ANOTHER LOOK AT METHANOL

Consideration is being given currently to making large quantities of methanol from corn, grain, or coal. Methanol is desirable as a motor fuel because of its high octane quality and, even more impressive, as an additive to "boost" gasoline's octane quality. A test program conducted with six 1971 cars to study the effect of 10% methanol on fuel economy and driveability showed that the use of methanol can be beneficial if air/fuel ratios are properly selected. At 14% lean methanol showed better driveability, better thermal efficiency, and much lower carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide levels compared to gasoline running 5% lean. Methanol is not a useful additive for existing unmodified cars, however. It could be used effectively in special vehicles designed to handle the corrosion, water absorption, and vaporization characteristics of its combustion. The cost of manufacture and distribution in a separate system that overcomes the water sensitivity problem will determine the extent of methanol's use.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2240909
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Based on SAE Paper 750123 by J.C. Ingamells and R.H. Lindguist.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers

  485 Lexington Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10017

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Publication Date: 1975-4

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 38-42
• Serial:
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Volume: 83
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • ISSN: 0098-2571

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles by type; Energy; Fuel air mixtures; Fuel consumption; Gasoline; Methanol; Motor fuels; Octane number; Thermal efficiency
• Uncontrolled Terms: Air fuel ratio; Vehicle make
• Old TRIS Terms: Octane rating
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00095031
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE Paper No. 750123
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 7 1975 12:00AM