Modeling and Cold Start in Alcohol-Fueled Engines

Neat alcohol fuels offer several benefits over conventional gasoline in automotive applications. However, their low vapor pressure and high heat of vaporization make it difficult to produce a flammable vapor composition from a neat alcohol fuel during a start under col ambient conditions. Various methods have been introduced to compensate for this deficiency. In this study, we applied computermodeling and simulation to evaluate the potential of four cold-start technologies for engines fueled by near-neat alcohol. The four technologies were a rich combustor device, a partial oxidation reactor, a catalytic reformer, and an enhanced ignition system. We ranked the competing technologies by their ability to meet two primary criteria for cold starting an engine at -25 deg. C and also byseveral secondary parameters related to commercialization. Our analysis results suggest that of the four technologies evaluated, the enhanced ignition system is the best option for further development.