The effect of altitude on the performance of a spark ignition engine using an alcohol-blended fuel

It is known that altitude influences both the performance and octane requirement of automotive engines. With the peculiar elevated geography in South Africa, there has been concern of the effects of altitude on automotive engines, when driving between the coast and the Highveld. This thesis describes an experimental investigation into the effects of altitude on a locally mass-produced spark ignition engine, operating under three different carburation settings. Tests have been performed in an altitude simulation dynamometer test cell. Comparative assessments are made of the effects of altitude on fuel economy, exhaust CO emission and engine knock response in terms of knock-limited spark advance with- a straight gasoline and a 10% ethanol blend. It has been shown that the extent of the altitude effects on fuel economy and exhaust co emission strongly depends on the operating carburation set points.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Civil Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

1996

Author dc:creator

• Wong, Ching Tai

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dutkiewicz, Ryszard Karol

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9468

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9468