STUDY ON DYEING OF METHANOL FOR AUTOMOTIVE FUEL
Takada Yutaka,Kasamatsu ichiro
Organiztion for The Commercialization of Low-Emission Vehicles(LEVO)
YPC Building 3F,2-14-8 Yotsuya,Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo 160-0004Japan
Abstract
Since l993 in Japan methanol vehicles have been promoted as a commercial vehicle as permitted in the Road Vehicles Act. However the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law is applied to methanol in Japan. This Law makes the handling of methanol difficult in refueling stations . In 1994, this Law was revised, and dyed methanol was admitted as an automotive fuel, which makes handling easier. Thus, a study on dyeing for neat methanol has been conducted since 1994. The study includes the screening and selection of dyes suitable for methanol, tests regarding health impact and quality deterioration, tests regarding engine exhaust emissions and performance, fleet tests using dyed methanol, and fuel cost simulations. Acid blue 9 (AB9), which is a food additive, proved to be acceptable as a dye for neat methanol from test results.Only 1 ppm concentration was sufficient for dyeing. It was estimated that the retail price for dyed methanol fuel would increase by about 6.7% when AB9 is used.
Introductlon
In urban areas in Japan, air pollution resulting from the suspended particulate matter of automotive exhaust emissions, including NOx, is a serious problem. A large scale introduction of low emission vehicles is needed to help solve this problem. Methanol, which can be produced from various resources, is a fuel for low emission vehicles, and is currently ordinarily distributed as a chemical feedstock. In Japan the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law is applied to methanol' This Law requires that a methanol supplier at refueling stations have a special license certified under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law. In l994, the regulations of this Law were revised, and dyed methanol was admitted as an automotive fuel, which makes handling easier. Thus, a study on dyeing of neat methanol was conducted.
Program structure
There seems to be no practical application of dyed neat methanol fuel in the world. So, investigations regarding engine performance, fuel quality deterioration, and human health impact must be conducted carefully. Furthermore, it must be guaranteed that there are no negative effects in terms of on methanol vehicle emissions, durability, and fuel price. This study was performed while considering these requirement. The scheme of this prOgram is shown in Fig.1
