Authors

C. Bae, H. Kim, KAIST; B. Min, Hyundai Motor Company; S. Kwon, KATECH; S. Kim, Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority; S. Moon, Inha University; S. Park, Hanyang University; H. Song, Seoul National University; S. Park, Konkuk University, Korea

Year

2026

Print Info

Production/Publication ÖVK

Summary

Decarbonizing the road transport sector is an urgent global challenge that necessitates the deployment of carbon-neutral energy carriers capable of leveraging existing vehicle fleets and fueling infrastructure. e-Methanol, synthesized from renewable hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, has emerged as a promising liquid fuel candidate due to its high octane rating, high latent heat of vaporization, and compatibility with internal combustion engine architecture. However, the direct substitution of gasoline with neat methanol (M100) in spark-ignition engines introduces distinct technical challenges, primarily regarding cold-start capability under sub-zero conditions, the management of unregulated oxygenated emissions such as formaldehyde, and the long-term durability of fuel system components.
In this study, a coordinated experimental investigation was conducted to address these barriers, combining multi-cylinder engine dynamometer testing, chassis dynamometer vehicle evaluation, single-cylinder combustion analysis, and component-level endurance testing. The experimental results confirm that M100 operation significantly mitigates regulated emissions compared to gasoline under warmed steady-state conditions. However, despite the reduction in raw emissions, the Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) exhibited reduced NOx conversion efficiency
due to the scarcity of reductants in the exhaust stream, necessitating a dedicated rich-biased calibration strategy. Chassis dynamometer testing further revealed that while M100 effectively
suppresses thermal NOx formation during high-load cycles, cold-phase THC emissions remain a critical issue due to suppressed vaporization. Through cycle-resolved single-cylinder analysis,
it was identified that retarding the injection timing into the compression stroke is essential for securing startability by promoting flash evaporation. Finally, accelerated injector endurance
tests indicated that standard ethanol-oriented hardware is susceptible to flow restriction when operated with neat methanol, highlighting the need for dedicated material and additive solutions.

ISBN

978-3-9504969-5-6

DOI

https://doi.org/10.62626/5ihj-iiyt Copy link

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