Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Vaporized alcohol fuel boosts engine efficiency

Journal Article · · SAE Prepr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6001504

An effort is being made at Daimler-Benz AG to utilize the special characteristics of vaporized methanol and ethanol in an alcohol-gas spark-ignited engine. Describes laboratory testing which demonstrates that waste heat recovery and very lean air/fuel mixtures improve the efficiency and economy of a spark-ignition engine running on alcohol vapors. Presents graph comparing performance and torque of the alcohol-gas and diesel engines. Finds that the fuel consumption of the methanol-fueled version approaches that of a diesel engine, with other advantages including low engine noise, good acceleration, and favorable exhaust emissions.

OSTI ID:
6001504
Journal Information:
SAE Prepr.; (United States), Journal Name: SAE Prepr.; (United States) Vol. 91:2; ISSN SEPPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English