Conversion of a Two-Stroke Diesel Bus Engine to Methanol Fuel

THE METHANOL BUS ENGINE CONVERSION PROGRAM HAS AS ITS PRIMARY FOCUS THE MODIFICATION OF A DETROIT DIESEL ALLISON (DDA) 6V-71N DIESEL-CYCLE ENGINE FROM DIESEL FUEL TO NEAT METHANOL. THIS ENGINE IS CURRENTLY INSTALLED IN APPROXIMATELY 70 PERCENT OF U.S. TRANSIT BUSES. A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF THESE ENGINES ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN SERVICE FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. DEVELOPMENT OF A METHANOL CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY FOR THESE ENGINES WILL ALLOW TRANSIT PROPERTIES THAT ARE PROPERLY PREPARED TO QUICKLY SWITCH TO A NON-PETROLEUM FUEL DURING TIMES OF PETROLEUM SHORTAGE. THIS PAPER PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF A PROGRAM TO DEVELOP A METHANOL ENGINE CONVERSION KIT FOR THE DDA 6V-71N TRANSIT ENGINE, AND PRESENTS THE DETAILED FINDINGS OF THE FIRST PHASES OF THIS MULTI-PHASED EFFORT.