Gasoline - ethanol blends were explored as a strategy to mitigate engine knock, a phenomena in spark ignition engine combustion when a portion of the end gas is compressed to the point of spontaneous auto-ignition. This auto-ignition is dangerous to the operation of an internal combustion engine, as it can severely damage engine components. As engine designers are trying to improve the efficiency of the internal combustion engine, engine knock is a key limiting factor in engine design. Two methods have been used to limit engine knock that will be considered here; retarding the spark timing and addition of additives to reduce the tendency of the fuel mixture to knock. Both have drawbacks. Retarding spark reduces the engine efficiency and additives typically lower the heating value of the fuel, requiring more fuel for a given operating point. To study this problem a turbocharged engine was tested with a variety of combinations of gasoline and ethanol, an additive with very good anti-knock abilities. Pressure was recorded and GT Power simulations were used to determine the temperature within the cylinder. An effective octane number was calculated to measure the ability of the fuel to resist knock. Effective octane numbers varied from 91 for UTG91 to 111 for E25, respectively. Engine simulations were used to extrapolate to points that couldn't be tested in the experimental setup and generate performance maps which could be used to predict how the engine would act inside of a vehicle. It was found that increasing the compression ratio from 9.2 to 13.5 leads to a 7% relative increase in part load efficiency. When applied in a vehicle this leads to a 2-6% increase in miles per gallon of gasoline consumption depending on the drive cycle used. Miles per gallon of ethanol used were significantly higher than gasoline; 141 miles per gallon of ethanol was the lowest mileage over all cycles studied.

The overall objective of this project was to quantify the potential for improving the performance and efficiency of gasoline engine technology by use of alcohols to suppress knock. Knock-free operation is obtained by direct injection of a second "anti-knock" fuel such as ethanol, which suppresses knock when, with gasoline fuel, knock would occur. Suppressing knock enables increased turbocharging, engine downsizing, and use of higher compression ratios throughout the engine's operating map. This project combined engine testing and simulation to define knock onset conditions, with different mixtures of gasoline and alcohol, and with this information quantify the potential for improving the efficiency of turbocharged gasoline spark-ignition engines, and the on-vehicle fuel consumption reductions that could then be realized. The more focused objectives of this project were therefore to: Determine engine efficiency with aggressive turbocharging and downsizing and high compression ratio (up to a compression ratio of 13.5:1) over the engine's operating range; Determine the knock limits of a turbocharged and downsized engine as a function of engine speed and load; Determine the amount of the knock-suppressing alcohol fuel consumed, through the use of various alcohol-gasoline and alcohol-water gasoline blends, for different driving cycles, relative to the gasoline consumed; Determine implications of using alcohol-boosted engines, with their higher efficiency operation, in both light-duty and medium-duty vehicle sectors.

The 21st Century Truck Partnership (21CTP) works to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, increase heavy-duty vehicle safety, and support research, development, and demonstration to initiate commercially viable products and systems. This report is the third in a series of three by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that have reviewed the research and development initiatives carried out by the 21CTP. Review of the 21st Century Truck Partnership, Third Report builds on the Phase 1 and 2 reviews and reports, and also comments on changes and progress since the Phase 2 report was issued in 2012.

The book is a complete treatise on renewable energy sources and also includes issues relating to biofuels. It aims to serve as a text for undergraduate and postgraduate students in relevant disciplines and a reference for all the professionals in the related fields.