Use of methanol as a motor vehicle fuel
Automobile engine performance and emissions using methanol/gasoline blends and pure methanol are reported. The data of several investigations (43 references) are summarized. Investigations of fuel consumption showed that methanol/gasoline blends either slightly improved or slightly reduced fuel economy, depending on the engine tested. Operating efficiency improved on a mile/Btu basis. The economic benefit of this improvement depends on the comparative prices of gasoline and methanol. Studies of power and acceleration demonstrated that the high latent heat of vaporization of methanol (474 Btu/lb vs. 141 for octane) cools the air charge of the engine and increases its density, causing an increase in volumetric efficiency and available power from the engine. Methanol also lowers the combustion temperature in the cylinder for a lower combustion efficiency. Practical amounts of methanol, however, can be added to gasoline without appreciably affecting the power output of an unmodified engine. Methane/gasoline mixtures exhibit a much higher vapor pressure than would be expected and may cause vapor-lock problems, difficulties with hot starts, stalling, hesitation, and poor acceleration. An investigation of the effect of methanol solubility, separation, and octane number on driveability indicates that cold-start problems can be minimized by adding higher alcohols to the fuel and that substitution of a 7% blend of methanol should exhibit enough beneficial effects to overshadow most detrimental effects. Corrosion problems were also reported for the terne plating on automobile fuel tanks, and copper, aluminum, and magnesium systems. The main problem appears to be phase separation caused by the presence of water.
- OSTI ID:
- 6612450
- Journal Information:
- Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Gas Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Vol. 20:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Methanol as a motor fuel or a gasoline blending component
Methanol as a motor fuel or a gasoline blending component
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33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
METHANOL
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
ANTIKNOCK RATINGS
GASOLINE
MIXTURES
VAPOR PRESSURE
ALCOHOLS
DISPERSIONS
FUELS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
TESTING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
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