Methanol (M85) Port Fuel-Injected Spark Ignition Motorcycle Engine Development—Part 1: Combustion Optimization for Efficiency Improvement and Emission Reduction

Limited fossil fuel resources and carbonaceous greenhouse gas emissions are two major problems the world faces today. Alternative fuels can effectively power internal combustion engines to address these issues. Methanol can be an alternative to conventional fuels, particularly to displace gasoline in spark ignition engines. The physicochemical properties of methanol are significantly different than baseline gasoline and fuel mixture-aim lambda; hence methanol-fueled engines require modifications in the fuel injection parameters. This study optimized the fuel injection quantity, spark timing, and air–fuel ratio for M85 (85% v/v methanol + 15% v/v gasoline) fueling of a port fuel-injected single-cylinder 500 cc motorcycle test engine. Comparative engine performance, combustion, and emissions analyses were performed for M85 and baseline gasoline. M85-fueled engine exhibited improved combustion characteristics such as higher peak in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate, and cumulative heat release due to higher flame speed and the effect of fuel oxygen. The brake thermal efficiency increased by up to 23% at lower loads and 8% at higher loads for M85 fueling. Carbon monoxide was reduced by 11.4–94% and 46.1–94.4% for M85 w.r.t. baseline gasoline at 2500 and 3500 rpm, respectively, at varying engine loads. Hydrocarbon emissions showed mixed trends for M85 w.r.t. baseline gasoline. Nitric oxide emissions were 4–90.2% higher for M85 w.r.t. baseline gasoline at 2500 rpm, at varying engine loads; however, mixed trends were observed at 1500 and 3500 rpm. Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitric oxide emissions were 4.6, 38.9, and 84.3% lower for M85 than baseline gasoline during idling. Overall the M85-fueled motorcycle engine emitted fewer harmful pollutants, indicating its superior environmental sustainability, except for slightly higher NO emission.