The Wankel Engine and Fuel-Flexibility: An Engine Performance Review

Abstract: 

In a time where demand for autonomous mobile devices is sharply increasing, we turn our attention to the systems available to power them and discover that many do not meet the requirements and technology breakthroughs appear to be much in need. We find that the Wankel engine shows very good potential as a fuel-flexible power source and we locate its current and potential positions on a Ragone diagram and compare it to various other power sources. We then discuss the design, construction and calibration of the cradle dynamometer used to test a commercially available 49-PI Type II Wankel rotary engine and we demonstrate through various tests the fuel-flexible capability of the Wankel engine. Later, experimental results of the engine’s performance with different fuels are presented and discussed.

Author: 
Carlos Fernandez-Pello
Publication date: 
May 31, 2009
Publication type: 
Master's Thesis
Citation: 
Réville, J. (2009). The Wankel Engine and Fuel-flexibility: An Engine Performance Review. United States: University of California, Berkeley.

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