Alcohol fuel

About: Alcohol fuel is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2030 publications have been published within this topic receiving 42757 citations.

A Single Chamber Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Abstract: The complexities associated with H2 storage project liquid fed direct alcohol fuel cells promising alternative to H2-O2 fuel cells. However on the benchmark Pt-based electrocatalytic interface, the multielectron alcohol oxidation kinetics proceed through a parallel pathway mechanism with CO intermediacy, demanding heavy loading of Pt-based catalysts and an expensive Nafion-based membrane. In a sagacious approach by altering the interfacial chemistry at the cathode electrolyte interface, this study shows a single chamber direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with a Pt-free cathode and a freely diffusing electron acceptor (DEA). The positive redox energy of DEA assisted interfacial methanol oxidation kinetics by chemically unblocking CO poison from the Pt anode catalytic interface while simultaneously bestowing it with inherent electron accepting capability on methanol passive carbon cathode interface, guiding toward a membraneless configuration. In situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroelectrochemical studies reveal the methanol oxidation in this membraneless configuration is driven by DEA predominantly in the direct CO-free pathway, with ≈6 times amplification in fuel cell performance metrics than conventional Pt-based DMFC.

Intercooling effects of methanol on turbocharged diesel engine performance and exhaust emissions

Abstract: From the viewpoint of utilizing methanol fuel in an automotive turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine, an intercooling system supplying liquid methanol has been devised and its effects on engine performance and exhaust gas emissions have been investigated. With an electronically controlled injector in this system, methanol as a supplementary fuel to diesel fuel can be injected into the intake pipe in order to intercool a hot air charge compressed by the turbocharger. It has been confirmed that especially at heavy load conditions, methanol-intercooling can yield a higher thermal efficiency, and lower NOx and smoke emissions simultaneously, compared with three other cases without using methanol: natural aspiration and the cases with and without an ordinary intercooler. However, methanol fueling must be avoided at lower loads since sacrifices in efficiency and hydrocarbon emissions are inevitably involved.

Membranes for Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells

Abstract: This chapter is devoted to summarize and discuss the main properties of ionomeric membranes used in direct alcohol PEM fuel cells Although Nafion is the proton exchange membrane commonly used in methanol and other direct alcohol fuel cells, other proton and alkaline membranes are being investigated in order to improve the efficiency of DAFC The goals in the development of this critical component of DAFC are: low cost, long durability, low alcohol permeability and high electrical conductivity The last two properties can be combined in a single parameter, the membrane selectivity that accounts for the ratio between the proton and alcohol transport through the membrane This parameter can be compared to that measured for Nafion to define a relative selectivity, which is a primary parameter to evaluate the potentiality of a ionomer material to be used in alcohol feed fuel cells

Ether cold starter in alcohol fuel treatment and distribution apparatus and method

Abstract: In a system including an alcohol fuel container, a first catalyst containing reactor, an internal combustion engine, alcohol is passed from the container through the first reactor which contains dissociation catalyst. The alcohol is dissociated in the first reactor to form a combustible gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen. The hydrogen is then fed to the engine. The improvement includes passing alcohol through a second reactor containing dehydration catalyst to form ether. Then passing that ether to the engine for start-up. Thus, the engine may be started using a mixture of ether formed in the second reactor and alcohol and then operated using hydrogen formed in the first reactor.