Potential and perspectives in using bioethanol in Spark Ignited engines

Potenzialità e prospettive di utilizzo del bioetanolo nei motori ad accensione comandata

ing. A. Gerini FIAT Powertrain Technologies – R&T Alternative Fuels Engines

Agenda

• Alternative Fuels, why ?

• Role of bioethanol

• Potential of bioethanol vs new engine technologies

• Current use / market

• Conclusions

Global transportation energy

Source: ExxonMobil Energy Outlook 2009

Transportation sector energy represents ~ 26% of the

world total energy consumption

Transportation sector energy depends by more than 97% on OIL

Contribution of transport sector on CO2 emissions

Source: ACEA 2009

Progress on environment, but…

Source: ExxonMobil Energy Outlook 2009

Which solutions ?

Increase Powertrain/Vehicle Efficiency

Use of Low Carbon

Fuels

Use of Biofuels

(Renewables)

“Alternative Fuels”

Assessing the use of bioethanol in internal combustion engines

C2H5OH

Impact of the fuel production and distribution chain

“Well to Tank”

Impact on CO2 equivalent tail pipe emissions

“Tank to Wheel”

Evaluation of the Well to Tank contribution

2nd generation

Brazil

Bioethanol incorporation as additive

With respect to the present gasoline specifications (EN-228), bioethanol can be used as an “additive” through:

a)  Direct blending up to 5% by volume

b) The use of ETBE (bioethanol represents 47% by vol.) up to 15% by volume

The combination of the two ways respecting a maximum content of 2,7 % O2 by weight.

Within this figure gasoline could be sold without any specific label at the filling station.

Next evolution towards E10 without labelling

CO2 reduction based on WTT contribution resulting from large volume introduced on the market

Evaluation of the Tank to Wheel contribution

Properties Ethanol Gasoline

C [% weight] 52 86

H [% weight] 13 14

O [% weight] 35 0

Net heating value [MJ/kg] 26,8 43,6

g CO2 / g fuel 1.91 3.17

g CO2 / MJ 71.4 74.3 4% reduction due to

fuel composition

The key properties of bioethanol are mostly related to its potential in increasing the engine efficiency

Ethanol characteristics vs engine efficiency

Property Ethanol Gasoline

O [% weight] 35 0

Property Ethanol Gasoline

RON 111 95

Property Ethanol Gasoline

Latent heat of vaporization

[MJ/kg] 0,85 0,29

More complete combustion

CO and THC reduction

High Compression Ratio Turbocharging

Increase power density Cooling effect

Further potential reduction of CO2

emission vs gasoline due to engine

efficiency increase (neat ethanol)

Possible use on Heavy Duty

(turbocharged) Spark Ignited

engine platforms

CO2 reduction through engine technology evolution

  Engine displacement reduction (downsizing)   Turbocharging   Direct control of the intake valve (Multiair® system)

Performance / “fun to drive”

Rel

ativ

e C

O2

emis

sion

100

80

60

100 150 200

Naturally Aspirated Engine

Using high bioethanol blends – E85 / E100

  to design injection system components for the extra flow rate (+40% by volume);

  to design fuel tank to match with vehicle range requirements;

  to handle cold start conditions;

  to develop dedicated engine control system able to meet EU/OEM standards with different gasoline/bioethanol ratio FFV (Flex Fuel Vehicle)

Properties Ethanol Gasoline

Net heating value [MJ/litre] 21,3 32,1

Distillation curve [°C] 78 30 - 190

Latent heat of vaporization [MJ/kg] 0,85 0,29

With regard to a gasoline application this means:

Impact on components design & materials

Ethanol Content in the Fuel

Fuel Injection

Fuel Pump

Fuel Pressure Device

Fuel Filter

Ignition System

Evaporative System

Fuel Tank

Catalytic Converter

Lube Oil

Cold Start System

≤ 5%

5 ~ 10%

10 ~ 25%

25 ~ 85%

≥ 85%

-----------------------FOR ANY VEHICLE---------------------

---FOR FLEETS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD---

no modification

recommended

mandatory

FPT Product Range – Alternative fuel engines

1.0

1.2

1.4

FIRE FLEX

FIRE GASOLINE-CNG

1.4 FIRE

TETRAFUEL

Displacement [litres]

1.2

1.6 7.8

Displacement [litres]

5.9 NEF CNG

CURSOR CNG

3.0 F1C CNG

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOMOTIVE

TORQUE GASOLINE-CNG

L4 16V 103HP - 145Nm - Euro 4 92HP - 130Nm - Euro 4

L4 8V 60HP - 102Nm - Euro 4 51HP - 88Nm - Euro 4

L4 8V 71HP - 110Nm - Tier 2

L4 8V 66HP - 91Nm - Tier 2

L4 8V 85HP - 120Nm - Tier 2

AUTOMOTIVE

L4 8V 81HP - 120Nm - Tier 2

L6 24V 330HP - 1300Nm - EURO VI*

L6 12V 200HP - 650Nm - EEV

L4 16V 136HP - 350Nm - EEV

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIAL

1.8 L4 16V

132HP - 172Nm - Tier 2

TORQUE FLEX AUTOMOTIVE

L4 8V 74HP - 95Nm - Tier 2

1.4 L4 8V

77HP - 115Nm - Euro 5 69HP - 104Nm - Euro 5

* EURO VI Ready

Market development - Brazil

Source: ANFAVEA Brazilian Automotive Industry Yearbook 2009

Market development – EU (Sweden) Sweden

market share by fuel

1300 filling stations with E85 (3500 total)

Source: Deliverable 5.12 – EU project BEST – Feb. 2009

Conclusions

Among liquid biofuels ethanol shows an interesting potential in GHG reduction mainly based in the EU scenario on 2nd generation process development;

The CO2 saving due to its positive balance on Well to Tank side can be exploited by using low blends (E5 E10) without significant impact on engine/vehicle design and distribution network;

Thanks to its characteristics bioethanol results an ideal fuel matching the new trend in engine technology evolution dealing with downsized turbocharged/high torque density engines for low CO2 formation and near zero pollutant emissions;

As a consequence, bioethanol can be successfully used on S.I. engine platforms also devoted to Heavy Duty applications where, besides environmental impact, performance are a key parameter.

Technologies for developing ethanol dedicated engines/vehicle are well known and wider market opportunities could appear even in EU once the fuel available to final customer under a “sustainable” pathway.

Thank you for your attention !