Small Engines Ethanol Research
Location
CSU 204
Start Date
4-4-2011 1:30 PM
End Date
4-4-2011 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
Ethanol is an alternative renewable fuel which is currently blended with gasoline in Minnesota and many other states to create a fuel with a 10% ethanol content (E10). Current Minnesota legislation states that by August 30, 2013 gasoline sold in Minnesota must contain at least 20% ethanol. Before a new fuel such as E20 can be used, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must conclude that the fuel will not negatively affect engines and their systems. Small engines are the most susceptible to increased ethanol concentration in gasoline because of their inability to electronically adapt to the changes in the fuel. They also make up a large percentage of all engines sold and are used in a variety of ways all over the world. The study consisted of running four different fuels in four different engines of the same model for their full useful life. The four fuels tested were E0 (0% ethanol), E10, E15, and E20. Through emissions testing, performance testing, and aging the effect that ethanol had on these engines was determined.
Small Engines Ethanol Research
CSU 204
Ethanol is an alternative renewable fuel which is currently blended with gasoline in Minnesota and many other states to create a fuel with a 10% ethanol content (E10). Current Minnesota legislation states that by August 30, 2013 gasoline sold in Minnesota must contain at least 20% ethanol. Before a new fuel such as E20 can be used, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must conclude that the fuel will not negatively affect engines and their systems. Small engines are the most susceptible to increased ethanol concentration in gasoline because of their inability to electronically adapt to the changes in the fuel. They also make up a large percentage of all engines sold and are used in a variety of ways all over the world. The study consisted of running four different fuels in four different engines of the same model for their full useful life. The four fuels tested were E0 (0% ethanol), E10, E15, and E20. Through emissions testing, performance testing, and aging the effect that ethanol had on these engines was determined.
Recommended Citation
Swensen, Kyle and Kevin Shutrop. "Small Engines Ethanol Research." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 4, 2011.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2011/oral-session-08/3
