Oxygenated Fuel Blends for Personal Mobility — An Experimental Study on Two-Wheelers
The Government of India is looking to decarbonising the transportation sector as one of the key factors in the path towards attaining Net-Zero by 2070. In personal mobility, two-wheelers and passenger cars continue to consume fossil-based gasoline, while electric mobility is becoming a reality. However, with the increase in mobility requirements, it is estimated that gasoline demand will continue to increase till 2030. Ethanol and methanol are two major oxygenated fuels that have potential for blending with gasoline and use in existing vehicles without major modification. Ethanol has gained more attention due to its availability and the ecosystem which exists in India. With this background, an experimental study was undertaken to evaluate oxygenated fuel blends like E10, E20 and M15 for vehicle performance and emissions. State-of-the-art vehicle emission test facility was used for conducting a study on a BS VI motorcycle. Tests were conducted as per legislative emission test cycles used globally for vehicle certification. A full flow CVS-based emission sampling to assess vehicular emissions from different test fuels. The experimental results over WMTC (World motorcycle test cycle) indicated that the emissions such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon decreased with oxygenated fuels while oxides of nitrogen increased. The fuel consumption increased with test fuels in proportionate to the loss in energy content owing to the presence of oxygen. Further, estimates of GHG emissions and potential import bill reductions owing to 20% ethanol blending showed significant benefits.
