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

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory has completed its second year of operation of ten vehicles for the Federal Methanol Fleet Project; five of the vehicles are fueled with methanol. Over 56,000 miles were accumulated on the vehicles in the second year bringing the total to over 152,000 miles. Energy consumption for the methanol cars was slightly higher than that of the gasoline cars again this year, most likely as a result of shorter average trip lengths for the methanol gas. Iron and lead have accumulated at greater rates in the lubricating oil of the methanol cars. Driver's ratings of vehicles reflected some dissatisfaction with the cold-weather performance of the methanol cars, but the cars have no special provisions for cold weather starting, and the fuel vapor pressure has not been tailored to the season as at other test sites. Otherwise, drivers' opinions of the methanol cars have been favorable.

• Corporate Authors:

  Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  P. O. Box 2008
  Oak Ridge, TN  United States  37831
• Authors:
  • WEST, B H
  • McGill
  • Hillis, S L
• Publication Date: 1990-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 45 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cold weather; Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Fleet management; Fuel systems; Fuels; Lubricating oils; Methanol; Operations; Performance; Starting (Driving)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fleets; Starting
• Old TRIS Terms: Fueling systems
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Energy; Environment; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00610609
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: ORNL/TM-11622
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 1991 12:00AM