Statistical Successes and Challenges in Fuels and Lubricants

The fuels and lubricants industries currently are faced with many new challenges, owing in large part to the rising costs of energy and vehicle emission controls. The intent of this paper is to discuss a cross section of some key problem areas in fuels and lubricants and demonstrate how statistical methods can impact on them. Problem areas discussed include models for gasoline blending, predictions and misinterpretations of customer octane satisfaction, data base quality illustrated through use of an example on blood lead, and evaluation of automotive emissions surveillance data.