COLD STARTING TESTS ON A METHANOL FUELLED SPARK IGNITION ENGINE

The present cold starting performance of methanol fuelled spark ignition engines is poor compared to their gasoline counterparts. Apparatus has been developed to cold soak a small engine to temperatures as low as -65 deg C. Tests have been conducted using methanol, Indolene and sample of commercial gasoline of depressed volatility. Data are provided showing the effect of fuel-air ratio on minimum starting temperature for the three fuels. Methanol failed to start at temperatures below about 0 deg C whereas the Indolene started easily to below -45 deg C. Reid Vapour Pressure is shown to be ineffective as a predictor of cold starting performance for methanol.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Fuel Alternatives for Spark Ignition and Diesel Engines SP-548. West Coast International Meeting Vancouver, British Columbia, August 8-11, 1983.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • GARDINER, D P
  • BARDON, M F
• Publication Date: 1983-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 11-15
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Pergamon Press Limited
  • Publisher: Pergamon Press, Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fuel air mixtures; Gasoline; Methanol; Performance tests; Spark ignition engines; Vehicle cold starts
• Uncontrolled Terms: Air fuel ratio
• Old TRIS Terms: Cold start; Indolene
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00381893
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE 831175, HS-035 953
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 30 1984 12:00AM