A single cylinder engine was used to study the combustion and emission characteristics of methanol and indolene clear fuel. Measurements on ignition delays, combustion intervals, power, and exhaust emissions were made over a range of speeds, loads, and air-fuel mixture ratios (A/F). The results were used to determine the difference in relative power, efficiency and emissions between the two fuels.
Relative to indolene, methanol exhibits faster overall burning rates, (shorter ignition delay periods and combustion intervals). At the same engine air flows and equivalence ratios, methanol produces more power than indolene. Fuel consumption with methanol is higher but the energy consumption rate is lower. NO emissions with methanol are generally lower; but, depending on equivalence ratio, CO and HC emissions are less than, equal to, or greater than those with indolene fuel.