Small Engine Blended Ethanol Tem
Location
CSU 201
Start Date
5-4-2010 1:00 PM
End Date
5-4-2010 3:00 PM
Student's Major
Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Gary Mead
Mentor's Department
Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
The purpose of this study was to determine the durability, wear, emissions, performance, and reliability of small gasoline engines running on E0, E10, E15, and E20. E10 being 90% gasoline and 10% fuel grade ethanol by volume. In 2005, the state of Minnesota passed legislation requiring 20% ethanol blended with 80% gasoline (E20), be available State wide by 2013. E10 is currently mandated at all pumps in Minnesota. Currently there is not enough data on the affects of ethanol blends in small spark ignition engines less than 25 horsepower. Without sufficient testing, it is difficult to predict how various engines will react to increased ethanol content in gasoline.
Three engine technologies were tested, and four identical engines from each technology were used to conduct the research. Each of the four identical engines ran on a different blend at the same time and was compared to the initial baseline testing data. These four engines were closely evaluated, after aging them for a specified time to identify if the blends of ethanol caused emissions, performance, or durability issues.
Emissions were evaluated throughout the useful life of the engine and compared to the baseline results to distinguish the effects that the various blends may have had on emissions. Throughout the tests, the durability, and various temperatures were also measured and recorded. Lastly, the performance of the engines was looked at throughout the research by testing starting performance.
Small Engine Blended Ethanol Tem
CSU 201
The purpose of this study was to determine the durability, wear, emissions, performance, and reliability of small gasoline engines running on E0, E10, E15, and E20. E10 being 90% gasoline and 10% fuel grade ethanol by volume. In 2005, the state of Minnesota passed legislation requiring 20% ethanol blended with 80% gasoline (E20), be available State wide by 2013. E10 is currently mandated at all pumps in Minnesota. Currently there is not enough data on the affects of ethanol blends in small spark ignition engines less than 25 horsepower. Without sufficient testing, it is difficult to predict how various engines will react to increased ethanol content in gasoline.
Three engine technologies were tested, and four identical engines from each technology were used to conduct the research. Each of the four identical engines ran on a different blend at the same time and was compared to the initial baseline testing data. These four engines were closely evaluated, after aging them for a specified time to identify if the blends of ethanol caused emissions, performance, or durability issues.
Emissions were evaluated throughout the useful life of the engine and compared to the baseline results to distinguish the effects that the various blends may have had on emissions. Throughout the tests, the durability, and various temperatures were also measured and recorded. Lastly, the performance of the engines was looked at throughout the research by testing starting performance.
Recommended Citation
Shult, Matthew and Andy Dick. "Small Engine Blended Ethanol Tem." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 5, 2010.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2010/oral-session-05/7
