Development of a Methanol Fueied, Turbocharged, Spark Assisted Diesel Engine and Vehicle

A Volkswagen automotive diesel engine and vehicle have been modified to use methanol fuel by the addition of a spark ignition system. The modified engine has some important advantages over conventional spark ignition (SI) engines operating on alcohol fuels and diesel engines using diesel fuel. Compared to the diesel fueled vehicle, the spark assisted methanol version showed significant improvements in NO_x while particulates were eliminated. Relative fuel consumption was slightly higher with methanol than with diesel fuel but could be improved by further development. Compared to a gasoline vehicle converted to operate on methanol the spark assisted diesel has higher efficiency with comparable NO_X and CO emissions. Unburned fuel emissions are higher for the spark assisted diesel but may be reduced to comparable levels with catalyst and engine developments.