EMISSION REDUCTION OF METHANOL GASOLINE BLENDED FUELS IN LEAN BURN SI ENGINE USING ZEOLITE-BASED CATALYTIC CONVERTORELAVARASAN G. AND KARTHIKEYAN DURAISAMYAbstract Because of the high thermal efficiency and low fuel consumption, the Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines are preferred by the Automobile manufacturers. Researchers worldwide are focussing to reduce our reliance upon fossil fuel based products and for a cleaner energy environment through the alternative source of fuel. As it is not possible to replace the fossil fuel, we can reduce the usage of biofuels by blending of the gasoline with methanol. Methanol addition in the GDI engine will increase the overall oxygen availability inside the combustion chamber and thus improving the combustion process. As the temperature is increased the formation of the NOX emission will also increase from the engine. In order to reduce the excess NOX emissions, a specially fabricated metal doped zeolite based catalytic convertor has been used. The GDI engine was tested for different blends of methanol-gasoline namely M0 (methanol 0% and gasoline 100%), M5 (methanol 5% and gasoline 95%) and M10 (methanol 10% and gasoline 90%) fitted with commercial catalytic convertor and the zeolite based catalytic convertor for the various speeds of the engine rpm (2000, 2200, 2400, 2600 and 2800). The performance characteristics of different methanol-gasoline blends were analysed and the emission reducing capacity of commercial as well asCu-ZSM5 coated catalytic convertor were analysed for all the blends. From the results it can be concluded that the M10 blend is having better brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and lesser unburned HC and CO emissions. |