METHANOL AS A GASOLINE EXTENDER -- FUEL ECONOMY, EMISSIONS, AND HIGH TEMPERATURE DRIVEABILITY

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 showed that methanol's effect on fuel economy and emissions could be directly related to its leaning effect on carburetion. In a 13-car driveability study, a marked increase in vapor locking tendency was observed when no front-end volatility adjustments were made to the methanol blends. Stretchiness, a lock of expected response to throttle movement, was also found with the methanol blends. 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. The use of methanol in applications other than in motor gasoline would be preferred.

• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers

  485 Lexington Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10017
• Authors:
  • Wigg, E E
  • Lunt, R S
• Publication Date: 1974-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 13 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Blends; Carburetion; Energy conversion; Exhaust gases; Fuel consumption; Gasoline; Methanol; Pollutants; Vapor lock; Volatility
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00083956
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE Paper No. 741008
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 22 1975 12:00AM