A field test with different alcohol fuels was carried out at the Technical Research Centre of Finland in 1981-1984. The test involved 19 passenger cars. The engines of the test vehicles were dismantled both before and after the test. In addition to engine wear, driveability was also studied during the test. Finland's cold climate emphasizes difficulties arising with alcohol fuels. E15/M15 fuels demand only minor adjustment in the fuel systems to restore driveability. E15 fuel was used both in new and old cars and this fuel did not cause any corrosion problems. M15 is a more difficult fuel both in regard to corrosion and fuel stability. None of the test engines showed signs of accelerated wear of the kind that could have shortened the lifetime of the engine considerably. Cylinders, piston rings, earings and valve train were monitored. Temperature has a strong effect on engine wear and the driveability of engines running on neat alcohol have been presented. For these reasons the Research Centre developed, in cooperation with Oy Saab-Valmet Ab, a dual fuel system for gasoline and alcohol. The system is automatic and change-over from gasoline to alcohol takes place at a coolant temperature of 70 deg C. In two series of tests dual fuel cars and cars with a simple fuel system (gasoline as starting aid) were compared regarding engine wear and driveability. The second series of tests involved 2+2 cars. Each car was driven 50,000 km. The driveability of the dual fuel car does not differ from that of a normal gasoline vehicle. Including the portion of gasoline in the main M90 fuel, the part of energy coming gasoline was 30-40%. The cam/tappet mechanism was found critical with regard to wear. In the most severe operating conditions only the dual fuel system can prevent the engine from excessive wear. A very efficient system for preheating the inlet air was used in all neat alcohol test vehicles. (ERA citation 12:031073)
Alcohol Fuels in Spark Ignition Engines. Use Characteristics and Engine Wear
1986
149 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
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