Publications

Final Report of the Interagency Commission on Alternative Motor Fuels

9/1/1992

This final report of the Interagency Commission on Alternative Motor Fuels describes progress to date in implementing the provisions of the Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 (AMFA; Public Law 100-494). The purpose of AMFA is to help achieve energy security, improve air quality, and encourage the production of methanol-, ethanol-, and natural-gas-powered motor vehicles by encouraging the development and widespread consumer use of methanol, ethanol, and natural gas as transportation fuels. AMFA seeks to help alternative transportation fuels reach the threshold level of commercial application and consumer acceptability at which they can successfully compete with petroleum-based transportation fuels.

Notes: Report based on studies performed by Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN; Argonne National Lab., Argonne, IL; EA Eastern Division; Carlton Enterprises

Certification of an Aircraft Engine on Ethanol Fuel

1/1/1991

In order for an aircraft to engage in civil commercial operations, it must be licensed in the certified category. In the case of a new fuel both the engine and the airframe must undergo Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tests. The document issued by the FAA for such approval is called a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). No non-petroleum fuel had yet received an engine certification which applied to an entire series of engines. An STC application was submitted to operate the Lycoming IO-540 series of aircraft engines on ethanol. The fuel used in this test was 200 proof ethanol denatured with regular unleaded gasoline. In order to satisfy the FAA certification requirements a test plan was submitted which followed guidelines established for fuel approval testing. This plan was reviewed by the FAA and discussed during several meetings between the applicants, the Designated Engineering Representative (DER) and FAA personnel. The applicants elected to use Federal Air Regulations (FAR) Part 33 for the basis of the certification process. This requires an engine endurance test consisting of a 150 hour run on a test stand according to a specified schedule of power settings and engine temperatures. Prior to the test the engine was disassembled and the components of the engine affected by fuel were inspected and measured. The engine was then assembled and installed on an approved, calibrated test stand. At that point it was run with a dynamometer to assure that it produced rated power. The plan required that engine operating parameters be measured by calibrated equipment and recorded. At the completion of the endurance run, a power test and detonation test were performed. The engine was then again taken apart for inspection and measurement of all designated components. All FAA requirements for the 150 hour endurance test were met or exceeded. A Supplemental Type Certificate was granted on March 12, 1990.

Authors: Shauck, M. E.;Zanin, M. G.

Three Scenarios for Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Commercialization

11/1/1990

This document, produced by Energy Systems Division of Argonne National Laboratory, presents three scenarios for electric and hybrid vehicle commercialization, including total market penetration, regional market penetration, and an all city scenario. The scenarios were developed for 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010.

Authors: Bernard, MJ III;Singh, MK;Heitner, K