Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1992

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Mechanical Engineering

Major Professor

Jeff Hodgson

Committee Members

Ke Nguyen, Nella Johnson

Abstract

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.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS