EGR effect on performance of a spark ignition engine Fueled with blend of methanol-gasoline

Abstract

This paper examines the results of performance of a single cylinder spark- ignition engine fuelled with 20% methanol +80% gasoline (M20), compared to gasoline. The experiments were conducted at stoichiometric air–fuel ratio at wide open throttle and variable speed conditions, over the range of 1000 to 2600 rpm. The tests were conducted at higher useful compression ratio using optimum spark timings and adding recirculated exhaust gas with 20% to suction manifold. The test results show that the higher compression ratio for the tested gasoline was 7:1, 9.5:1 for M20 and 9:1 for M20 with added EGR. M20 at higher useful compression ratio (HUCR) and optimum spark timing (OST) characteristics are significantly different from gasoline. Within the tested speed range, M20 consistently produces higher brake thermal efficiency by about 6%. Also it resulted in approximately 3.06% lower brake specific fuel consumption compared with gasoline. Adding EGR to M20 caused reduction in HUCR and advancing the OST. This addition increased brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), reduced brake thermal energy, volumetric efficiency and exhaust gas temperatures.