Comparisons of Gasohol and Gasoline in Laboratory and Field Trials

摘要

Experimental work has been done to obtain comparative field experience with gasohol and with gasoline used in controlled tests with units of a commercial service fleet. A total of 110 vehicles were involved with half of the units operated using a control gasoline and the other half operated using gasohol. At an appropriate point in the tests, fuels were switched so that both gasohol- and gasoline-related data were obtained from all individual test units. Southwestern Bell Telephone vehicle operators observed and recorded information from the vehicles during use in normal field service. Vehicle drivers rated driveability and recorded the nature and circumstances of vehicle malfunction. Service records provided information on fuel economy and on fuel system problems. Emissions and fuel economy data were obtained from tests conducted on the vehicles at the Bartlesville Energy Technology Center using a chassis dynamometer to run EPA's prescribed test routines. Results in comparing experience between using gasohol and using gasoline showed, on the average, regulated emissions to have been lower for vehicles fueled with gasohol. However, considering individual vehicles, results were mixed, and the data are inadequate to conclude that real differences attributable to the test fuels exist. Fuel economy at rated vehicle weight was found unchanged between fuels, while driveability was somewhat poorer using gasohol. In brief, in the perspective of normal performance and problems to be expected, no substantial difference was observed in field or laboratory experience in the comparative testing of gasohol and control gasoline. (ERA citation 06:007895)