Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-3 , 2016 ISSN : 2454-1362 , http://www.onlinejournal.in Performance Evaluation of Catalytically Activated Alcohol-Gasoline Blend Fueled 4- Stroke SI Engine with Catalyst Dr. K. Kishor Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, CBIT, Hyderabad Abstract : Experiments were conducted for evaluating the performance parameters, control of pollution levels and combustion characteristics of 4- stroke, variable speed, variable compression ratio, single cylinder, catalytic coated (copper coated on the piston crown and on the inner surface of cylinder head), alcohol-gasoline blend (80% gasoline, 10% methanol, 10% ethanol by volume) operated SI engine. Performance parameters (brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific energy consumption (BSEC), exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and volumetric efficiency(VE) and exhaust emissions (carbon monoxide (CO) and un-burnt hydro carbons (UBHC) were determined with different values of brake mean effective pressure of the engine, while Aldehydes and combustion characteristics {peak pressure(PP), time of occurrence of peak pressure(TOPP), maximum rate of pressure rise (MRPR) and maximum heat release(MHR)} were measured at full load operation of the engine. Copper coated combustion chamber with alcohol blended gasoline considerably improved the performance, reduced the pollutants with sponge iron catalyst and improved the combustion parameters. 1. Introduction In view of heavy consumption of petrol due to individual transport, and fast depletion of fossil fuels, the search for alternate fuels has become pertinent. Alcohols are suitable substitutes as alternate fuels for use in SI engines, as they have properties compatible to gasoline fuels. CO, UBHC and aldehydes, major engine exhaust pollutants cause many human health disorders and will have detrimental effects [1] on animal and plant life, besides environmental disorders. Engine modification and change in fuel composition are two methods to improve the performance of the engine and reducing pollution levels. Engine modification [2-3] with copper coating on piston crown, and inner side of cylinder head improves engine performance as copper is a good conductor of heat and combustion is improved with copper coating. Catalytic converter is one of the effective [4] methods to reduce the pollutants in SI engine. Alcohol was blended [5-7] with gasoline to reduce pollutants and improve the performance. The present paper evaluated the performance of copper coated combustion chamber, which includes determining performance parameters at various values of brake mean effect pressure, control of exhaust emissions of CO, UBHC and aldehydes (formaldehydes and acetaldehydes), and determining combustion characteristics at full load operation, with alcohol blended gasoline (gasoline-80%, ethanol- 10% and methanol- 10% by volume) and compared with CE with pure gasoline operation. Exhaust emissions of CO, UBHC and aldehydes (formaldehydes and acetaldehydes) were controlled by catalytic converter with sponge iron catalyst. 2. Methodology Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of the experimental set up used for the investigations. 1.Engine,2.Eddy current dynamometer,3. Loading arrangement, 4. Orifice meter, 5. U-tube water monometer, 6. Air box,7. Fuel tank,8.Three-way valve,9. Burette, 10. Exhaust gas temperature indicator,11 CO analyzer, 12. Air compressor, 13. Outlet jacket water temperature indicator, 14. Outlet jacket water flow meter, 15.Directional valve, 16. Rotometer, 17. Air chamber, 18. Catalyst chamber 19. Filter, 20. Rotometer, 21. Heater, 22. Round bottom flasks containing DNPH solution Figure 1 Schematic diagram of experimental set up