27th September 2022 (7 Topics)
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Flex fuel Car
Context
India’s first ‘flex fuel’ car, a Toyota sedan that can run on one or multiple fuel types and developed as part of a new pilot aimed at deleveraging the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels for transportation, is set for an unveiling this month.
About
Flex fuel technology:
- A flex fuel, or flexible fuel, vehicle has an internal combustion engine (ICE), but unlike a regular petrol or diesel vehicle, this can run on more than one type of fuel, or even a mixture of fuels.
- The most common versions use a blend of petrol and ethanol or methanol, but these engines are also equipped to run on 100 per cent petrol or ethanol as well.
- This is made possible by equipping the engine with a fuel mix sensor and an engine control module (ECM) programming that senses and automatically adjusts for any ratio of designated fuels.
- It was first developed in the early 1990s and used in the mass-produced 1994 Ford Taurus, according to Car Bibles. By 2017, there were approximately 21 million flex-fuel vehicles on the road.
Key Components of a Flex Fuel Car
- Battery: The battery provides electricity to start the engine and power vehicle electronics/accessories.
- Electronic control module (ECM):The ECM controls the fuel mixture, ignition timing, and emissions system; monitors the operation of the vehicle; safeguards the engine from abuse; and detects and troubleshoots problems.
- Exhaust system:The exhaust system channels the exhaust gases from the engine out through the tailpipe. A three-way catalyst is designed to reduce engine-out emissions within the exhaust system.
- Fuel filler:A nozzle from a fuel dispenser attaches to the receptacle on the vehicle to fill the tank.
- Fuel injection system:This system introduces fuel into the engine's combustion chambers for ignition.
- Fuel line:A metal tube or flexible hose (or a combination of these) transfers fuel from the tank to the engine's fuel injection system.
- Fuel pump: A pump that transfers fuel from the tank to the engine's fuel injection system via the fuel line.
- Fuel tank (ethanol/gasoline blend):Stores fuel on board the vehicle to power the engine.
- Internal combustion engine (spark-ignited):In this configuration, fuel is injected into either the intake manifold or the combustion chamber, where it is combined with air, and the air/fuel mixture is ignited by the spark from a spark plug.
- Transmission: The transmission transfers mechanical power from the engine and/or electric traction motor to drive the wheels.
How flex fuel cars work?
- Flex fuel vehicles have one fuel system, and most components are the same as those found in a conventional petrol-only car.
- Some special ethanol-compatible components are required to adjust to the different chemical properties and energy content in ethanol or methanol, such as modifications to the fuel pump and fuel injection system.
- The ECM is also calibrated to accommodate the higher oxygen content of ethanol.
Advantages of Flex-Fuel
Driving a flex-fuel car can have several benefits for you and the environment. These include:
- Cleaner Fuel
- Flexible Usage
- Sustainable Source
- Provides similar, and sometimes better, performance than pure petrol cars
Disadvantages of Flex-Fuel
As with any new technology, there are a few drawbacks to using flex-fuel. These include:
- Nationwide Adoption: The greatest barrier to flex-fuel adoption is the infrastructure investment required to make the switch. Current engines will not be fully compatible with flex-fuels, which means fuel stations will need to cater to both pure petrol and flex-fuel cars by adding the appropriate infrastructure.
- Increased Engine Wear: While the engines will be designed to adjust to the blend of fuel used, the ethanol component in the flex-fuel will cause greater wear and stress on the engines. This might translate to higher maintenance costs during the time the technology matures and improves reliability.
- Lower Mileage: While ethanol burns cleaner, it also contains less energy than pure petrol.
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