Impact of Methanol–Gasoline Fuel Blends on the Performance and Exhaust Emissions of a SI Engine

Abstract

In this study, the effect of Methanol (M5, M7.5, M10, M12.5, M15) on the performance and combustion characteristics of a spark ignition engine (SI) were investigated. In the experiment, an engine with four-cylinder, four stroke, multipoint injection system (Ford, Zetec-E) was used. Performance tests were conducted for brake torque, brake power, brake thermal efficiency, volumetric efficiency, equivalence air-fuel ratio, and brake specific fuel consumption and exhaust emissions (CO, CO 2 , HC, NO x ) were analyzed under wide open throttle operating conditions and variable engine speed ranging from 1500 to 5000 rpm. The experimental results showed that the performance of engine was improved with the use of methanol. It was also shown that CO and HC emissions were reduced with the increase of methanol content while CO 2 and NOx were increased.