Walter H. Douthit has extensive experience with Sunoco, Inc., and DuPont in the formulation of automotive fuels, and the relationship of fuel composition to engine performance. As manager of fuel development projects, Walt was Sun's expert on the interrelationships of fuel properties, gasoline octane enhancers, volatility, and additives, as these relate to engine performance and emissions. He was Sun's principal interface with industry groups and government agencies.

• Coordinating Research Council (CRC).   Participated over a 25 year period in research groups funded by the SAE and API organizations.

  • Vehicle Emissions Group
  • Driveability Group
  • Octane Requirements Group
  • Alternative Fuels Group
  • Air Pollution Research Advisory Committee (APRAC).




• American Petroleum Institute (API).    Participated in many committee activities, beginning in the late '60's with EF-I committee, concerning evaporative losses in gasoline marketing distribution systems.

• American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).    Member of task force group that drafted the current standard (D-4814) for gasoline. Also active with drafting of standards for using ethanol in gasoline.

• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).    Member for 25 years. Recent papers include:

  • #881667 Performance Features of 15% MTBE Gasoline Blends
  • #902130 Effects of Oxygenates and Fuel Volatility on Vehicle Emissions at Seasonal Temperatures




• Oxygenated Fuels Association (OFA).   As technical chairman Walt originated OFA's petition which led to EPA's adoption in 1991 of its "substantially similar" definition of gasoline. He is a charter member of the industry group that investigated toxicity of MTBE.

Walt has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska. He holds patents on emission control systems for internal combustion engines, and for related high temperature materials of construction.

This page was last updated March 23, 2009