Vehicle evaluation of neat methanol - Compromises among exhaust emissions, fuel economy and driveability
Abstract
Methanol as an alternative fuel in vehicles with spark-ignited, internal combustion engines is evaluated. A methanol-fueled model car, equipped with electronic fuel injection was modified to provide proper air-fuel ratios for methanol. Exhaust emissions and fuel economy, using an average equivalence air-fuel ratio of 0.96 and spark-timing, designed for the production gasoline car, were compared. It was found that methanol fuelling with a 0.96 ratio using best-power rather than production spark timing increased fuel economy from 3 to 6% without significantly affecting emissions and driveability. Furthermore, with best-power spark-timing and a maximum economy air-fuel ratio of 0.83, driveability was acceptable and the CO and NO emissions met the 1977 standard. Although feasibility and benefits of operating vehicles with neat methanol were demonstrated, not all problems of methanol fuelling (i.e., cold starts) were solved and other alternatives such as obtaining hydrocarbon liquids from coal should be considered.
- Publication:
-
International Journal of Energy Research
- Pub Date:
- September 1979
- DOI:
- 10.1002/er.4440030305
- Bibcode:
- 1979IJER....3..243B
- Keywords:
-
- Engine Tests;
- Exhaust Gases;
- Fuel Consumption;
- Hydrocarbon Fuel Production;
- Internal Combustion Engines;
- Methyl Alcohol;
- Coal Liquefaction;
- Energy Technology;
- Performance Tests;
- Synthetic Fuels;
- Energy Production and Conversion