Modeling for Mass Burning Rate and Combustion Duration in Spark Ignition Engines Using Gasohol Fuels

This paper presents an analytical model for the prediction of mass burning rates and combustion duration via analysis of pressure versus time data, physical engine design parameters, and the thermodynamic properties of the fuel. For model verification pressure and ion discharge traces were obtained for five methanol-gasoline blends burned in a single cylinder spark ignition engine. A new computational technique, built upon earlier Russian works, is presented to provide a more accurate model for the density of the combustion gases during combustion. The accuracy of the model predictions is substantiated through comparison with heat release data and flame front position data as recorded by ion discharge transducers.