INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF METHANOL-GASOLINE BLENDS

An 18-month field test was conducted to determine if the Virginia Department of Highways & Transportation should give serious consideration to the use of methanol as a substitute for gasoline in the operation of its motor vehicles. Five of the eight 1873 and 1974 model vehicles involved in the test were operated for a total of 92,000 miles on a fuel blend containing an average of 10.7% methanol and 89.3% lead-free gasoline. The vehicles operating on the blend averaged 4.0% fewer miles per gallon but were 1.3% more efficient from a miles/Btu standpoint than the vehicles operating on lead-free gasoline. Since methanol and gasoline are not completely miscibile at all temperatures and moisture conditions, a major effort was required to properly store and dispense the desired blend. From a consideration of economic and supply factors, it was concluded that the use of methanol-gasoline blends in Department vehicles would not be justified at this time. Implementation would require that special attention be directed to vehicular adjustments and to the storage and handling of the blends.

  • Record URL:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council

    Charlottesville, VA  United States 

    Virginia Department of Highways

    Traffic and Planning Division, 1221 East Broad Street
    Richmond, VA  United States  23219
  • Authors:
    • Sprinkel, M M
  • Publication Date: 1977-11

Media Info

  • Pagination: 31 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00392155
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: VHTRC 78-R18 Final Rpt.
  • Files: NTL, TRIS, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM