Renewable methanol with ignition improver additive for diesel engines

Reduced emissions and environmental burden from shipping are an important aim of tightening emission regulations and ambitious climate change strategy. Renewable methanol produced from biomass or from other renewable sources represents one option to face these challenges. We studied the potential of renewable methanol to offer such benefits in diesel operation in a Scania ethanol engine, which is designed for additized ethanol fuel (ED95) containing ignition improver and lubricity additives. Methanol (MD95) with several types of ignition improver and lubricity additives was studied for use in diesel engines. MD95 fuels were clean-burning, emitting even less gaseous emissions than ED95, particularly when glycerol ethoxylate was used as an ignition improver. Particle mass and number emissions originating from additives in the experimental fuels could be reduced with an oxidation catalyst. Reduced additive dosing in the MD95 fuels was studied with the aid of fuel injection into the intake manifold. Overall, the results showed that the monofuel MD95 concept is a promising solution for smaller vessels equipped with 800-1200 kW engines.