Energy efficiency gasoline engines

The best efficiency attainable from a gasoline engine of specified power rating depends heavily on four parameters compression ratio, air/fuel ratio, spark timing, and the fraction of the mechanical energy developed in the cylinder or cylinders devot-... 

There is a major potential for energy conservation in transportation, by increasing the energy efficiency of automobiles. The recent commercialization of hybrid vehicles, which combine electric and gasoline motors, demonstrates how much more efficient automobile transport can be. Hybrid power systems deliver double the fuel efficiency of conventional engines. Moreover, as fuel cells are perfected, even greater energy efficiencies may be achieved. 

Natural gas (NG) consists of 85-95% methane (CH ), which is the simplest hydrocarbon. NG is the cleanest burning alternative fuel. Exhaust emissions from NG vehicles are much lower than those from gasoline-powered vehicles. Combustion of NG reduces carbon dioxide content compared with diesel, but the lost efficiency when the Otto process is used means that carbon dioxide emissions increase. All in all combustion of NG in a gasoline engine gives rise to about as much carbon dioxide as the combustion of diesel in a diesel engine, measured in units of energy. 

A blend of 15% methanol with gasoline (M15 blend) is the most practical initial approach because it requires only minor adjustments to engine fuel systems and is interchangeable with gasoline. It also provides a 3% improvement in energy efficiency, which largely offsets the lower heating value of methanol. 

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