Bio-ethanol
Bio-ethanol
(OP)
I am thinking of converting a Honda Blackbird engined race car to run on Bio-ethanol as I've heard that reasonable power increases can be attained without mechanical changes. Has anyone got any views / advice? in particular what CO figures should be achieved or is there an alternative to use when setting the fueling levels with this fuel?





RE: Bio-ethanol
You will need some modifications to the fuel system to handle the different chemical nature and to handle the extra fuel flow requirements.
Increased compression ratio, like over 13:1 and as high as 16:1 is often required to get the most out of ethanol. It may require different spark timing.
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Bio-ethanol
Also, I don't know why Bio-ethanol would be any different than "regular" ethanol. Just a different source. (except maybe the impurities)
ISZ
RE: Bio-ethanol
You need a bigger tank and carry more weight as a result.
I deliberately left the bio comment alone as it was obviously pointless.
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Bio-ethanol
RE: Bio-ethanol
RE: Bio-ethanol
The jury seems to be out as to whether bio-ethanol from crops is a net positive for carbon emissions or oil use. Obviously the processes that turn organic waste into ethanol are off to a better start, but again, you have to be /very/ careful that you aren't wasting more enrgy than you are gaining.
As an example, when you press straw into briquettes to burn domestically, the processing uses about 16% of the energy content of the straw. That would be OK, except you are using diesel or electricity typically, to create the equivalent of firewood. Energetically it would be much better to close the chimney off and switch an electric heater on.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Bio-ethanol
The engine has no political or environmental conscience and will not know nor care where or how the ethanol was produced.
This thread could very easily get sidetracked into an environmental rather than an engine technology debate.
I will now pull my tin hat down tight and cover my ears.
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Bio-ethanol
RE: Bio-ethanol
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Bio-ethanol
I presume you are talking about the ethanol. My hat is already pulled down well past the groin.
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Bio-ethanol
In the UK we have had reports of some cars (ie Lotus elise converted to run on bio ethanol (which is now available as a pump fuel and thus can be used within my class regs)and these have been producing more power than standard. It may just be the cars engine maps are not as conservative original to push the "benifits" of ethanol for everyday use. But if there is a gain to be had.......!
My query really is - if I set my engine up on a rolling road (injected and on programable mapping) what emission figures do I need to aim for to show fueling is correct?
RE: Bio-ethanol
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.