Engine Wear with Methanol Fuel in a Nitrogen-Free Environment.
Abstract
Several test programs have shown that the combustion of methanol in spark ignition engines can cause unusually high corrosive wear of the upper cylinder bore and ring areas. In this study, a 2.3-liter engine fueled with methanol was operated in a nitrogen-free atmosphere to determine the importance of nitric acid in the corrosin mechanism. A 20-hour steady-state test was carried out using neat methanol as the fuel and a mixture of oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide in place of air. The intake and exhaust gases were frequently analyzed to be sure their compositions were constant and free of nitrogen. Emission measurements showed only trace amounts (1 ppm) of NOx in the exhaust. Analysis of the condensates from the exhaust and blow also showed that the wear indicated by iron buildup in the lubricant was essentially the same in the nitrogen-free test as that detected in baseline engine tests combusting methanol-air mixtures. It was concluded that nitric acid does not play a role in the corrosion of the upper cylinder bore and ring areas of methanol-fuelded engines. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA143530
Entities
People
- D. M. Yost
- D. W. Naegeli
- E. C. Owens Jr
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute