Comparative Analysis of a Four Stroke Spark Ignition Engine Performance Using Local Ethanol and Gasoline Blends

Abstract

This paper presents performance of gasoline engine under locally produced ethanol blended with gasoline. A naturally aspirated four stroke single cylinder spark ignition engine test bed was used at various engine speeds. Different proportion of ethanol-gasoline blends were tested; E0 (0% ethanol and 100% gasoline), E1 (1% ethanol and 99% gasoline), E3 (3% ethanol and 97% gasoline) and E5 (5% ethanol and 95% gasoline). Using a sample size of 100, data were collected and analysed for all the fuel samples tested at different test conditions. The result showed improved engine performance with locally produced ethanol – gasoline blends. The maximum engine performance was attained by E3 at full load throttle condition. The local ethanol-gasoline blends gave a better engine performance over pure gasoline at different test condition. In conclusion, the study proved that locally produced ethanol can be used as a substitute to highly purified ethanol as additive in gasoline.