Performance characteristics of single-cylinder spark-ignition engine and its pollutant emissions by using methanol and ethanol fuel blended with gasoline

Abstract

<strong>Introduction:</strong>Increasing air pollution is one of the problems of living in large cities. Motor vehicles are the main source of emissions of these pollutants. Petroleum derivatives, especially gasoline, are the most important fuel for internal combustion engines. The fuel consumption of these engines causes excess emissions of pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. Therefore, the use of an alternative fuel seems necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate performance characteristics of single-cylinder spark-ignition engine and its pollutant emissions by using methanol and ethanol fuel blended with gasoline.<br /> <strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, Honda single-cylinder four-stroke engine was used. Gasoline was prepared from the locations of the National Oil Distribution Company and separately mixed with methanol and ethanol in different proportions. The tests were performed at 2 engine speeds including 2000 and 4000 rpm. Obtained data were analyzed by SPSS 16.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong>The results showed that the combination of methanol fuel with gasoline in variable proportions produced less pollutant at low engine speed compared to that of ethanol fuel. Similarly, this result was also observed at high engine speed. Therefore, methanol fuel is more suitable as an alternative to fossil fuels such as gasoline in terms of emission of pollutants. Regarding the average amount of total emissions resulted from consumption of alternative fuels combined with gasoline, it can be said that the amount of pollutant production decreases with increasing methanol and ethanol content.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The use of methanol and ethanol as an alternative fuel to gasoline in automobiles reduces pollutant emissions Therefore, the problem of pollutants produced by gasoline engines can be significantly reduced through replacing gasoline by ethanol and methanol, and this replacement can result in improvement of health and satisfaction of the people.