Experimental Investigation on the Use LPG-Methanol Blends as a Fuel in Si Engine and Emissions Characteristics

Abstract

Abstract:In this study; an experiment was carried out to examine the effects of LPG-methanol fuel blends of various proportions on the emission performance of a four cylinder SI engine are experimentally investigated. Experimental study has been conducted on a four cylinder, watercooled, the engine compression ratio(9.7) and the modifications to the engine were minimal and a dual throat carburetor was used to mix LPG and methanol before being fed into the carburetor. Using engine cooling water temperature, methanol was evaporated before entering the carburetor. The methanol concentration in the blend has been changed from 5% to 25% with the increments of 5%, was added into each blends. Performance tests were conducted to determine the correct air/fuel ratio (lambda=1). Exhaust emissions were analyzed for CO, CO2, NOx, HC, O2 using LPG-methanol blends with different percentages of fuel blends at variable engine speeds ranging between 1000 and 5000 rpm SI engine. It was observed that depending on the rate of methanol increase in mixture, the CO2, CO, NOx and HC emission concentrations in the engine exhaust gases decreased.