Microscopic and Macroscopic Spray Characteristics of Gasohols Using a Port Fuel Injection System

Depleting fossil-fuels and increasing harmful emissions by the combustion of fossil fuels in IC engine is a matter of great concern. It is necessary to explore solutions complying with the prevailing emission norms in different sectors. Methanol has the potential amongst all primary alcohols for widespread use in transport sector due to its clean-burning, high octane rating, sources of production like high ash coal, and biomass. The addition of methanol to gasoline can significantly reduce engine-out emissions. Gasoline-Methanol blends (Gasohols) can be used to reduce dependence of the transport sector on fossil fuels. This study deals with investigation of spray characteristics of methanol-gasoline blends as it affects engine performance and emissions characteristics to a great extent. Macroscopic and microscopic spray characteristics of different gasohols such as M15 (15% methanol blended with 85% gasoline, v/v), M85 (85% methanol blended with 15% gasoline, v/v), M100 (100% methanol), and G100 (100% Gasoline) were experimentally investigated using a port fuel multi-hole solenoid injector. A Constant Volume Spray Chamber (CVSC) having glass windows was used for the experiments at a chamber pressure of 1 bar. The fuel injection pressure was maintained at 3.5 bar. The results showed that addition of methanol in gasoline does not have significant effect on macroscopic characteristics like spray penetration length and spray cone angle. On the hand, methanol addition in gasoline has considerable effect on microscopic characteristics. Gasoline showed better atomization behavior compared to other test fuels. Methanol addition shifted the droplet distribution towards the region of higher droplet diameter and velocity.