RESULTS FROM THE SECOND YEAR OF OPERATION OF THE FEDERAL METHANOL FLEET AT ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY

Argonne National Laboratory has completed two full years of operation of 19 vehicles for the Federal Methanol Fleet Project; ten of the vehicles are fueled with methanol. Over one-half million miles have been accumulated on the fleet vehicles so far, and comparisons of efficiency continue to show nearly equal performance between the methanol and gasoline vehicles. Emissions tests of some of the vehicles during the second year revealed degradations of emissions control systems for both the methanol and gasoline vehicle types, although emissions were still within limits. Methanol vehicles continued to require more maintenance, and the maintenance labor intensity (hours per 1000 miles) increased for all the vehicle types being monitored. Accumulation of metals in the lubricating oil continued to be elevated compared to that of the gasoline vehicles although not at alarming levels. Drivers indicated less satisfaction with vehicles in the test during the second year, both for methanol and gasoline vehicles,

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted.
• Corporate Authors:

  Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  P. O. Box 2008
  Oak Ridge, TN  United States  37831
• Authors:
  • McGill, R N
  • WEST, B H
  • Hillis, S L
  • HODGSON, J W
• Publication Date: 1989-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 51 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Drivers; Fleet management; Gasoline engines; Labor costs; Lubricating oils; Maintenance; Metals; Methanol; Performance tests; Pollutants; Reaction time; Research projects
• Uncontrolled Terms: Degradation; Driver reaction; Fleets
• Old TRIS Terms: Labor intensive
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Research; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00494869
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: ORNL/TM-11230
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 1990 12:00AM