This study evaluates iso-butanol as a pathway to introduce higher levels of alternative fuels for recreational marine engine applications compared to ethanol. Butanol, a 4-carbon alcohol, has an energy density closer to gasoline than ethanol. Isobutanol at 16 vol% blend level in gasoline (iB16) exhibits energy content as well as oxygen content identical to E10. Tests with these two blends, as well as indolene as a reference fuel, were conducted on a Mercury 90 HP, 4-stroke outboard engine featuring computer controlled sequential multi-port Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI). The test matrix included full load curves as well as the 5-mode steady-state marine engine test cycle.Analysis of the full load tests suggests that equal full load performance is achieved across the engine speed band regardless of fuel at a 15-20°C increase in exhaust gas temperatures for the alcohol blends compared to indolene. This increase as well as the observed 2.5-3% point improvement in brake thermal efficiency of both alcohol blends compared to the reference fuel are caused by changes in air/fuel ratio; an effect ultimately attributable to the open loop engine control strategy. This control strategy also explains the reduced CO as well as the increased HC+NOx emissions of E10 and iB16 compared to indolene consistently observed across the 5 operating modes of the steady-state test cycle. The study also suggests that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde emissions increased with alcohol blend level.With equivalent performance and emissions compared to E10 iB16 could be a viable option for increasing renewables utilization in recreational marine engines.


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    Title :

    Impact of Blending Gasoline with Isobutanol Compared to Ethanol on Efficiency, Performance and Emissions of a Recreational Marine 4-Stroke Engine


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:
    Ickes, Andrew (author) / Sevik, James (author) / Wasil, Jeff (author) / Miers, Scott (author) / Wallner, Thomas (author)

    Conference:

    SAE 2014 World Congress & Exhibition ; 2014



    Publication date :

    2014-04-01




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English






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