Blended Ethanol Fuels on Small Engines
Location
CSU 203
Start Date
18-4-2016 10:00 AM
End Date
18-4-2016 11:00 AM
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
Senior students attending Minnesota State University, Mankato conducted a research study determining the effects of various low level ethanol blends on Small Non Road Engines (SNREs). Examples of SNREs would include portable generators, leaf blowers, chain saws, etc. One of the main focuses is to find possible situations that can occur in commercial and or residential equipment. It is very crucial that these appliances operate to their full potential. There have been plenty of circumstances where natural disasters have occurred and backup generators were needed. SNRE’s contain carburetors which makes it difficult to compensate for changes in fuel. While in storage ethanol can oxidize and deteriorate which leaves deposits in the fuel system and cause corrosion to the metals. The research included a storage study on 32 Troy-Bilt TB32 EC 2 cycle engines, along with 32 Honda Generators. When removed from storage, performance and emissions were tested. The fuels used in the study were E0, E10, E15 and E20. Research was performed during the beginning of the study, at 6 months and 12 months to determine whether or not the engines would perform normally with the ethanol blends. The performance tests and emission tests that were conducted show possible increases in emissions, start ability issues as well as the amount of time the engine can run without causing performance issues. When the study was completed the engines were disassemble and examined to see the effects of the fuels.
Blended Ethanol Fuels on Small Engines
CSU 203
Senior students attending Minnesota State University, Mankato conducted a research study determining the effects of various low level ethanol blends on Small Non Road Engines (SNREs). Examples of SNREs would include portable generators, leaf blowers, chain saws, etc. One of the main focuses is to find possible situations that can occur in commercial and or residential equipment. It is very crucial that these appliances operate to their full potential. There have been plenty of circumstances where natural disasters have occurred and backup generators were needed. SNRE’s contain carburetors which makes it difficult to compensate for changes in fuel. While in storage ethanol can oxidize and deteriorate which leaves deposits in the fuel system and cause corrosion to the metals. The research included a storage study on 32 Troy-Bilt TB32 EC 2 cycle engines, along with 32 Honda Generators. When removed from storage, performance and emissions were tested. The fuels used in the study were E0, E10, E15 and E20. Research was performed during the beginning of the study, at 6 months and 12 months to determine whether or not the engines would perform normally with the ethanol blends. The performance tests and emission tests that were conducted show possible increases in emissions, start ability issues as well as the amount of time the engine can run without causing performance issues. When the study was completed the engines were disassemble and examined to see the effects of the fuels.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Paris. "Blended Ethanol Fuels on Small Engines." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 18, 2016.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2016/oral-session-03/2
