Flex Fuel Retrofit Device Research

Presenter Information

Michael Adams, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Alex Boser, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Ross Haliburton, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Keith Igoe, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Kenton Johnson, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Anton Nasledov, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Alex Palamari, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Curtis Wilson, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 253/254

Start Date

27-4-2009 9:30 AM

End Date

27-4-2009 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Bruce Jones

Mentor's Department

Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

With the rise in fuel prices, a number of consumers are searching for a feasible alternative to gasoline fuel. Ethanol is one available alternative. Flex Fuel Retrofit Kits offer the ability to utilize E85 (composed of up to 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) in consumer vehicles. These retrofit kits are an alternative to factory produced flexible fuel vehicles since they can be used to modify existing vehicles. This project encompassed testing 3 styles of such retrofit kits. The kits were installed on a vehicle and tested for drivability, OBD II compliance, emissions, and fuel economy. The test results were analyzed for statistical significance and the advantages and disadvantages of each kit were weighed.