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Natural Gas as an Automotive Fuel, an Experimental Study.

Fleming RD; Allsup JR

NTIS: PB 225 287/2 :26 pages

10009074

A study was conducted by the Bureau of Mines to evaluate natural gas as an automotive fuel and to provide guidelines for optimum engine adjustments for low exhaust emissions. The study was conducted using a single-cylinder engine, a multicylinder engine, and a total of eight vehicles. Results from single-cylinder engine tests showed that the light-load, lean-limit misfire region for natural gas begins at an air-fuel ratio between 150 and 160 pct of stoichiometric. Changes in ignition timing significantly influenced emissions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, but had little effect on carbon monoxide emission. Low emissions can be achieved with current-design engines by adjustment of engine parameters, but only with heavy penalty to engine performance. Emissions from vehicles fueled with natural gas are virtually unaffected by ambient temperature change within the range 20 deg to 100 deg f. The organic emissions from engines fueled with natural gas were estimated to be 22 to 25 pct as reactive as the emissions produced using gasoline. Levels of exhaust emissions from vehicles fueled with natural gas were unchanged over 10,000 miles of normal driving.

19730101

IH; Report of Investigation;

1973

PB-225287/2

A03

RI 7806

BERC;

NTIS: PB 225 287/2