Evaluation of Butanol–Gasoline Blends in a Port Fuel-injection, Spark-Ignition Engine

Abstract

This paper assesses different butanol–gasoline blends used in a port fuel-injection, spark-ignition engine to quantify the influence of butanol addition on the emission of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide. Furthermore, in-cylinder pressure was measured to quantify combustion stability and to compare the ignition delay and fully developed turbulent combustion phases as given by 0%–10% and 10%–90% Mass Fraction Burned (MFB). The main findings are: 1) a 40% butanol/60% gasoline blend by volume (B40) minimizes HC emissions; 2) no significant change in NOx emissions were observed, with the exception of the 80% butanol/20% gasoline blend; 3) the addition of butanol improves combustion stability as measured by the COV of IMEP; 4) butanol added to gasoline reduces ignition delay (0%–10% MFB); and 5) the specific fuel consumption of B40 blend is within 10% of that of pure gasoline for stoichiometric mixture.