Investigation of alcohol combustion associated wear in spark ignition engines: mechanisms and lubricant effects. Final report, September 1976-December 1984

Technical Report · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6325225

Naegeli, D W; Owens, E C

This research has investigated four alcohol-containing fuels: pure methanol, pure ethanol, methanol in unleaded gasoline, and ethanol in unleaded gasoline (gasohol). Tests were conducted using a variety of single-cyclinder research engines and production multicylinder engines, mounted in dynamometer test stands. This testing indicated that pure alcohol fuels reduced the buildup of engine deposits. Also, neat methanol greatly increased engine wear rates at engine temperatures below 75/sup 0/C, while anhydrous ethanol and the alcohol-gasoline blends did not increase wear rates over that of unleaded gasoline. Mechanisms leading to this excessive wear were investigated using both engine and bench experiments. Role of nitrogen in the wear process was studied. Results indicate that formic acid and peroxides are formed as methanol combustion intermediates, and react rapidly with iron in the liner.

• Research Organization: Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (USA). Army Fuels and Lubricants Research Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-79CS50030
• OSTI ID: 6325225
• Report Number(s): AD/A-157714; ON: DE86004281
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
ALCOHOL FUELS
SPARK IGNITION ENGINES
WEAR
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
ETHANOL FUELS
FORMIC ACID
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
GASOHOL
METHANOL FUELS
PEROXIDES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ENGINES
FUELS
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
LIQUID FUELS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
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