TECHNICAL ISSUES OF INCREASED

ETHANOL BLENDS

Dr. Bruce JonesDirector

Minnesota Center for Automotive Research (MnCAR)

Minnesota State University, Mankato

GOVERNOR’S ETHANOL COALITIONST. PAUL, MN

9/26/2005

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH

To provide industry and government with technical expertise in automotive research and product development

To provide undergraduate students the opportunity to become directly involved in comprehensive research projects

MnCAR EMISSION LAB

MID RANGE ETHANOL STUDY

Conducted During 1998 and 1999 Evaluate the Effects of 30% Ethanol and 70%

Gasoline Blend on Unmodified Vehicles 1 Year Study Focusing on:

Driveability Material Compatibility / Durability Fuel Economy Emissions

E30 VEHICLE POPULATION 1985 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

CIERA 2.5L

1985 FORD ECONOLINE 150 4.9L

1990 CHEVROLET C1500 4.3L

1990 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L

1991 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE 4.9L

1992 FORD TAURUS 3.8L

1992 CHEVROLET K1500 5.7L

1992 GEO METRO 1.0L MANUAL

1994 BUICK REGAL 3.1L

1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA 3.1L

1997 CHEVROLET K3500 7.4L

1997 CHEVROLET K1500 5.7L

1997 FORD F-150 5.4L

1998 FORD F-250 5.4L

1998 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L

DRIVEABILITY RESULTS and OBSERVATIONS

Ambient Temperature Ranged from 0o F to 90o F

Standardized Form Used to Record Any Abnormal Characteristics

No Reports Of: Cold Starting or Hard Starting Problems Vapor Lock Hesitation

MATERIAL COMPATABILITY

Evaluated Through Use of Maintenance Log and Oil Analysis Testing

Results No Fuel System Component Failures Oil Analysis Results Showed No Metal

Particles Representing Accelerated Component Wear and No Indication Of Increased Oil Degradation

Critical Area Needing Further Study

VOLUMETRIC FUEL ECONOMY

Overall Fleet Average Fuel Economy Decreased 9.8%

Volumetric Fuel Economy is Directly Related to the Energy Content of the Fuel.

There is Approximately 9.5% Less Energy in a Gallon of E30 Than Gasoline

Some Vehicles are More Sensitive Than Others

PROJECTED E20 FUEL ECONOMY

E20 Blend has Approximately 3.3% Less Energy Than Current E10 Blend

Expect a Slight Decrease in MPG Fuel Economy (1%-3% from current E10 blend)

However, the Reduction Is Not Necessarily the

Same Magnitude as the Energy Density Difference

EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS

No Significant Trends Identified Pointing to Increased Levels of HC, CO and NOx

Some Vehicles Demonstrated Slightly Higher Levels While Some Lower

All Emission Results Were Low

SUMMARY OF INCREASED ETHANOL CONTENT

ENGINE CALIBRATION – Will Engines Run Properly? Unmodified Vehicles (Closed-Loop Fuel Injection) Have

Run on Blends Up To 50/50 Blends Without Problems.

Material Compatibility / Vehicle Warranty Significant Issue for Manufacturers Area Requiring Additional Research

WHY DO ENGINES RUN PROPERLY?

Closed-Loop Fuel Injection Automatically Adjusts

Air/Fuel Mixture– Optimum Performance

– Low Emissions

Oxygen Sensor (O2) Key Component Measures Excess

Oxygen in Exhaust

CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEM OPERATION

As Ethanol Content Increases:

1. Excess Oxygen in Exhaust

2. O2 Sensor “Tells” the Computer A/F is Lean

3. Computer Increases Fuel Flow

4. Adjusts Mixture Continually

E20 RESEARCH PROJECT Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council

Supported Research Project

Test Vehicle - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Will be Used For All Emissions and Fuel Economy

Testing Other Manufacturers Components will be Evaluated

Comparison of E20 Blended Gasoline Vs: Non-Oxygenated Gasoline E10 E20

CRITICAL FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS

E20 RESEARCH PROJECT Evaluate the Effects of E20 Blended Fuel On:

Emissions – Using EPA Testing Protocol

Fuel Economy – Laboratory Evaluation in Research Lab– On-Road Fuel Economy

Material Compatibility– Focus on a Variety of Manufacturers– Investigation of Materials Used in Current Fuel Systems– Laboratory Testing of Selected Components

Driveability Issues Fuel Characteristics– Volatility

QUESTIONS

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