An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines

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dc.contributor.advisorDutkiewicz, Ryszard Karolen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorBennett, Kevin Franken_ZA
dc.contributor.authorYates, Andrew David Bennetten_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-10-25T13:34:05Z
dc.date.available2016-10-25T13:34:05Z
dc.date.issued1981en_ZA
dc.descriptionBibliography: pages 54-61.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThe 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.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationYates, A. D. B. (1981). <i>An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Energy Research Centre. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22295en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationYates, Andrew David Bennett. <i>"An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Energy Research Centre, 1981. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22295en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationYates, A. 1981. An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Yates, Andrew David Bennett AB - 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. DA - 1981 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 1981 T1 - An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines TI - An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22295 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/22295
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationYates ADB. An estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol engines. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Energy Research Centre, 1981 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22295en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentEnergy Research Centreen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherEnergy Researchen_ZA
dc.subject.otherMechanical Engineeringen_ZA
dc.titleAn estimation of the performance of spark ignition methanol enginesen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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