Methanol Combustion Characteristics in Compression Ignition Engines: A Critical Review

Panagiotis Karvounis, Gerasimos Theotokatos (), Ioannis Vlaskos and Antonios Hatziapostolou
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Panagiotis Karvounis: Maritime Safety Research Centre, Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean, and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0LZ, UK
Gerasimos Theotokatos: Maritime Safety Research Centre, Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean, and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0LZ, UK
Ioannis Vlaskos: WinGD, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
Antonios Hatziapostolou: Department of Naval Architecture, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Greece

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-26

Abstract: Methanol has been identified as a transition fuel for the decarbonisation of combustion-based industries, including automotive and maritime. This study aims to conduct a critical review of methanol combustion in compression ignition engines and analyse the reviewed studies’ results to quantify methanol use’s impact on engine performance and emissions characteristics. The diesel and diesel–methanol operation of these engines are comparatively assessed, demonstrating the trade-offs between the methanol fraction, the key engine performance parameters, including brake thermal efficiency, peak in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate, and temperature, as well as the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter emissions. The types of the reviewed engines considering the main two combustion methods, namely premixed and diffusion combustion, are discussed. Research gaps are identified, and recommendations for future research directions to address existing challenges for the wider use of methanol as a marine fuel are provided. This comprehensive review provides insights supporting methanol engine operation, and it is expected to lead to further studies towards more efficient use of methanol-fueled marine engines.

Keywords: comprehensive review; methanol combustion; internal combustion engines; compression ignition; research directions; marine engines (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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