Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines
Bibliography: pages 54-61.
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Energy Research Centre
2016
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613302372171776 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Yates, Andrew David Bennett |
| author2 | Dutkiewicz, Ryszard Karol |
| author_browse | Dutkiewicz, Ryszard Karol Yates, Andrew David Bennett |
| author_facet | Dutkiewicz, Ryszard Karol Yates, Andrew David Bennett |
| author_sort | Yates, Andrew David Bennett |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Bibliography: pages 54-61. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/22295 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:33:59.204Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publishDateRange | 2016 |
| publishDateSort | 2016 |
| publisher | Energy Research Centre |
| publisherStr | Energy Research Centre |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/22295 An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines Yates, Andrew David Bennett Dutkiewicz, Ryszard Karol Bennett, Kevin Frank Energy Research Mechanical Engineering Bibliography: pages 54-61. The possibility of using methanol as an alternative fuel for petrol and diesel engines has been investigated at the University of Cape Town in recent years by the Energy Research Institute. Engines, taken from existing road vehicles, were converted to methanol operation and evaluated. During the planning phase of each conversion, it was apparent that there was a need for a method of estimating the probable performance of the converted engine. The objective of this thesis was therefore to develop a generally applicable formula for predicting the rated performance of a methanol-fuelled, spark-ignition engine given only the bore, stroke, number of cylinders and maximum rated engine speed. The prediction was based on an estimate of the indicated efficiency, the volumetric efficiency and the frictional losses of a methanol engine, from which the shaft power and overall efficiency could be determined. The performance of three engines, which were converted to methanol operation, was used to test the theory. The conversions were each of a very different nature: - a) An automotive petrol engine of which only the carburettor was modified. b) An automotive petrol engine that was modified to take advantage of the properties of methanol to improve the performance. c) A truck diesel engine that was converted to spark ignition for operation on methanol. The predicted results were found to compare favourably with the experimental results, with the exception of one spurious reading. An analysis of the range of error in the theoretical estimate was used as the basis for comparison: Range of error in predicted overall efficiency ± 6%. Range of error in predicted shaft power ± 10%. The work of this thesis would be applicable in situations where a quick answer was required and few details were available. With the aid of a programmable calculator, the anticipated performance map could be obtained in a few minutes. 2016-10-25T13:34:05Z 2016-10-25T13:34:05Z 1981 Master Thesis Masters MSc http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22295 eng application/pdf Energy Research Centre Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Energy Research Mechanical Engineering Yates, Andrew David Bennett An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines |
| title_full | An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines |
| title_fullStr | An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines |
| title_full_unstemmed | An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines |
| title_short | An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines |
| title_sort | estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines |
| topic | Energy Research Mechanical Engineering |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22295 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yatesandrewdavidbennett anestimationoftheperformanceofsparkignitionmethanolengines AT yatesandrewdavidbennett estimationoftheperformanceofsparkignitionmethanolengines |