Session: 02-03: Methanol in Compression Ignition Engines

Paper Number: 164620

164620 - Methanol Operation at High Compression Ratio in a Compression Ignition Engine 

Abstract: 

ASME ICEF 2025 164620 abstract for October 2025 IC Engines Forward Conference, Milwaukee, WI

Methanol Operation at High Compression Ratio in a Compression Ignition Engine

Jim Cowart and Dianne Luning Prak, US Naval Academy

Methanol fuel was operated in the Cooperative Fuels Research (CFR) Compression-Ignition Diesel Engine (F-5) with both conventional jet fuel as well as neat methanol at a very high compression ratio of 25 along with intake air heating.  Satisfactory operation was achieved without ignition improvers or engine modification.  Advanced injection timing was needed compared to conventional fuel in order to maintain proper combustion phasing.  Both the methanol and jet fuels operated over a similar load range with similar burn durations.  The methanol fueled operation resulted in significantly longer ignition delays with associated higher rates of heat release and peak combustion pressures.  Overall, the thermal efficiency with operation on methanol fuel was lower than with conventional jet fuel at these conditions. 

This study sought to explore the very high compression ratio pure neat methanol operation more fully, and thus investigates very high compression ratio with intake air heating using both methanol in comparison to a conventional diesel engine fuel.   

 

Keywords: compression ignition engine, alternative fuels, methanol, high compression ratio

 

 

 

 

Presenting Author: Jim Cowart Naval Academy

Presenting Author Biography: Faculty USNA

Authors:

Jim Cowart Naval Academy
Dianne Luning Prak US Naval Academy