THE INFLUENCE OF ETHANOL-GASOLINE BLENDS ON SPARK IGNITION ENGINE OPERATION, PERFORMANCE AND EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS

摘要

The paper presents besides some technical aspects regarding the use of ethanol-gasoline blends in spark ignition engines some experimental determinations corresponding to the vehicle operation on conventional fuel and on ethanol-gasoline blend containing 5% ethanol concentration. The technical aspects were focused on the chemical and physical properties like the density, the lower heating value, octane number and volatility of the considered blend and the effect on these properties in respect to ethanol concentration. Pollutants emissions were assessed with an NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) emission test performed on a passenger car being also assessed engine start-up time, oxygen sensor warm-up time and catalytic converter warm-up time.