Quick Start Performance of Methanol Engine for HEV Applications

For improving bad emissions resulted from frequently stop/re-start of bybrid electric vehicle (HEV) engines in urban drive condition, using methanol as the fuel of HEV engine in quick start was proposed and experimentally studied. The experimental engine was a spark ignited port fuel injected gasoline engine. An AC motor was connected to the flywheel to simulate quick start process of HEV engine. A self-developed electric control unit was used to control the experimental system. Results show that comparing with gasoline engine, methanol engine consumes less energy in quick start, both the CA0-10 and CA10-90 are decreased, and the HC, CO and NO_x emissions are reduced significantly.