Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, South Africa, 1-4 July, 2007.
An experimental device was developed to investigate the
performance of a spark ignition engine designed to use gasoline
whose system has been modified to use LPG (liquefied
petroleum gas). Temperatures (exhaust gases, oil, water,
combustion air); power and torque were evaluated for different
engine gear. Thermocouples were used K type and transducers
of pressure with signal in mV, to evaluate the power and
torque, were used a digital accelerometer. These experiments
are made to clarify to aspects like the vehicle performance and
safety of the people. The results indicate that all the
temperatures (exhaust gases, oil, combustion air, water in the
radiator) are increased considerably using LPG. For similar
conditions, the power and torque decrease.
The inspection made in the installed components to make
the conversion indicates that the used equipment at the
moment, does not present safeties devices for the control in
emergency situations, detection and blockade in the presence of
LPG within the automobile are not considered.
