Experimental investigation of power performance and emission characteristics using M15 methanol-gasoline as vehicle fuel

The engine dynamic properties, fuel economy and exhaust emission characteristics of vehicles using low proportion M15 methanol-gasoline and 93# gasoline were studied by means of total power, load test under stable condition, and road test. Bench test shows that the engine dynamic ability, acceleration performance, total power and minimum fuel consumption rate between M15 methanol-gasoline and GB 93# gasoline were quite equal and well-matched. Road test indicates that the oil consumption, when using M15 methanol-gasoline as fuel, is slighty higher than that of GB 93# gasoline, which is 1.02:1.0 in average. When using M15 methanol-gasoline instead of GB 93# gasoline, exhaust emission test proves that the amount of HC, CO in tail gas is greatly reduced by 12%-61% and 18%-75%, respectively. The exhaust NOx emission for Kia and Jin Bei vehicles is increased by 1.0%-12%, while it is reduced by 34.1% for Passat vehicle. It is noticed that the formaldehyde in exhaust emission is a little lower than GB 93# gasoline, which may be attributed to vehicle condition and different additive technology adopted in M15 methanol-gasoline blending.