Engine, internal combustion alcohol fuels

The alcohols that can be used for motor fuels are methanol (CH3OH), ethanol (C2H5OH), propanol (C3H7OH), and butanol (C4H,OH). However only the first two of the alcohols are technically and economically suitable as fuels for internal combustion engines (ICEs). Main conunercial bioalcohols from renewable feedstocks are bioethanol and biomethanol in the world s energy market. 

Alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol can be used as alternate motor fuels. Practically, any of the orgaitic molecules of the alcohol family can be used as a fuel. However, only methanol and ethanol fuels are techitically and economically suitable for internal combustion engines (ICEs). 

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol, freezing point -114.1°C, boiling point 78.3°C, density 0.7893, flashpoint 14°C) is also named, industrial alcohol, grain alcohol, and alcohol. Ethyl alcohol is miscible in all proportions with water or with ether. When ignited, ethyl alcohol burns in air with a pale blue, transparent flame, producing water and carbon dioxide. The vapor forms an explosive mixture with air and is used in some internal combustion engines under compression as a fuel such mixtures are frequently referred to as gasohol. 

Fig. 1. Ignition diagram for a typical hydrocarbon and oxygen mixture 1, conversion (by ignition) of chemical energy, e.g. turbo-jet engine 2, conversion (by ignition) of chemical energy to heat and mechanical energy, e.g. internal combustion engine 3, conversion of fuels to potentially useful chemicals, e.g. O-heterocycles and 4, controlled conversion of fuels to useful chemicals, e.g. alcohols, peroxides, aldehydes, ketones, etc. (From ref. 1.)...

Alcohol and Benzol as a Fuek—Quite recently the London General Omnibus Company have been experimenting with a mixture of alcohol and benzol as a fuel for the internal combustion engine. Neither bums so rapidly as petrol, and the use of the mixture necessitates constructional alteration in the engine, with special reference to the compression, carburettor, and heating of the induction pipes. A 50 per cent, mixture was found to be the most satisfactory, its efficiency as compared with petrol was as 12 5 is to 15. 

If one accepts, however, that the long range price of oil and energy will continue to increase, then ethyl alcohol as a liquid fuel, especially for internal combustion spark ignition engines, will continue to be a potentially viable alternative fuel source. The fact that alcohol may be profitably manufactured from a variety of crop and forest residues, as well as from grains themselves, enhances its appeal to farm producers. 

In W. Gardner s Chemical Synonyms and Trade Names (5th ed 1948) ACETOL is also found as a proprietary name to designate cellulose acetate material in the form of flake, and as a synonym for acetal or diethyl aldehyde used as a hypnotic, and last as a trademark for a liquid fuel for internal combustion engines containing 80% alcohol and 20% other materials including acetylene. 

Combustion of fuels in internal combustion engines, causes emissions of aldehydes. Aldehydes are either formed in the cold zones of the combustion chamber, in the exhaust pipe or over the oxidation catalyst by partial oxidation of unbumed alcohol. Acetaldehyde is the principal aldehyde formed in ethanol combustion and it is one of the compounds, which the US Enviromnental Rotection Agency proposes as a future regulated pollutant. Acetic acid, which has a characteristic smell and can be experienced as an irritant far below directly hazardous concentrations, can also appear in the exhaust from ethanol-fuelled vehicles. Consequently, it is important to minimize these emissions. 

The prognosis, then, for road transportation is for a varied mix of propulsion systems and fuels as conventional petroleum becomes less plentiful and prices rise. Internal combustion engines operating with synthetic liquid fuels (hydrocarbons, alcohols and bio-diesel) are expected to appear in increasing numbers, often supported by hybrid electric drives to reduce fuel consumption. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may become popular when more durable and affordable batteries become available. This would allow the power source to be part liquid fuel and part mains electricity. Some of the major obstacles to be overcome with hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are ... 

Trees, grasses and other vegetation grown specially for use as a fuel or for extracting plant oils or alcohols that may be used as fuels in internal combustion engines. 

The use of methanol or ethanol as fuels started with the replacement of steam engines for farm machinery and train locomotives and, at the end of the nineteenth century, alcohols were used in internal combustion engines (ICE). During the first decade of the twentieth century, alcohols lost the race against gasoline-powered automobiles, even when they released less contaminants, a fact that deserved not concern at that time. The main reason for that was economic alcohols could not... 

Internal combustion (IC) engines for motor vehicles are of two kinds spark ignition (SI) and compression ignition (diesel). The SI engines use gasoline, alcohol, or compressed natural gas fluids (propane) or compressed natural gas as fuel introduce the fuel to the cylinder by carburation or injection and use a spark plug for ignition. Diesel en-... 

Agarwal, A. K. (2007). Biofuels (alcohols and biodiesel) applications as fuels for internal combustion engines. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 33, 233—271. 

Cells and heat engines. Methanol (CHjOH, wood alcohol ) has been proposed as a future fuel. It can be produced from coal, wood, garbage, or sewage it can be burned in an internal-combustion engine (pure or mixed with gasoline) or in a fuel cell. For the reaction... 

---