Grantee Research Project Results
On-board Generation of Ignition Improvers for Methanol Diesels
EPA Contract Number: 68D000Title: On-board Generation of Ignition Improvers for Methanol Diesels
Investigators: Karpuk, Michael E.
Small Business: TDA Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: July 1, 1990 through January 1, 1991
Project Amount: $50,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1990) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Methanol fueled diesels are an attractive means of meeting the stringent 1994 diesel particulate standards, and are a topic of intense industrial interest. Unfortunately, because of methanol's autoignition temperature is high and its ignition delay is long, some means of improving its ignition is required if it is to be used in a diesel engine. The best current method, use of high exhaust gas recirculation with a glow plug assist reduces fuel economy, increases the complexity and cost of the engine, and increases maintenance costs. A promising-solution is the on-board generation of the gaseous ignition enhancer di-methyl ether (DUE). This system will require minimal modifications to the engine design and will not degrade the thermal efficiency of the engine. However, no quantitative information is available on how to integrate DME into the combustion process, and on its effect on emissions. Therefore, TDA Research will measure the amount of DME required for efficient opera- tion as a function of engine load and speed, and to determine the effect of DUE aspiration on the emissions of CO, NOx, unburned hydrocarbons (particularly methanol and formaldehyde), and particulates.Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Waste, particulate matter, Chemical Engineering, air toxics, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry, HAPS, mobile sources, Incineration/Combustion, Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, ambient air quality, engine exhaust, Nox, Nitrogen Oxides, particulates, diesel engines, air pollutants, hydrocarbon, diesel particulates, methanol, on-board generation of ignition improvers, air pollution, diesel exhaust, di-methyl ether (DUE), combustion process, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, combustion engines, hydrocarbons, diesel exhaust particles, combustion, nitrogen oxides (Nox), methanol fueled diesel engines, ignition improversProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.