Influence of Ethanol-Gasoline Fuel Fractions on Variable Compression Ratio Engine

Abstract

Increase in demand of ethanol as blending fuel with gasoline is increasing. For noting the performance of the engine, experimentations are required to be done on engine, fuelled with various percentages of ethanol in gasoline. In this study, fuel fractions of ethanol and gasoline were taken for observing the performance of spark ignition engine. One-cylinder gasoline engine was used for conducting the experiments and to analyse the effects of ethanol-gasoline fuel fraction on performance of the engine. The engine was tested at Full Open Throttle condition. The load on the engine was changed by changing the load on Eddy Current Dynamometer to vary the engine speed from 1300 to 1700 rpm in the interval of 100 rpm. Gasoline is blended with ethanol to make five fuel fractions from 0 % ethanol (E0) to 40 % ethanol (E40) in gasoline at the interval of 10% by volume. Engine performance was observed at various Compression Ratio (CR) of the engine as 7,8,9 and 10. Calorific Value (CV) of the fuel fractions observed decreasing from E0 to E40 as CV of ethanol is less than base gasoline. Increase in Brake Specific Fuel Consumption was not very significant with rise in ethanol percentage. Power outputs in terms of Brake Power (BP) was increasing with increase in speed of the engine and observed decreasing with increase in ethanol percentage at constant CR. However various engine output parameters like BP, Mechanical Efficiency found decreasing with increase in fuel fractions ratio. Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) was observed decreasing with increase in fuel fractions. However, BTE was observed increasing with increase in CR.

Effect of dimethyl carbonate addition on ethanol–gasoline fuel blend

“…Ethanol is the most common oxygenate as it is an environmentally friendly and renewable source of energy. Addition of ethanol to gasoline has several advantages for example; it improves the octane number, it contributes significantly to the improvement of the engine performance and improves the combustion process and thus improves exhaust emission [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] . The higher octane number of ethanol indicates a relatively high antiknock value, good properties, and quality at high compression ratio, thereby avoiding self-ignition at end-gas region 14,15 .…”

Prediction of ethanol-gasoline blend fuelled spark ignition engine performance using dimensional analysis

“…The requirement of alternative fuels is increasing due to stringent emission norms and depleting fossil fuels. Ethanol as an alternative fuel, blended in gasoline, gives enhanced engine performance in terms of torque, power and brake thermal efficiency (Hatte & Bhalerao, 2019). Adding the ethanol in gasoline improves the combustion parameters and engine performance in terms of brake power, brake thermal efficiency and specific fuel consumption.…”