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VOLATILITY
CRC Project No. CM-133
Leader: L. M. Gibbs
Scope and Objective
The objective of this program is to investigate
the relationship between vehicle performance/driveability and fuel volatility
characteristics.
Current Status and Future Programs
2006 Hot-Fuel Handling Program
CRC conducted a Hot-Fuel-Handling Program at the
GM Desert Proving Grounds in Mesa, AZ from May 15 to July 9, 2006. The
objective of the study is to determine under hot ambient temperature conditions
the effect of fuel front-end volatility and ethanol content on hot-fuel-handling
driveability performance in a large group of late-model vehicles equipped with
fuel injection systems. The study produced an assessment of hydrocarbon-only
and various concentration ethanol blends under hot temperature ambient
conditions. The results showed the effects of the vapor lock protection
temperature and ethanol content upon hot starting. These results were compared
to those from the 2001 CRC Hot-Fuel-Handling Program (CRC Report No. 629).
A matrix of 20 late model and five older model
vehicles was tested against a fuel set of high, medium, and low volatility fuels
ranging in ethanol content from E0-E20. The recent addition of E20 to the test
program was selected in coordination with other E20 activities in the Emissions
and AVFL Committees. The Volatility Panel members met during the December 2006
ASTM Committee D2 meeting to finalize the report. The report has been approved
by the committee and has been published as CRC Report No. 648. It is available
on the CRC website.
2008 Volatility Study
The next
Volatility study is the "Cold Start and Warm-up E85 Driveability Program." The
objective of this project is to determine the effect of vapor pressure and
hydrocarbon content of E85 Fuel Ethanol on cold start and warm-up driveability
performance under cool ambient conditions in a large group of late model
flexible-fuel vehicles equipped with fuel injection systems. The target
deliverable for this study is the minimum vapor pressure and hydrocarbon content
required for the two warmer ambient conditions of the three volatility classes
in ASTM D 5798 (Classes 1 and 2) for acceptable cold start and warm-up
driveability. A follow-on program would be required to investigate E85
properties for Class 3 (i.e., winter E85) fuels.
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