Dissociated Methanol Test Results
The design and testing of an automotive fuel system that provides hydrogen-rich gases to an internal combustion engine by catalytically cracking, or dissociating, methanol on board the vehicle is described. The vaporization and dissociation of methanol absorb heat from the engine exhaust and increase the lower heating value of the fuel by approximately 22%. In addition, raising the compression ratio and burning with excess air increase the engine thermal efficiency. Engine dynamometer test results with dissociated methanol demonstrated improvement in brake thermal efficiency compared to gasoline from 30% to 100% depending on engine speed and torque. Lower speeds and torques produce the largest improvements. Maps of exhaust temperature and exhaust heat content are presented. The exhaust temperature is almost always high enough for dissociation to occur, but at lower power outputs, there is only enough exhaust energy for partial dissociation of the methanol.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 5200536
- Report Number(s):
- SERI/TP-235-1582; ON: DE82013565
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
08 HYDROGEN
090200 -- Alcohol Fuels-- (-1989)
330800* -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
ALCOHOL FUELS
AUTOMOBILES
CATALYTIC CRACKING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRACKING
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
ENGINES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUEL SYSTEMS
FUELS
HEAT ENGINES
HYDROGEN
INFORMATION
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
METHANOL FUELS
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PYROLYSIS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
TESTING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VEHICLES
automotive fuel system
dissociation of methanol
hydrogen-rich gases
internal combustion engine
090200 -- Alcohol Fuels-- (-1989)
330800* -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
ALCOHOL FUELS
AUTOMOBILES
CATALYTIC CRACKING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRACKING
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
ENGINES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUEL SYSTEMS
FUELS
HEAT ENGINES
HYDROGEN
INFORMATION
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
METHANOL FUELS
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PYROLYSIS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
TESTING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VEHICLES
automotive fuel system
dissociation of methanol
hydrogen-rich gases
internal combustion engine