Seven current-production automobiles were used in a fleet study to determine the long-term effects and end-use influences of using 10% methanol/90% gasoline blends as automotive fuels. The vehicles were operated over a course designed to accumulate mileage at a rate and duty cycle similar to automobiles used by the private sector in the US. Vehicle tests were run at each 5000-mile accumulation interval to determine the fuel economy and the mass of pollutant emissions generated by the vehicles operating on the 10% methanol blend and to establish a basis for comparison on an unleaded, low-octane Indolene. These data showed an average reduction in volumetric fuel economy (approximately 5%) and a consistent reduction in carbon monoxide emissions associated with the use of the 10% methanol blend. At the end of 50,000 miles of operation on the blend, the engine and fuel handling systems in four of the vehicles were disassembled for inspection and rating to identify any significant wear or materials incompatibility problems associated with long-term operation on the methanol blend. Crankcase lubricants were changed at 5000-mile intervals. Subsequent analyses of the used lubricants did not reveal any significant abnormalities that would indicate an adverse fuel/lubricant interaction. Two of the vehicles were used in Sealed Housing for Evaporative Determination tests using low-octane Indolene and a 10% methanol/90% Indolene blend. The data from these tests showed a significant increase in evaporative emissions associated with short-term use of the methanol blends and an even greater increase when the methanol blend is used for extended periods. (ERA citation 06:007896)


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    Title :

    Fleet Trials Using Methanol/Gasoline Blends


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1980


    Size :

    10 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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