First year results from the Federal Methanol Fleet at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5205980

McGill, R N; Hillis, S L; Wantland, J L

This paper describes the first year's operation and results of the Federal Methanol Fleet activities at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL). The fleet consists of five 1984 methanol-fueled Chevrolet Citation sedans paired with five analogous gasoline-fueled Citations for comparison. Data are presented on fuel consumption, maintenance records, driver perceptions of operability and safety, and oil sample analyses. Drivers generally reported no significant differences in their perceptions of safety and operability between the methanol and gasoline vehicles. No major maintenance problems were encountered. Oil sample analyses revealed higher engine wear rates in the methanol vehicles, but not alarmingly high. It is concluded that the Federal Methanol Fleet operation at LBL has been highly successful during its first year of operation.

• OSTI ID: 5205980
• Report Number(s): CONF-871142-
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

090210* -- Alcohol Fuels-- Properties-- (1976-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330800 -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
ALCOHOLS
AUTOMOBILES
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
CLIMATES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
GASOLINE
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LAWRENCE BERKELEY LABORATORY
LIQUID FUELS
METHANOL
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
TESTING
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VEHICLES