TECHNICAL ISSUES OF INCREASED ETHANOL BLENDS Dr. Bruce Jones Director Minnesota Center for Automotive Research (MnCAR) Minnesota State University, Mankato GOVERNOR’S ETHANOL COALITION ST. PAUL, MN 9/26/2005

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH l To provide industry and government with technical expertise in automotive research and product development l To provide undergraduate students the opportunity to become directly involved in comprehensive research projects

MnCAR EMISSION LAB

MID RANGE ETHANOL STUDY l Conducted During 1998 and 1999 l Evaluate the Effects of 30% Ethanol and 70% Gasoline Blend on Unmodified Vehicles l 1 Year Study Focusing on: n Driveability n Material Compatibility / Durability n Fuel Economy n Emissions

E30 VEHICLE POPULATION l 1985 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA 2.5L l 1985 FORD ECONOLINE L l 1990 CHEVROLET C L l 1990 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L l 1991 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE 4.9L l 1992 FORD TAURUS 3.8L l 1992 CHEVROLET K L l 1992 GEO METRO 1.0L MANUAL l 1994 BUICK REGAL 3.1L l 1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA 3.1L l 1997 CHEVROLET K L l 1997 CHEVROLET K L l 1997 FORD F L l 1998 FORD F L l 1998 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L

DRIVEABILITY RESULTS and OBSERVATIONS l Ambient Temperature Ranged from 0 o F to 90 o F l Standardized Form Used to Record Any Abnormal Characteristics l No Reports Of: n Cold Starting or Hard Starting Problems n Vapor Lock n Hesitation

MATERIAL COMPATABILITY l Evaluated Through Use of Maintenance Log and Oil Analysis Testing l Results n No Fuel System Component Failures n Oil Analysis Results Showed No Metal Particles Representing Accelerated Component Wear and No Indication Of Increased Oil Degradation l Critical Area Needing Further Study

VOLUMETRIC FUEL ECONOMY l Overall Fleet Average Fuel Economy Decreased 9.8% l Volumetric Fuel Economy is Directly Related to the Energy Content of the Fuel. n There is Approximately 9.5% Less Energy in a Gallon of E30 Than Gasoline n Some Vehicles are More Sensitive Than Others

PROJECTED E20 FUEL ECONOMY l E20 Blend has Approximately 3.3% Less Energy Than Current E10 Blend l Expect a Slight Decrease in MPG Fuel Economy (1%-3% from current E10 blend) l However, the Reduction Is Not Necessarily the Same Magnitude as the Energy Density Difference

EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS l No Significant Trends Identified Pointing to Increased Levels of HC, CO and NOx l Some Vehicles Demonstrated Slightly Higher Levels While Some Lower l All Emission Results Were Low

SUMMARY OF INCREASED ETHANOL CONTENT l ENGINE CALIBRATION – Will Engines Run Properly? n Unmodified Vehicles (Closed-Loop Fuel Injection) Have Run on Blends Up To 50/50 Blends Without Problems. l Material Compatibility / Vehicle Warranty n Significant Issue for Manufacturers n Area Requiring Additional Research

WHY DO ENGINES RUN PROPERLY? l Closed-Loop Fuel Injection n Automatically Adjusts Air/Fuel Mixture –Optimum Performance –Low Emissions l Oxygen Sensor (O 2 ) n Key Component n Measures Excess Oxygen in Exhaust

CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEM OPERATION l As Ethanol Content Increases: 1. Excess Oxygen in Exhaust 2. O 2 Sensor “Tells” the Computer A/F is Lean 3. Computer Increases Fuel Flow 4. Adjusts Mixture Continually

E20 RESEARCH PROJECT l Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council Supported Research Project l Test Vehicle Chevrolet Malibu n Will be Used For All Emissions and Fuel Economy Testing n Other Manufacturers Components will be Evaluated l Comparison of E20 Blended Gasoline Vs: n Non-Oxygenated Gasoline n E10 n E20

CRITICAL FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS

E20 RESEARCH PROJECT l Evaluate the Effects of E20 Blended Fuel On: n Emissions –Using EPA Testing Protocol n Fuel Economy –Laboratory Evaluation in Research Lab –On-Road Fuel Economy n Material Compatibility –Focus on a Variety of Manufacturers –Investigation of Materials Used in Current Fuel Systems –Laboratory Testing of Selected Components n Driveability Issues n Fuel Characteristics –Volatility

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