Alcohol fuel

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

Engine Parameters Assessment for Alcohols Fuels Application in Compression Ignition Engines

Abstract: An increasing interest of governments on alternative fuels for internal combustion engines (ICE) as a possible route to reduce pollutant and CO2 emissions has been shown. Advanced combustion concepts combined with alternative fuels have the potential to improve efficiency and emissions levels. In this framework, the compression ignition (CI) engines have a higher brake thermal efficiency compared to the spark ignition (SI) engines and therefore lower efficiency related CO2 emissions. High research octane number (RON) fuels can be used in CI engines to realize premixed combustion thus reducing the soot emissions, and to a certain extent also NOx. Thus, alternative alcohol fuels such as methanol and ethanol represent a valuable option for further reducing the CO2 footprint of CI engines. In this chapter, the main advantages and drawbacks of using alcohols as primary fuel or additive in diesel are evaluated in terms of performance, combustion characteristics and emissions, with particular reference to energetic analysis.

Methanol as a gasoline extender: fuel economy, emissions, and high temperature driveability

Abstract: Methanol's potential as a gasoline extender has been evaluated, with data being obtained in the areas of fuel economy, exhaust emissions, and driveability. The results of tests with three cars, having carburetion spanning the range normally encountered in the existing car population, showed that methanol's effect on fuel economy and emissions could be directly related to its leaning effect on carburetion. The data suggest that any benefits in these two areas would only be significant for older, rich-operating cars. A 13-car driveability study indicated that the large increase in fuel volatility which occurs with the addition of methanol to gasoline could pose serious problems. A marked increase in vapor locking tendency was observed when no front-end volatility adjustments were made to the methanol blends. Stretchiness, a lack of expected response to throttle movement, was also found with the methanol blends. This operational characteristic, being related to excessively lean operation, was more pronounced with the newer cars tested. Phase separation is also a potential problem with methanol-gasoline blends. Data are presented which show the effect of including higher molecular weight alcohols along with the methanol. Phase separation still occurred in the presence of less than 1% water. Taken as a whole,more » the data suggest that, if it becomes available in large quantities, the use of methanol in applications other than in motor gasoline would be preferred.« less

Cold-start apparatus and cold-start method

Abstract: A cold-start apparatus for alcohol-fueled internal combustion engines in which a certain quantity of gasoline is injected directly into the combustion chambers upon starting. To assure reliable start-up of the engine with the aid of gasoline, and beyond a predetermined temperature, the engine is operated with only alcohol fuel. In order to make gasoline available for the cold start without entailing a major expense, a gasoline storage and supply device is provided. The supply device includes a piston which divides the housing into a work chamber which is filled with alcohol fuel from a work chamber which is filled with gasoline. As the alcohol fuel in the work chamber cools, the piston is forced by a spring inward into the alcohol filled chamber, causing aspiration of gasoline into the gasoline chamber which upon starting of the engine and a build up of pressure in the alcohol work chamber gasoline line is injectable by means of an alcohol fuel pump, via a gasoline delivery line and a gasoline fuel injection valve into the air intake tube until such time as the engine has attained a sufficiently high temperature then only alcohol is used in operating the engine.

Fuel additive for diesel fuels

Abstract: An anti-wear compression ignition fuel for use in diesel engines comprising (1) a monohydroxy alkanol having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and (2) a wear inhibiting amount of a C 12 to C 30 hydrocarbyl succinic acid or anhydride, e.g. tetrapropenyl succinic acid. Optionally, said fuel composition may also contain an ignition accelerator such as an organic nitrate. It has recently been disclosed in Brazilian Patent Application No. P17700392 that alcohols, such as methanol and ethanol, can be substituted for conventional petroleum derived diesel fuels for burning in diesel engines, when used in combination with an ignition accelerator, such as ethyl nitrate or nitrite. Reportedly, the addition of alkyl nitrate or nitrite accelerators to the alcohol achieves a level of auto-ignition sufficient to operate in diesel engines. Unfortunately, these fuel compositions, devoid of any petroleum derived products, are notably deficient in lubricity or lubricating properties with the result that engine wear from the use of these fuels in internal combustion reciprocating diesel engines is a serious problem. Of particular concern are wear problems associated with the fuel injector mechanism used in such engines. Wear problems have also been encountered in diesel engines operating on light diesel fuel oils as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,437.