A cold start scheme for methanol fueled engines

Replacing gasoline fueled engines with methanol fueled engines has recently - begun in areas with chronic air pollution. Unfortunately, methanol's low air-fuel ratio, low vapor pressure and high latent heat of evaporation result in cold start problems. It was the objective of this study to develop a system that would permit a methanol fueled (M100) engine to start at -20°F within 15 seconds after the initiation of cranking. The cold start strategy investigated in this study uses a burner operating with a rich methanol air diffusion flame to dissociate methanol into hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) The products of the fuel-rich combustion are used as fuel to start the engine. Exhaust analysis of the burner designed in this study show it contained 17.6% H₂ and 14.2% CO by volume. The results of five cold tests showed that it is possible to start a methanol fueled engine at or below -20°F. Continuous idle was sustained in 35 seconds after the initiation of cranking. It is recommended that further analysis of the burner exhaust would allow better control of the air-fuel ratio entering the test engine. It is also recommended that a study be undertaken to make the concept more feasible for automotive use.