Methanol and petrol blended alternate fuel for future sustainable engine: A performance and emission analysis

There is worldwide search for suitable alternate fuels that can replace currently adopted fossil-based resource. Such replacement should conform to existing automobiles without altering its emission and performance characteristics. As a result of continuous research, the alcohol blends are found to be as good as petrol/diesel as fuel to use in automotive engines. Still there is lack of detailed investigations on methanol and petrol blend as alternate fuel and its effect on exhaust emission and noise pollution. The main objective of this study is to fully evaluate the effects of petrol methanol blend on the emission and performance of engine and its noise level. Petrol blended with 5%, 10% and 15% of methanol was used in three separate tests, which are conducted at constant torque and variable speed conditions. The exhaust emission analysis was done using a six gases emission analyzer. The emission level was measured, while the engine was mounted in a special purpose engine test bed fitted with an eddy current dynamometer capable of controlling the speed and torque of the engine. The noise level of the silencer was also measured to understand the effects of methanol percentage on knocking of the engine. The analysis predicts the blend of 5%, 10% and 15% methanol with petrol exhibited less emission and knocking behavior compared to pure petrol. In some cases the NOx emission of richer blend was higher than that of leaner ones. But other emission constituents were significantly reduced due to use methanol blend in place of petrol.