The Cooperative Fuels Research Engine: Applications for Education and Research

Lead is currently banned from most gasoline because it is harmful to humans. While aviation gasoline still contains lead, this may change in the near future due to increased regulation in the interest of public safety. This has created a research opportunity to verify that new unleaded aviation fuels are compatible with equipment currently in use. The Cooperative Fuels Research (CFR) engine is designed for the controlled experimental testing of fuels involving spark-ignition, piston engines. The CFR engine enables scientists and engineers to ascertain engine performance as it relates to fuel, including heat content, detonation characteristics, and ultimately the fuel octane number. An initiative is underway in the Aviation Technology Department at Purdue University to update and make operational a CFR engine. With this test engine fully functional, scientists, engineers and students will have another cutting-edge tool for both education and research in the arena of new aviation fuels.