The Effect of a Mixture of Methanol and Gasoline on the Operation of an Engine in an Electric Power Generator System

Methanol, a type of alcohol, with gasoline, a conventional fossil fuel used in internal combustion engines. This blending process is often done to create an alternative fuel that may have certain advantages over using gasoline alone. The combination of methanol and gasoline can offer benefits such as improved combustion efficiency, reduced emissions, and potentially lower overall fuel costs. Methanol has a highoctane rating, which can enhance the combustion characteristics of the fuel mixture. This can lead to more efficient and cleaner combustion in internal combustion engines. Conducting this research is essential to explore potential improvements in fuel efficiency, emission reduction, and overall system performance, which are critical for advancing sustainable energy solutions. The tests were done using a mobile generator Briggs and Stratton ProMax 3500A. The tested fuels were 10 %, 20 % and 50 % blends of methanol in gasoline. The electrical output of the generator was roughly the same for all fuels even at higher load, however consumption increased significantly. The mixtures had a negative effect on the stability of engine operation and engine emissions had a negative effect at most of the measurement points. In some cases, like the concentration of formaldehyde by weight, gasoline fuel mixtures showed a decrease in mass concentration at lower engine loads and an increase at higher loads compared to the reference fuel.