BRP will begin testing butanol-extended fuel in a variety of recreational marine engines for Argonne National Laboratory, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. Butanol-extended fuel will be tested as an alternative to gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted a waiver allowing up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline. According to industry test data put out last October, E15 can cause significant damage to marine engines. A 2011 alternative fuel study executed by BRP, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) concluded that isobutanol was a promising alternative fuel in marine engines.“Gasoline with 10 percent ethanol (E10) is still an acceptable fuel for marine engines, including BRP’s Evinrude outboard engines, but isobutanol, which has a higher energy content than ethanol, could be a viable alternative to E15,” said Jeff R. Wasil, Engineering Technical Expert for Emissions Testing, Certification and Regulatory Development at BRP. “Isobutanol represents a unique opportunity for BRP, and the entire marine industry, to be at the forefront of innovation in alternative fuels.”
With oversight from Argonne and the Department of Energy, the project calls for many types of recreational marine inboard and outboard engines to be tested in both a laboratory setting and through on-the-water trials to determine the effects of butanol-extended fuel on engine power, performance, emissions and overall durability. The first stage of the isobutanol testing on the water takes place this week in Annapolis, MD. Phase two is planned for later in 2012.Along with BRP, Argonne Laboratory and the NMMA, marine manufacturers Volvo-Penta and Indmar Marine have provided testing resources for phase one of the project. BRP’s Evinrude engine line-up now includes engine models from 3.5- to 300 horsepower. All the engines are available at authorized Evinrude dealerships worldwide. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brpevinrude or visit www.evinrude.com for more information.
About BRP
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorized recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea‑Doo watercraft and boats, Evinrude and Johnsonoutboard engines, Can-Am all‑terrain and side-by-side vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines. BRP products are distributed in more than 100 countries.
Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, Lynx, Evinrude, E-TEC, Johnson, Can-Am, Rotax and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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