Evaluation of the Effects of Methanol and Ethanol Additions on Performance and Emissions in a Spark Plug Ignition Engine Fueled with Gasoline

Abstract

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of addition of methanol and ethanol (5% - 10% and 15%) as a fuel at low rates to gasoline fuel against performance, and emissions characteristics. The experiments were carried out in a single cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled spark plug ignition engine at various engine loads (2 - 2.5 - 3 - 3.5 and 4 Nm) and constant engine speed (2500 rpm). Performance, and emission characteristics of gasoline, methanol-gasoline and ethanol-gasoline blends were evaluated. When the results are examined, with the addition of ethanol and methanol, the specific fuel consumption and specific energy consumption in-creased, while the brake thermal efficiency decreased. Apart from that, CO and HC emissions have improved. The lowest CO and HC emissions were obtained in G85M15 and G85E15 fuels, respectively. Compared to gasoline, a reduction in CO and HC emissions of over 50% was observed.

Keywords

• Ethanol
• Engine performance
• Exhaust emissions
• Methanol

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