Intermediate Alcohol-Gasoline Blends, Fuels for Enabling Increased Engine Efficiency and Powertrain Possibilities

CATEGORY: HIGH EFFICIENCY ENGINE
SAE Int. J. Fuels Lubr. 7(1):29-47, 2014, Paper #: 2014-01-1231, Published: 2014-04-01, DOI: 10.4271/2014-01-1231
Intermediate Alcohol-Gasoline Blends, Fuels for Enabling Increased Engine Efficiency and Powertrain Possibilities
Derek Splitter, James Szybist
Oak Ridge National Lab
Abstract:
Reports an experimental study of spark-ignited combustion with 87 AKI E0 gasoline in its neat form and in mid-level alcohol-gasoline blends with 24% vol./vol. iso-butanol-gasoline (IB24) and 30% vol./vol. ethanol-gasoline (E30).
Researchers employed a single-cylinder research engine with a low and high compression ratio of 9.2:1 and 11.85:1 respectively. The engine was equipped with hydraulically actuated valves, laboratory intake air, and capability of external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). All fuels were operated to full-load conditions with λ=1, using both 0% and 15% external cooled EGR. Results showed that higher octane number bio-fuels better utilize higher compression ratios with high stoichiometric torque capability. The results showed that E30 may further the downsizing and downspeeding of engines by achieving increased low speed torque, even with high compression ratios. They indicate that at mid-level alcohol-gasoline blends, engine and vehicle optimization can offset the reduced fuel energy content of alcohol-gasoline blends, as well as reducing vehicle fuel consumption and tailpipe CO₂ emissions.
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