Experimental results using methanol and methanol/gasoline blends as automotive engine fuel
Comparative emission and fuel energy economy data were generated using 1975 model vehicles adjusted for gasoline fuel and using gasoline and gasoline blended with 5 and 10% methanol; tests were made at temperatures of 20/sup 0/, 75/sup 0/, and 100/sup 0/F on a chassis dynamometer in a climate-controlled test chamber. Results suggest that emissions and fuel energy economy are generally affected to the extent that methanol addition affects air-fuel stoichiometry, fuel heat content, and fuel vapor pressure. The term ''fuel energy economy'' is used to denote calculations on the basis of fuel energy content in lieu of fuel quantity. Vehicle emissions and fuel economy were essentially unchanged during approximately 7,500 miles of road testing; no engine or fuel system component failures were encountered during that testing. Road octane measurements were made for the fuels containing 5, 10, and 15% methanol in base gasolines of 84, 87, and 91 research octane quality. Results show significantly better octane improvement in blending methanol with the lower octane fuels as compared with the improvement in blending with the higher octane fuels. Steady-state engine emission and fuel energy economy data were generated using a late model automotive engine fueled with 5, 10, 15, and 100% methanol/gasoline blend. Test variables and engine parametric adjustments included engine speed, exhaust gas recirculation rate, air-fuel ratio, ignition timing, and compression ratio. Results suggest that operation with pure methanol may allow use of high-compression engines to realize improved fuel energy economy with relatively low oxides of nitrogen emission.
- Research Organization:
- Energy Research and Development Administration, Bartlesville, OK (USA). Bartlesville Energy Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 7126690
- Report Number(s):
- BERC/RI-76/15
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ALCOHOLS
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DISPERSIONS
FUELS
GASOLINE
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANOL
MIXTURES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
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