Chapter 14 - Combustion, performance, and emissions characteristics of methanol-fueled engines

Abstract

The earth’s rising temperature, energy crisis, and air pollution have become a severe threat to the current and, more important the next generation of the world’s population. Millions of people around the globe die as a result of worsening air pollution. The transport sector, which mainly uses internal combustion engines (ICEs) as the driving source, is the major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Among many alternatives, methanol is one of the best candidates either as a dedicated fuel or as a flex-fuel for ICEs, owing to its excellent physical and chemical properties, relatively cleaner combustion, and comprehensive production options. This chapter discusses the combustion, performance, and emissions behavior of methanol fuel in ICEs and how methanol can help to mitigate the problems associated with engines running on conventional fuels.