The Effect of Oxygen Content in Different Oxygenate-Gasoline Blends on Performance and Emissions in a Single Cylinder, Spark-Ignition Engine

The effect of oxygenates in gasoline on exhaust emissions and performance was studied in a single cylinder, four-stroke spark-ignition engine. The performance of the engine, in terms of power output and specific fuel consumption, did not alter significantly upon the addition of oxygenates to a synthetic hydrocarbon base stock gasoline. Furthermore, the exhaust emissions (CO, HC, NOx) decreased, whilst the exhaust temperatures marginally increased with increasing oxygen content of the fuel. Oxygenates significantly decreased CO, NO_x, and HC emissions at the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio. The leaning effect of adding oxygenates is determined by the oxygen content and not the type of oxygenate, blended with the hydrocarbon base stock.