Characterization and research investigation of alcohol fuels in automobile engines

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5510702

The objective of this project is to test and evaluate the most practical solutions to the use of pure methanol and ethanol in spark-ignition engines, and to relate theoretical, analytical, experimental and empirical aspects so as to provide a high level of understanding to problems, solutions and practical fuel/engine designs. Information is presented on engine and fuel/air induction system modifications, acoustic induction system, dynamometer testing, cold start experiments, fleet tests using neat alcohol fuels and fuel blends, thermokinetic combustion process modeling, smog formation studies, and an evaluation of environmental and health hazards. Study of the fuel induction alternatives showed that a totally satisfactory, cost-effective fuel/air delivery system for alcohol-fueled engines has not yet been developed. The combustion modeling studies revealed that higher compression ratios can be exploited to enhance power and efficiency without paying an NO/sub x/ penalty. It also showed that methanol will thermally ignite more easily than gasoline. The study indicates that as much as 30% water could be added to the methanol substantially reducing NO/sub x/ emissions without diminshing power or thermal efficiency. However, this achievement may be accompanied with increased hydrocarbon and aldehyde emissions. Electric heaters can overcome cold starting problems in mild climates. These heaters plus fuel additives are most effective for very cold climates. No conclusions could be made about smog effects. Engine optimization for alcohols is still in an early stage of development. It is concluded that there is evidence that the alcohols can finally supplant petroleum fuels in the land transportation sector, enhance the power and efficiency of the engines yet not create a greater insult to the ecological systems than is currently being generated by petroleum fuels. (LCL)

• Research Organization: Santa Clara Univ., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-78CS51737
• OSTI ID: 5510702
• Report Number(s): DOE/CS/51737-1; ON: DE82009350
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330101 -- Internal Combustion Engines-- Spark-Ignition
330700 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Emission Control
330800* -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ALCOHOL FUELS
AUTOMOBILES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
COMBUSTION KINETICS
DATA
ENGINES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EXHAUST GASES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDS
FUEL ECONOMY
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HEAT ENGINES
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
KINETICS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
REACTION KINETICS
RETROFITTING
SPARK IGNITION ENGINES
SYNTHETIC FUELS
VEHICLES
WASTES