Performance Compatibility Assessment of Selected Motorcycles Using Nipa Bioethanol as Alternative Fuel Blend

¹ ME Department College of Engineering, Mariano Marcos State University, 2906 Philippines
² School of Graduate Studies, Mapua University, Manila, 1002 Philippines
³ School of Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Energy Engineering, Mapua University, Manila, 1002 Philippines
⁴ National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center, Mariano Marcos State University, 2906 Philippines

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

The Philippines Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates 10% anhydrous (E10) ethanol blend in gasoline from E20 to E85 by 2030 but remains to E10. The potential of using hydrous (H) nipa-bioethanol remains unexplored which may alleviate production and volume requirements contributing to SDG7 Clean and Affordable Energy. Test vehicles must start and run normally to be concluded as fuel compatible. Findings show that hydrous blends were compatible from E20H to E40H, except on one carb motorcycle that experienced hard starting or unstable combustion during the test with E40H. The two carbureted motorcycles were observed to have an increased power developed from 11% to 29% using hydrous blends versus E10. Also, the two FI test motorcycles were observed to have about 3.5% to 8% power output improvements. However, the fuel consumption was observed to be less efficient with decreased distance travelled per liter by about 8% for every additional 10% increase of hydrous blend. Although hydrous blends are compatible with reduced HC and CO up to E40H, the study concludes that E20H is the optimal hydrous blend. Blend more than E40H requires remapping on FI while carb adjustments must be made on carb type motorcycles for blends greater than E30H.