Showing papers on "Alcohol fuel published in 1988"

Hybrid diesel fuel composition

Abstract: A hybrid diesel fuel composition in the form of a microemulsion stable with time over a wide temperature range comprises a diesel fuel, water, a glycolipid surfactant and an aliphatic alcohol co-surfactant.

Fundamentals, development and scaleup of the air=oxygen stratified downdraft gasifier

Abstract: In 1979 the US Department of Energy, Office of Alcohol Fuels, asked the Solar Energy Research Institute to develop a process for manufacturing methanol from biomass. This can be achieved by gasification of the biomass to a ''synthesis gas'' (syn-gas) (composed of primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide) followed by catalytic conversion of the gas to methanol. The catalytic conversion of syn-gas is a well developed commercial process. There are a number of gasifiers for wood, but most of them make either a producer gas, high on nitrogen or a pyrolysis gas high in hydrocarbons. None were developed to make syn-gas. Thus the principal technical problem was to develop a gasifier to make synthesis gas from biomass. Work was performed at SERI from 1980--1985 which resulted in the development of a prototype 1 ton/day oxygen-biomass gasifier. In 1985 a program was undertaken for Congress by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to build a commercial scale (50--200 tons/day) medium energy gasifier, based on DOE or other research. A new company, Syn-Gas Inc. (SGI), research. A contract was awarded to SGI to modify the air gasifier for oxygen operation for this project. This modification allowed extended tests of the gasifier with oxygenmore » to determine the possibility of scaling up the SERI-SGI gasifier to 50--200 tons/day.« less

Ethanol: economic and policy tradeoffs

Abstract: Federally supported ethanol use is one alternative for meeting environmental, energy security, and agricultural objectives. Additional expansion of the industry depends on a continuation of current favorable conditions, including extension of the Federal gasoline tax exemption. Under current conditions, ethanol should be able to compete with other additives as an octane enhancer. Expansion of the ethanol industry would increase ethanol's contribution to improving energy security, reducing air-quality problems associated with carbon monoxide, and increasing corn prices. The report provides a basis for assessing the tradeoffs in using ethanol to meet national objectives.

Process for producing fuel methanol (motor fuel) from coke oven gas and metallurgical plant gas

Abstract: According to the invention, metallurgical plant gas and coke oven gas are mixed to give a synthesis gas having a stoichiometric H/CO ratio of about 1 and, by adaptation of the pressure and temperature and catalyst in the methanol synthesis, a product is obtained which, in addition to methanol, contains higher alcohols and can be used as a fuel additive for improving the octane number of unleaded petrol.

Fuel composition and method for control of engine octane requirements

Abstract: The octane requirement increase phenomenon in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is controlled by introducing with the combustion charge a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of a combination of compounds, the combination comprising a first compound being (1) a gasoline soluble amide and (2) a second compound being a gasoline soluble ketone. Usually the first and second compounds are each added to the fuel in an amount between about 0.001 and 3 weight percent of the fuel. In particular, the combination of N,N-dibutyl formamide and either benzophenone or methylcyclohexanone provides an effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additive for unleaded gasoline.

Influence of the methanol fuel composition on performance and exhaust emissions of diesel-derived alcohol engines

Abstract: This paper describes the application of straight alcohol fuel concepts to diesel engines while evaluating the influence of methanol fuel composition on performance and exhaust emission behavior. A thermodynamic analysis of the cylinder pressure was conducted and the exhaust emissions both, gaseous and particulate, were measured. The results show that, with respect to future emission standards and requirements for a very low emission engine concept for heavy duty application, alcohol fuels should contain the smallest concentration of higher alcohols and hydrocarbons possible

Process to prevent or reduce scales in mixture preparation devices of engines

Abstract: In engines in which alcohol fuels are used together with lubricants, these contain a small quantity of one or more compounds based on polyol ethers and are suitable for engines run with hydrocarbon fuels.

Sample-preparation techniques for evaluating methanol and formaldehyde emissions from methanol-fueled vehicles and engines. Technical report

Abstract: This report describes the wet Chemistry procedures used by the Emission Control Technology Division, Test and Evaluation Branch of the E.P.A. Motor Vehicle Emission Laboratory in evaluating methanol fuels for use in motor vehicles. The report describes the formaldehyde and methanol wet-chemistry procedures used. Included is elution changes, volume measurement, sample contamination issues, preparation procedures, and various appendices.

Effects of Ethanol Proof on Engine Performance

Abstract: ETHANOL of 200, 190 and 180 proof was burned in an engine designed to run on neat ethanol. The purpose was to determine the effect of the water in the fuel on engine performance. The water in 190 proof ethanol accounted for 5% of the fuel volume and 6.3% of the fuel mass, but contributed only 0.9% to the power producing capability of the fuel. The water in 180 proof ethanol accounted for 10% of the fuel volume and 12.4% of the fuel mass, but contributed only 1.9% to the power producing capability of the fuel.

Diesel fuel composition

Abstract: Diesel fuel composition, in the form of a stable and homogeneous mixture, containing: (a) Diesel fuel; (b) a mixture of aliphatic alcohols (C1-C4 alcoholic fraction), containing more than 50% by weight of methanol, coming from the catalytic preparation processes of methanol and higher alcohols by reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and (c) an aliphatic alcohol containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms in its molecule.

Internal combustion engine with variable compression ratio

Abstract: PURPOSE:To obtain high heat efficiency irrespective of property characteristics of fuel to be used and greatly improve the fuel consumption by detecting the property characteristics of the fuel and setting an optimum compression ratio according to the result of detection. CONSTITUTION:Property characteristics of fuel to be supplied from a fuel tank 12 to a fuel supplying device 10, e.g., a concentration of alcohol fuel is detected by a sensor 20, and a result of detection is input to a computer 13. The computer 13 carries out predetermined calculation according to a detection signal so as to conduct optimum control, and outputs control signals as calculated to a fuel supplying device 10, compression ratio varying device 14 and ignition device 15, so that an air-fuel ratio, compression ratio and ignition timing of an internal combustion engine 1 may be set to optimum values, respectively. Accordingly, an optimum compression ratio may be set in accordance with the property characteristics of the fuel to be used, thereby obtaining high heat efficiency irrespective of the property characteristics of the fuel.

Methanol supply and demand issues from a California perspective

Abstract: This paper reports that despite state policies aimed at reducing high levels of petroleum dependency and air pollution, California relies primarily on petroleum fuels for transportation. As an alternative to petroleum-based fuels, methanol has become increasingly important because of its potential for improving energy security and air quality. A growing body of evidence also suggests that methanol could serve as a toxic substance control by displacing benzene in gasoline. In light of these findings, recent governmental and private-sector activities have been focused on methanol, creating a momentum that has substantially improved the prospects of this fuel for use in the transportation sector. Because this momentum could lead to greater demand for methanol fuel, questions of methanol supply demand, and availability must be addressed.

Investigation into methanol fuel formulations

Abstract: If diesel fuel is to be replaced with methanol in compression ignition engines, the differences in methanol's properties could be considered advantageous, neutral or nonadvantageous. Of 26 properties studied, only lubricity, critical temperature, flame luminance and odour were identified as amenable to modification through fuel additives. Testing was then performed to individually examine the effect of selected additives on luminance and odour. Butanethiol was identified as a promising malodourant, offering a relatively strong odour at a low concentration. Flame luminosity testing failed to identify any additive applied in low concentrations, that could raise the average luminance of methanol to anywhere near gasoline.

Alcohol fuel for diesel engines

Abstract: SYNOPSIS The paper begins by examining the reasons for using alcohol fuels as a replacement for petroleum-derived fuels. The wide range of sources of alcohols enable most nations to undertake production of indigenous supplies. In general alcohols are excellent fuels for the spark-ignition engine of traditional design. Alcohol is quite unsuited in combustion properties for the more efficient unthrottled compression-ignition (diesel) engine. The reasons for this are explained and various means of overcoming the problems are outlined—additives for cetane improvement, alcohol-diesel emulsions, dual injection, fumigation, surface ignition and spark ignition. In each case the practical drawbacks as well as the benefits are discussed. Finally some conclusions are drawn about the potential for alcohol-fuelled diesel engines based on the authors' studies and experimental work.

Environmental quality changes arising from the replacement of diesel oil-fueled buses by methanol-fueled buses

Abstract: On the basis of existing and projected rates of emissions of presently regulated pollutants and accepted data concerning ozone formation, changes in local and regional air quality resulting from replacement of diesel oil-fueled buses by methanol-fueled buses are estimated for a representative urban area. Occupational exposures of bus garage workers are examined. Bus maintenance and refueling procedures that minimize the chances of deleterious occupational exposure are contrasted with those for diesel buses. Probable levels of urban-resident and bus company-worker pollutant exposure under good operating procedures for diesel and methanol-fueled buses are estimated, and an overall comparison of environmental quality is made, based on this information for both types of buses. A comparison is made of the environmental consequences of leaks and spills of methanol and diesel fuel during transportation and storage and in fueling the vehicles. Conclusions are reached about the net environmental advantages of methanol-fueled buses relative to diesel buses. Cost-benefit studies that place an economic value on the environmental benefits of methanol buses are examined, to develop a general indication of the ratios of methanol and diesel fuel prices that make adoption of methanol buses desirable. 36 refs., 2 figs., 5 tabs.