Evaluation of Spark Ignition Engine Performance and Operation Stability with Low Octane Gasoline and Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether Additive.

The transportation sector is the main consumer for liquid fuel in many countries, fuel quality is the main indicator for efficient engine operation. Hence, the current study aims to investigate the utilization of Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) as an octane booster with local low octane gasoline at an addition ratio of 5%, 10%, and 15% on a volume basis in addition to pure local gasoline. The coefficient of variation has been calculated at a constant operation condition of 4000 rpm engine speed and 50% Wide Open Throttle (WOT). The results reveal that the lower engine BP obtained with local gasoline (50.65 kW) and increased with adding MTBE by about 4.3 for GMTBE10 compared to local gasoline and the lower BSFC found to be 267.4 g/kW h for GMTBE5. Accordingly, the higher BTE obtained for MTBE 10 and found to be 32%. A delay of CA50 was observed with local gasoline compared to other fuel samples with MTBE additive. On the other hand, the lower COVIMEP obtained with GMTBE10 indicates the most stable engine operation. Accordingly, GMTBE10 gives better engine performance and stable operation among the tested fuel samples and can be considered as the best ratio for MTBE with local gasoline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]