This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Lubrication Studies in a Methanol-Fueled Spark Ignition Engine
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Methanol continues to be an important alternative fuel candidate for use in spark ignition engines. In addition to its potential as an alternative energy source, methanol has been claimed to provide benefits in possibly reducing reactive hydrocarbon emissions which contribute to ozone formation. This has resulted in considerable interest in using methanol fuels in several U.S. urban areas to assist in air pollution reduction. As a result of government incentives on these issues, engine builders are now developing new generations of vehicles capable of operating on methanol. Lubrication of these engines will require methanol-compatible oil formulations. Test work has shown that some current quality engine oils, designed for use with gasoline fuel, severely limit engine durability due to excessive wear of the valve train, cylinder bore, and bearings. A laboratory engine test program using a 2.3-liter engine has been conducted to evaluate methanol-fueled engine lubrication. After establishing the performance of selected reference oils, alternate formulations have been developed providing satisfactory wear protection. Oil formulations using synthetic base stocks offer important advantages for an all-seasons oil tailored for use in methanol-fueled engines. A severe over-the-road field test focusing on short-trip, cold-start operation using a methanol-fueled vehicle was conducted to demonstrate the performance of a synthetic product developed for use with methanol fuel.
METHYL ALCOHOL, or methanol, represents one of the most promising alternative fuels available today for use in current spark ignition internal combustion engines. Methanol can be made available from alternate energy sources, such as coal, natural gas, and/or organic biomass materials. In addition, methanol offers the potential for possibly reducing reactive vehicle hydrocarbon emissions which contribute to ozone formation. Methanol is also particularly attractive compared to other alternate fuels in that it can be used in current engine designs with minimal conversion effort and cost. As a result of these factors, interest and research into the use of methanol has been pursued by engine manufacturers, commercial vehicle operators, and government energy and environmental agencies.
The use of methanol in current engine designs presents lubrication requirements substantially different than those of conventional gasoline fuels. This has led to continuing studies on the effects of methanol by many researchers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16).∗ As has been demonstrated by this prior research, using methanol as a fuel generally promotes a cleaner lubricant environment but also induces significantly greater engine wear compared to gasoline. This wear affects engine operation and durability. However, optimized lubricant formulations can provide acceptable engine performance with methanol as demonstrated in the following laboratory engine and field testing.
Recommended Content
Authors
Topic
Citation
Buck, W., Lohuls, J., and Murphy, J., "Lubrication Studies in a Methanol-Fueled Spark Ignition Engine," SAE Technical Paper 892156, 1989, https://doi.org/10.4271/892156.Also In
References
- Schwartz, S.E. “An Analysis of Upper-Cylinder Wear with Fuels Containing Methanol,” Lubrication Engineering May 1986
- Ryan, T.W. III et al. “The Mechanisms Leading to Increased Cylinder Bore and Ring Wear in Methanol-Fueled S.I. Engines,” SAE Paper 811200 October 1981
- Chui, G.K King E.T. Groff W.P. “Modified Sequence V-D Test with Two Engines Using Alcohol Fuels,” SAE Paper 830239 February 1983
- Chaibongsai, S. Howlett B.J. Millard DHT “Development of an Engine Screening Test to Study the Effects of Methanol Fuel on Crankcase Oils,” SAE Paper 830240 February 1983
- King, E.T. Chui G.K. “Hardware Effects on the Wear of Methanol-Fueled Engines,” SAE Paper 841377 October 1984
- Naegeli, D.W. et al. “Engine Wear With Methanol Fuel in a Nitrogen-Free Environment,” SAE Paper 841374 October 1984
- Marbach, H.W. et al. “The Effects of Alcohol Fuels and Fully Formulated Lubricants on Engine Wear,” SAE Paper 811199 October 1981
- Barton, D.B. Lowther H.V. Rogers T.W. “Advantages of Synthetic Engine Oils,” SAE Paper 811413 November 1981
- McCoy, R.R. Taber D.S. “A Cold Look at Lubricants,” SAE Paper 710716 September 1971
- Naegeli D.W. Yost D.M. Owens E.C. “Engine Wear with Methanol Fuel in a Nitrogen Free Environment,” SAE Paper 841374 October 1984
- Naman, T.M. Striegler B.C. “Engine and Field Test Evaluation of Methanol as an Alternative Fuel,” SAE Paper 831703 November 1983
- Chui, G.K. Millard D.H.T. “Development of Crankcase Lubricants for Alcohol Fueled Engines,” SAE Paper 811203 October 1981
- Marbach, H.W. et al “The Effects of Lubricant Composition on S.I. Engine Wear with Alcohol Fuels,” SAE Paper 831702 November 1983
- Baisley, W.H. Edwards C.F. “Wear Characteristics of Fleet Vehicles Operating on Methyl Alcohol,” SAE Paper 811202 October 1981
- Ernst, R.J. Pefley R.K. Wiens F.J. “Methanol Engine Durability,” SAE Paper 831704 November 1983
- Chamberlin, W.B. Brandow W.C. “Lubrication Experience in Methanol Fueled Engines Under Short Trip Service Conditions,” SAE Paper 831701 November 1983
- Goyal, A.K. Willyoung R.W. “Engine Oil Filter Performance with Synthetic and Mineral Oils,” SAE Paper 850549 February 1985