Abnormal combustion - methanol versus gasoline

Abstract

The maximum efficiency of conventional gasoline engines is largely determined by the compression ratio, and this is limited by the onset of kno8k. The maximum cylinder size is similarly constrained. The relatively higher knock resistance of methanol opens up possibilities for increased efficiency or engine size. The auto-ignition of methanol and gasoline was characterised in terms of fundamental parameters and the results were compared. The research findings were used in the analysis of a particular combustion chamber design to assess the potential of using squish as a means of avoiding knock in a large, spark-ignition methanol engine.