Field reliability of methanol aspirated diesel commercial vehicles

Sie sind hier: Homepage > Suche

Field reliability of methanol aspirated diesel commercial vehicles

Gandhi, K.K. / Jain, A.K. / Dutta, J.S. / Singh, I.P.

Alcohols are considered seriously as alternate fuels of the future. IIP in its programme on alternate fuel for diesel vehicles, developed a retrofit dual fuel system for alcohol induction in automotive diesel vehicles. Performances studies in the field and laboratory chassis dynamometer on two popular makes of diesel vehicles with methanol induction showed 20-25 percent diesel replacement with better combustion efficiency. 12 percent boost in power with 20 percent reduction in visible smoke as compared to diesel operation. The exhaust temperatures were also lower. Fields trials were conducted on Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (VC) using the methanol dual-fuel system. The vehicles put in 42.000 km and 37.000 km respectively in the field without any operational problems. The study showed reliability of operation with an overall diesel replacement of 15 and 20 percent for LCV and HCV respectively. The engine deposits, oil degradation, wear, sludge and rust evaluation showed comparable values to that of vehicles operating on diesel fuel alone. The study proved that methanol can be used as a diesel fuel extended in the Indian condition.