SwRI launches fourth Clean Diesel consortium

San Antonio -- July 9, 2003 -- Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®) will launch its fourth cooperative research program to reduce diesel engine emissions. Building on 12 years of successful clean diesel programs at SwRI, the newest four-year effort will seek to improve diesel emissions technology to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's stringent 2010 emissions goals.

A kickoff meeting for the consortium, known as Clean Diesel IV, is scheduled for November 6, 2003. The program offers a yearly renewable contract, and signed contracts are required to attend the kickoff meeting.

Like its predecessors, the new program is designed to develop new diesel technologies for consortium members. The primary objective is to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) to 0.2 gram/horsepower-hour (g/hp-hr) and particulates to 0.01 g/hp-hr. Consortium participants will determine which projects will be undertaken during the program.

Daniel Stewart, director of the Engine Research Department in the SwRI Engine and Vehicle Research Division, explained that participants select the consortium work from a number of Institute-suggested projects. Institute engineers and scientists recommend areas of interest based on SwRI's extensive automotive-related experience and on work performed during the three earlier clean diesel consortia.

"Typically, four to six projects are conducted each year, with projects being added, completed, or extended according to participant recommendations," Stewart continued. "Technology developed during the earlier clean diesel programs will be brought forward as needed, but we will be working toward different, more stringent goals."

Possible projects include the development of stoichiometric diesel engines with three-way catalysts and variable area injection nozzles, direct in-cylinder urea injection, and determination of lubricant oil impact on particulate production.

The advantage of consortium membership is that the impact of the yearly contribution is multiplied by the number of participants, providing substantially more research than would be possible by funding from a single member. In addition, SwRI's internal research programs involving control algorithms and modified combustion concepts will be shared with consortium members. These efforts often form the bases for focused research under the consortium.

The Institute will aggressively pursue patent applications for technology developed during the Clean Diesel IV program, and consortium participants will receive a royalty-free license to use the technology.

SwRI has introduced the program to European, Asian and U.S. companies. Interested parties unable to attend the kickoff meeting may join Clean Diesel IV at any time. To date, 30 companies have indicated interest, including light, heavy-duty, and off-road engine manufacturers, component suppliers, and oil and fuel companies.

For more information about Clean Diesel IV, contact Stewart at (210) 522-3657, fax (210) 522-2019 or e-mail daniel.stewart@swri.org.

For more information, contact Robert Leibold, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas, 78228-0510, Phone (210) 522-2258, Fax (210) 522-3547.

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