scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

Showing papers on "Alcohol fuel published in 1991"


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present experimental results for the flow reactor oxidation of methanol, ethanol, normal and iso-propanol, tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), and methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE) at initial temperatures of 1020-1120 K and at atmospheric pressure.
Abstract: Experimental results are presented for the flow reactor oxidation of methanol, ethanol, normal- and iso-propanol, tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) at initial temperatures of 1020–1120 K and at atmospheric pressure. In comparison to alkanes, alcohols have a more complex oxidation mechanism, which involves the production of both oxygenated and nonoxygenated intermediates directly from the fuel. The ratio of dehydration to dehydrogenation observed depends on the molecular structure of the fuel. Primary alcohols are more susceptible to dehydrogenation than to dehydration, because of the weakness of the α C−H bonds. The direct production of aldehydes from primary alcohols causes these fuels to have much shorter reaction times than do the corresponding alkanes. By contrast, tertiary alcohols are highly susceptible to unimolecular dehydration. Since the dominant intermediates are alkenes, the chemistry closely resembles that of non-oxygenated hydrocarbons. Secondary alcohols react both by dehydration to alkenes and by dehydrogenation to ketones. MTBE decomposes directly to methanol + isobutene. These findings are summarized in a general mechanism for alcohol fuel oxidation. Methanol is observed to have the unique property that nearly half of its heat release occurs before the CO peak.

123 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Oct 1991-Fuel
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the full range of processes for producing liquid fuels from biomass to compare both alternative technologies and processes within those technologies in order to identify the most promising opportunities that deserve closer attention.

30 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive comparative study of methanol and compressed natural gas (CNG) as transportation fuels is presented, and the authors find that no single alternative fuel is best in all categories.
Abstract: Concern over the environment and a potential oil shortage has resulted in an intensified research for alternative fuels for the transportation sector. Two fuels given strong consideration are methanol and compressed natural gas (CNG). This paper is a comprehensive comparative study of methanol and CNG as transportation fuels. The physical properties of methanol and CNG are discussed. The various concerns, such as source and potential fuel supply, safety, toxicity and health hazards, engine performance and emissions, fuel storage, fuel tank and refueling of these alternative fuels are addressed briefly in this paper. The authors find that no single alternative fuel is best in all categories. The merits and drawbacks of each fuel are tabulated and the vehicle characteristics are compared with gasoline. The study concludes that the neat methanol may be considered as an alternative for passenger cars and CNG may be considered for fleets, light and heavy-duty vehicles as the best near-term solution.

23 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the Ozone formation behaviors of alcohols and aldehydes were investigated with the computer simulation by changing the ratio of reactants, and the effect of alcohol fuel on O 3 formation was estimated.

22 citations


Book
01 Jan 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present information of interest to automotive design engineers, technologists in the petroleum industry, students, legislators, and others interested in petroleum technology, including the technology associated with the fuel system from tank to metering.
Abstract: This book is in two volumes: Volume 1: Gasoline - contains information of interest to automotive design engineers, technologists in the petroleum industry, students, legislators, and others interested in petroleum technology. This volume covers the technology associated with the fuel system from tank to metering. Volume 2: Diesel - traces the processing, handling, and combustion of diesel fuel from crude oil to exhaust emissions. The volume also explores such current issues as using natural gas as an alternative to diesel fuel, increasing air charge in cylinders, and more.

17 citations


Patent
17 Jun 1991
TL;DR: A fuel tank assembly has a reservoir mounted to the bottom wall of a fuel tank, with a fuel pump unit and fuel sender unit both mounted on the reservoir as discussed by the authors, and can be composed of materials compatible with alcohol fuels or other fuel compositions.
Abstract: A fuel tank assembly has a reservoir mounted to the bottom wall of a fuel tank, with a fuel pump unit and fuel sender unit both mounted to the reservoir The fuel pump unit is removably mounted to the reservoir by a fuel pump bracket and the fuel sender unit is removably mounted to the reservoir by a fuel sender bracket The reservoir, fuel pump bracket and fuel sender bracket can be composed of materials compatible with alcohol fuels or other fuel compositions

15 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 1991-Science
TL;DR: In an effort to free the US from oil dependence on the Middle East and to reduce atmospheric pollution by automobile exhausts, the US automobile makers are about to take the historic step of commercial production of cars designed to run on methanol as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In an effort to free the US from oil dependence on the Middle East and to reduce atmospheric pollution by automobile exhausts, the US automobile makers are about to take the historic step of commercial production of cars designed to run on methanol. Methanol has a higher octane rating (100) than gasoline (93-97), allows cars to run more efficiently, and offers more lively automobile performance. Some disadvantages of methanol powered cars are problems with cold starts; less energy per gallon of fuel would decrease the driving range of automobiles before refuel ling; production of more aldehydes, which exacerbate ozone and smog production and may be carcinogens as well; and higher costs ($300 to 500 more) than conventional vehicles. The uncertainty of availability of fuel has prompted automobile manufacturers to design current models of automobiles to be flexible fuel vehicles to run on mixtures of gasoline and methanol. Should the demand for methanol fuel increase, the availability would surely rise. The cost of methanol compares favorably with that of gasoline - $1.20 to 1.30 per gallon.

9 citations


Patent
25 Oct 1991
TL;DR: A fuel mixt. as mentioned in this paper contains vegetable and/or animal oil and an ester of an aliphatic fatty acid, which is used as fuel for diesel engines or as heating oil (claimed).
Abstract: A fuel mixt. contains (a) a vegetable and/or animal oil and (b) an ester of an aliphatic fatty acid. USE/ADVANTAGE - The mixt. is used as fuel for diesel engines or as heating oil (claimed). Uses are in cars, lorries, agricultural and forestrey machinery, engines for emergency power supply, pumps and ships. Renewable materials are used. The fuel has a better cloud point (down to -28 deg.C.) and can be used at low temp., is biodegradable and does not contaminate ground water, can be used in diesel egines of all types, satisfies the safety requiremenets for diesel fuels (e.g. flash point above 100 (1700-200) deg.C), and is at least equiv. to mineral diesel fuels in efficiency and avoidance of abrasion. Emission of hydrocarbons, NOx and CO is below the standard values for diesel exhaust gas and SO2 emission is negligible

9 citations


Patent
18 Dec 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a utility model for a stove using methanol fuel, consisting of a liquid storage tank, a stove body, a vaporizing combustion system installed in the stove, an automatic pressurizing system, an electric igniter, etc.
Abstract: The utility model belongs to a vaporization type liquid fuel combustion device, in particular to a stove using methanol fuel, comprising a liquid storage tank, water containing methanol fuel, a stove body, a vaporizing combustion system installed in the stove body, an automatic pressurizing system, an electric igniter, etc. Part of the liquid fuel is preheated in the pressurizing chamber and vaporized in a sealed space, the generated steam is led into the automatic pressurizing method of the liquid storage tank to make the liquid fuel automatically be pressed into the vaporizing combustion system, realizing complete vaporization and sufficient combustion of the fuel. The utility model has the advantages of easy use, safety, high heat efficiency, and below standard discharge and is suitable for extensive urban and rural users.

Patent
24 Sep 1991
TL;DR: In this article, an alcohol fuel and apparatus for modifying a conventional diesel or detonation engine having an intake manifold is described, which consists of a fuel delivery system and a fuel injector having a probe which projects into the airstream of the intake manifold.
Abstract: An alcohol fuel and apparatus for modifying a conventional diesel or detonation engine having an intake manifold. The engine modification apparatus consists of a fuel delivery system and a fuel injector having a probe which projects into the airstream of the intake manifold. A fuel regulator of the fuel delivery system supplies fuel to the injector under pressure. The fuel pressure changes with changes in the load condition and operating speed of the engine. Fuel supplied to the injector is fumigated into the airstream of the intake manifold through a tapered needle valve. The metering position of the tapered needle valve is adjusted in the injector also in response to changes in the load conditions and operating speed of the engine. By selecting the taper of the needle valve, the response of the regulator, and the response of the injector, the horsepower of the engine can be significantly increased using a hydrous alcohol fuel mixture containing between 30% and 60% water by volume. A small quantity of synthetic oil is added to the hydrous alcohol fuel for enhanced lubrocity and fumigation and for reduced corrosive effect.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, car manufacturers are taking demands for emissions reduction and freedom from overseas sources of oil seriously by designing engines that can burn alternative fuels such as natural gas and methanol.
Abstract: This article shows how car manufacturers are taking demands for emissions reduction and freedom from overseas sources of oil seriously by designing engines that can burn alternative fuels such as natural gas and methanol. Although these alternatives emit smaller quantities of the pollutants associated with petrol engines, they have some disadvantages. Methanol provides about half the mileage per gallon, its liquid form corrodes parts in conventional petrol engines, and engines using it emit toxic aldehydes. Compressed natural gas vehicles have a limited driving range of about 120 miles, the gas must be stored in tanks larger than petrol tanks, and there is public concern about safety. For the near future, most vehicles using methanol are likely to burn it in a mixture with at least 15% petrol. Methanol-fuelled engines are beginning to appear in trucks, buses and cars; significant prototypes are being built and tested, for example, by Detroit Diesel, Volvo Cars of North America, Ford and Chrysler. Relatively little work has been done on natural gas engines, although models are being developed by Detroit Diesel, General Motors and Ford. Natural gas utilities are working to expand the infrastructure of delivery stations, as part of an effort to make natural gas more widely available.

Patent
13 Mar 1991
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a method to eliminate an output generating difference of each fuel in the same accelerator opening speed condition by setting an opening speed of a throttle valve, when gasoline fuel is used, faster than the opening speed when alcohol fuel was used.
Abstract: PURPOSE:To eliminate an output generating difference of each fuel in the same accelerator opening speed condition by setting an opening speed of a throttle valve, when gasoline fuel is used, faster than the opening speed when alcohol fuel is used CONSTITUTION:A throttle valve 16 is open-close possibly arranged in a valve body 15 connected to an intake pipe 7 Here in a pipe line 13 for supplying fuel to an injector 12 provided to appear in the intake pipe 7, a mixing ratio sensor 14, which detects a proportion of mixing gasoline with alcohol in fuel, is additionally provided While in an accelerator pedal 18, an accelerator sensor 19 for detecting a step-in amount of this pedal 18 is additionally provided Further being based on each detection signal of the sensors 14, 19, the throttle valve 16 is drive-controlled through a motor 17 by an ECU20 An opening speed of the throttle valve 16, when alcohol fuel is used, is set slower than the opening speed of the throttle valve 16 when gasoline fuel is used

01 Jan 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the potential environmental and economic benefits of each of the alternative fuels examined, including the characteristics of each alternative fuel, the current and proposed regulations and emission requirements for the vehicle fleet, the use of alternate fuels internationally, and conversion scenarios for each fuel.
Abstract: In early 1990, a study was undertaken to examine and compare the usefulness of natural gas, propane, methanol and ethanol in relation to gasoline and diesel fuel for potential use in the transportation industry. The study evaluated the potential environmental and economic benefits of each of the fuels examined, including the characteristics of each alternative fuel, the current and proposed regulations and emission requirements for the vehicle fleet, the use of alternate fuels internationally, and conversion scenarios for each fuel.

Patent
29 Oct 1991
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a method to automatically make fuel delivery amount compatible to alcohol concentration and kinds without requiring maintenance by a worker by feeding power to a pump by making a function that a first signal as a function of fuel pressure and a second electric signal as an inverse function of density of alcohol fuel are combined.
Abstract: PURPOSE: To automatically make fuel delivery amount compatible to alcohol concentration and kinds without requiring maintenance by a worker by feeding power to a pump by making a function that a first signal as a function of fuel pressure and a second electric signal as a function of density of alcohol fuel are combined. CONSTITUTION: A pressure sensor 102 transmitting an electric signal changing as a function of exit pressure of a fuel pump 12 is connected with an input of a pulse width modulating amplifier 106 of a circuit plate assembly 96 and a sensor 108 which is positioned at a tank transmits an electronic output signal changing as a function of alcohol density of fuel to a second input part of the amplifier 106. During an operation, the amplifier 106 transmits a pulse type dc signal to the pump 12. In this case, a duty cycle decreases as a continuous function increasing pressure of the sensor 102 and increases as a directly continuous function increasing alcohol density of the sensor 108. Therefore, when fuel alcohol concentration is prescribed one, a pump motor is driven as an inverse function of exit pressure of the pump 12 so as to keep fuel pressure constant.

Patent
18 Dec 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used mordenite or ZSM-5 obtained by applying aluminum removing treatment to natural zeolite or synthetic zeolites being a starting raw material.
Abstract: PURPOSE:To collect the vapor of alcohol fuel without taking a device in the structure of a canistor by using zeolite whose Si/Al mol ratio is a specific value or more as the adsorbent for collecting the vapor generated from alcohol fuel. CONSTITUTION:Zeolite whose Si/Al mol ratio is 10 or more is used as the adsorbent for collecting the vapor of fuel containing alcohol such as methanol or ethanol. This zeolite is mordenite or ZSM-5 obtained by applying aluminum removing treatment to natural zeolite or synthetic zeolite being a starting raw material. The adsorbent thus obtained can collect the vapor of alcohol fuel without taking a special device in the structure of a canistor.

Patent
15 Apr 1991
TL;DR: In this article, a quantity controlling pump feeds a specified quantity of oil from an oil supply tank 6 to the suction side of a methanol supply pump 3 to be mixed with methanols supplied from a methenol supply tank 4 to an injector pump 2.
Abstract: PURPOSE: To permit actuation of an engine by alcohol fuel by reacting pilot fuel of ether with air in a combustion chamber, and compressing it to be ignited to raise the temperature of fuel-mixed gas in it for compressing injected main fuel and starting combustion. CONSTITUTION: A quantity controlling pump 5 feeds a specified quantity of oil from an oil supply tank 6 to the suction side of a methanol supply pump 3 to be mixed with methanol supplied from a methanol supply tank 4 to an injector pump 2. A large quantity of methanol is introduced from the tank 4 through a bypass fuel line 7 to a pilot fuel pump 8. Methanol is introduced from the pump 8 through an exit line 9 to a converter device 10, where inflow methanol is converted into dimetyl ether having a larger combustible range than methanol fuel, and this is introduced through a line 15 to an air introducing device of an engine 1, that is a manifold.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Feb 1991
TL;DR: The 1990 SAE Methanol Challenge as mentioned in this paper was a follow-up to the 1989 SAE Methanol Marathon, which included complete federal exhaust emissions, cold-start and driveability, performance, and fuel economy testing.
Abstract: A follow-up to the 1989 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Methanol Marathon called the Methanol Challenge was held in April 1990. One of a series of engineering student competitions using alternative fuels organized and conducted by the Center for Transportation Research at Argonne National Laboratory, the Methanol Challenge pushed the technology for dedicated M85 (85% methanol, 15% hydrocarbon fuel) methanol passenger cars to new levels. The event included complete federal exhaust emissions, cold-start and driveability, performance, and fuel economy testing. Twelve teams of student engineers from the United States and Canada competed in the Challenge using Chevrolet Corsicas donated by General Motors (GM) to the schools. The winning car, from the University of Tennessee, simultaneously demonstrated extremely low emissions, dramatically increased performance, and significantly improved fuel economy. This paper describes the goals, the conversion approaches used by the various university students, and results of the competition on emissions, cold-start, road rally performance, fuel economy, cold driveability, acceleration, maneuverability, and exhaust noise. 4 figs., 15 tabs.

01 Jan 1991
TL;DR: In this article, fuel cell power plants using non-petroleum fuels such as methanol could significantly reduce US dependency on petroleum resources and offer the additional advantage of minimal air pollution.
Abstract: Over the past 35 years, the transportation sector has accounted fr approximately 25% of the total gross energy consumption in the United States As the largest energy user in the United States, transportation accounts for approximately 66% of the country`s current petroleum consumption Fuel cell power plants using nonpetroleum fuels such as methanol could significantly reduce US dependency on petroleum resources They offer the additional advantage of minimal air pollution thereby addressing another issue of major concern in the US fuel cell power plant use in city buses and other vehicles is being explored in a number of US Department of Energy and industrial programs that will be described in this paper 5 refs

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this paper, a switch from gasoline to methanol fuel has been proposed to reduce ozone pollution and some of the health risks associated with gasoline, and the benefits of the policy far outweigh the costs, however, the gains in the US monopsony power in the world oil market can be captured by other, more efficient policies.
Abstract: Switching from gasoline to methanol fuels has important economic and health effects. Replacing gasoline with methanol will affect oil markets by lowering the demand for oil and thus lowering oil prices. Increased demand for the natural gas feedstock will increase natural gas prices. Because methanol is more costly than gasoline, fuel prices will also increase. On the other hand, methanol use will reduce ozone pollution and some of the health risks associated with gasoline. Considering all three markets affected by the phasing-out of gasoline, the switch to methanol results in net gains. The health benefits from lower pollution and the lives saved from the switch from gasoline to methanol are in addition to these gains. Overall, the benefits of the policy far outweigh the costs. However, the gains in the oil market, arising from the US monopsony power in the world oil market, can be captured by other, more efficient policies. 21 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.


Patent
20 May 1991
TL;DR: In this paper, a combustion chamber variable means which varies injection of fuel from a main combustion chamber to an auxiliary combustion chamber by means of a fuel injection means was proposed to reduce a fuel consumption rate and improve startability.
Abstract: PURPOSE:To reduce a fuel consumption rate and to improve startability by providing a combustion chamber variable means which varies injection of fuel from a main combustion chamber to an auxiliary combustion chamber by means of a fuel injection means to vary injection of fuel to both the auxiliary and main combustion chambers. CONSTITUTION:A glow plug 23 and a first nozzle 24 through which alcohol fuel is injected in a recessed part 22 are disposed to a piston head part. A second nozzle 32 through which alcohol fuel is injected in an auxiliary combustion chamber 3 is disposed in the auxiliary combustion chamber 3. A pressure sensor 14, the glow plug 23, a fuel pump 33, and a valve opening closing mechanism 4 are connected to an input output interface 54 of a control unit 5. During load running, a combustion chamber varying engine is operated as a direct injection engine having a high compression ratio. During high load running, the engine is operated as an auxiliary combustion chamber engine. This constitution reduces a fuel consumption rate and improves startability.

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the environmental potential of alcohol mixtures used as octane boosters in gasoline blends and as fuels for diesel engines, while methanol may be used as a fuel in spark ignition engines and in burners.
Abstract: Summary ENERGY ALCOHOLS used as liquid synthetic energy carriers on the fuel and heat market are characterized by a substantial environmental potential, particularly in comparison with gasoline, diesel and fuel oil. Alcohol mixtures can be used both as octane boosters in gasoline blends and as fuels for diesel engines, while methanol may be used as a fuel in spark ignition engines and in burners.