Physico-chemical and operational properties of various
gasoline bio-ethanol blends were evaluated. Bio-ethanol was obtained through
distillation from maize (Zea mays), sugar cane (Saccharum L), raffia (Raffia
vinefera) wine, and palm wine and then purified using a rotavapor. Engine
trails involved combinations of various ratios of gasoline/bio-ethanol as fuel
in a small unmodified gasoline engine connected to a dynamometer. The vapour
pressure, octane number, flash point, specific gravity, and energy density of
various compositions of the blends were evaluated. Sugar cane gave the highest
yield of alcohol 97.99 g per kg of produce while the lowest amount of alcohol
of 10.5 ml per kg of produce was obtained from palm wine. Engine power
decreased from 0.400 kW with 100% gasoline as fuel to 0.108 kW with a gasoline
ethanol ratio of 1: 10. The octane number increased from 93 at E10 to 106 at
E90. The energy density decreased from 33.180 MJ/l at E10 to 23.600 MJ/l at
E90. Other physical observations suggest that to successfully run a gasoline
engine with bio ethanol/gasoline blends some modifications would have to be
done on the engine, including advancing of ignition timing, provision of air
tight fuel conduit network, and modification of piston heads to improve
pre-combustion fuel homogenisation.
Author(s) Details
Author(s) Details
J. K. Tangka,
Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 373, Dschang, Cameroon
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Book :- http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/206Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 373, Dschang, Cameroon
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