intended to explore the mechanisms of emissions control system deactivation as a result of oil exposure.

The format of the DASL/N-TCD Consortium is being structured with maximum flexibility to perform both kinds of projects, independently or in concert with each other, in the most cost-effective and timely manner.

The DASL/N-TCD Consortium does not intend to duplicate work from other programs, but to perform work that is precompetitive and complementary to those programs.  A Project Advisory Committee will determine what work is needed to help members develop and refine their products.

The initial five members have now contracted to form the Consortium, with a target of 10 preferred to perform the first years work. We expect 10 to 15 companies to join in the first year, Bykowski said.

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