METHANOL ENGINE: A TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY FOR THE POST-PETROLEUM ERA

Several types of heat engines are considered as candidates for a methanol engine. Of those considered, the stratified-charge engine appears to be the most attractive. A stratified-charge engine optimized for methanol fuel is projected to result in an energy economy advantage of 44 to 71 percent (measured in miles per Btu) in comparison to an Otto engine operating on gasoline. This advantage arises from (1) the high octane rating of the fuel, which allows a high compression ratio to be used; (2) methanol's fuel-lean combustion characteristics, which allow efficient lean operation; and (3) the low flame temperature, which allows effective control of nitrogen oxide emissions. The design and optimization of a methanol engine are examined in terms of an experimental and calculational program. The relevant properties of methanol that should prove desirable in future engines are noted, and the socioeconomic impact of methanol-fueled transportation is discussed. (ERA citation 02:003446)

• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Livermore

  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  Livermore, CA  United States  94550

  Energy Research and Development Administration

  20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Vantine, H C
  • Chang, J
  • O'Connell, L G
  • Rubin, B
  • Westbrook, C
• Publication Date: 1976-3-25

Media Info

• Pagination: 34 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Antiknock compounds; Automobiles; Calculation; Combustion; Compression; Design; Economic impacts; Energy; Exhaust gases; Feasibility analysis; Fuel air mixtures; Fuel conservation; Lean fuel mixtures; Mathematical models; Methanol; Motor fuels; Nitric oxide; Nitrogen oxides; Octane number; Optimization; Petroleum; Socioeconomic factors; Stratified charge engines
• Old TRIS Terms: Combustion properties; Compression ratio; Computer calculations; Fuel-air ratio; Lean fuel engine; Octane rating; Uses
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Energy; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00150504
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: 18
• Contract Numbers: W-7405-Eng-48
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 30 1977 12:00AM