Fleet trials using methanol/gasoline blends

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6723300

Stamper, K R

Seven current-production automobiles were used in a fleet study to determine the long-term effects and end-use influences of using 10% methanol/90% gasoline blends as automotive fuels. The vehicles were operated over a course designed to accumulate mileage at a rate and duty cycle similar to automobiles used by the private sector in the US. Vehicle tests were run at each 5000-mile accumulation interval to determine the fuel economy and the mass of pollutant emissions generated by the vehicles operating on the 10% methanol blend and to establish a basis for comparison on an unleaded, low-octane Indolene. These data showed an average reduction in volumetric fuel economy (approximately 5%) and a consistent reduction in carbon monoxide emissions associated with the use of the 10% methanol blend. At the end of 50,000 miles of operation on the blend, the engine and fuel handling systems in four of the vehicles were disassembled for inspection and rating to identify any significant wear or materials incompatibility problems associated with long-term operation on the methanol blend. Crankcase lubricants were changed at 5000-mile intervals. Subsequent analyses of the used lubricants did not reveal any significant abnormalities that would indicate an adverse fuel/lubricant interaction. Two of the vehicles were used in Sealed Housing for Evaporative Determination tests using low-octane Indolene and a 10% methanol/90% Indolene blend. The data from these tests showed a significant increase in evaporative emissions associated with short-term use of the methanol blends and an even greater increase when the methanol blend is used for extended periods.

• Research Organization: Department of Energy, Bartlesville, OK (USA). Bartlesville Energy Technology Center
• OSTI ID: 6723300
• Report Number(s): CONF-801030-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320203* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Land & Roadway
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330800 -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
AIR POLLUTION
ALCOHOLS
AUTOMOBILES
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COMPATIBILITY
DATA
DISPERSIONS
ENGINES
EXHAUST GASES
FEDERAL TEST PROCEDURE
FLUIDS
FUEL ECONOMY
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
GASOLINE
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
LIQUID FUELS
LUBRICANTS
METHANOL
MIXTURES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
TESTING
VEHICLES
WASTES
WEAR