EVALUATION OF DISSOCIATED AND STEAM-REFORMED METHANOL AS AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE FUELS

Dissociated and steam reformed methanol were evaluated as automotive engine fuels. Advantages and disadvantages in using methanol in the reformed rather than liquid state are discussed. Engine dynamometer tests were conducted with a four cylinder, 2.3 liter, spark ignition automotive engine to determine performance and emission characteristics operating on simulated dissociated and steam reformed methanol (2H2 + CO and 3H2 + CO2 respectively), and liquid methanol. Results are presented for engine performance and emissions as functions of equivalence ratio, at various throttle settings and engine speeds. Operation on dissociated and steam reformed methanol was characterized by flashback (violent propagation of a flame into the intake manifold) which limited operation to lower power output than was obtainable using liquid methanol. It was concluded that: an automobile could not be operated solely on dissociated or steam reformed methanol over the entire required power range--a supplementary fuel system or power source would be necessary to attain higher powers; the use of reformed methanol, compared to liquid methanol, may result in a small improvement in thermal efficiency in the low power range; dissociated methanol is a better fuel than steam reformed methanol for use in a spark ignition engine; and use of dissociated or steam reformed methanol may result in lower exhaust emissions compared to liquid methanol.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Portions as illegible in microfiche products.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Texas A&M University, College Station

    College Station, TX  United States  77840
  • Authors:
    • Lalk, T R
    • McCall, D M
    • McCanlies, J M
  • Publication Date: 1984-5

Media Info

  • Pagination: 145 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00391455
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Energy Research Abstracts
  • Report/Paper Numbers: DOE/NBB-0064, DOE/NASA-0142-1
  • Contract Numbers: AI01-77CS51044
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM