Performance and Emissions Characteristics of a Spark Ignition Engine Fueled with Dissociated and Steam-Reformed Methanol

Dynamometer tests were conducted with a 2.3 liter four cylinder engine fueled with simulated dissociated and steam reformed methanol (2 H₂+ CO and 3 H₂ + CO₂ respectively), and liquid methanol. Operation was characterized by flashback (violent propagation of a flame into the intake manifold ) which limited operation to lower power output than was obtainable using liquid methanol. It was concluded that: an automobile could not be operated solely on dissociated or steam reformed methanol over the entire required power range — a supplementary fuel system or power source would be necessary to attain the higher power levels; the use of reformed methanol, compared to liquid methanol, may result in a small improvement in thermal efficiency in the low power range; dissociated methanol is a better fuel than steam reformed methanol for use in a spark ignition engine; and use of dissociated or steam reformed methanol may result in lower exhaust emissions compared to liquid methanol.