SUBMERGED ELECTRIC-ARC DECOMPOSITION OF METHANOL FOR COLD-STARTING METHANOL-FUELED ENGINES

Methanol is an attractive alternative fuel based on its engine perform ance and emission characteristics. Methanol can be synthesized from bi omass or urban waste, and as a result, it does not contribute to the n et addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Cold-starting of meth anol-fueled engines is difficult at temperatures below 10-degrees-C, a nd at sub-zero temperatures, starting may be impractical without signi ficant engine modifications. In this research, an attempt has been mad e to study and prevent the cold-starting problem by using hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas mixture produced by decomposing liquid methanol u sing a submerged electric arc device. The electric arc has the advanta ge of instantaneous gas production and the experimental data relating to the performance of the device and its design are reported. The devi ce is capable of producing up to 0.01 cu m (10 L) per min of a gas whi ch is primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a thermal efficiency of 18 percent relative to the theoretical energy requirements for met hanol decomposition. The feasibility of using this arc device is analy zed based on the simulated cold-starting data collected for a single-c ylinder Kawasaki engine at -20-degrees-C.