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Class Notes on Thermal
Conversion System
Ramesh Khanal
Assistant Professor
Nepal Engineering College
Bhaktapur, Nepal
For the students of Civil & Rural
3rd semester
Class Notes on Thermal Energy
Conversion System
Assistant Professor
Nepal Engineering College
the students of Civil & Rural
Energy
2015
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
i
Course Structure
MEC 209.3: Thermal Energy Conversion System (3-1-2)
Theory Practical Total
Sessional 30 20 50
Final 50 - 50
Total 80 20 100
Course Objective
The objective of this course is to make the students familiar with air standard cycles,
principle and systems of internal combustion engines and fuels and their combustion
properties.
Course Contents:
1. Gas Power Cycles and Reversibility (6 hours)
Introduction; Air Standard Efficiency of a Cycle; Thermodynamic Reversibility;
Carnot’s Cycle; Otto Cycle and actual pV diagram for Otto Cycle; Diesel Cycle and
actual pV diagram for Diesel Cycle; Dual Combustion Cycle; Comparison of Otto,
Diesel and Dual Combustion Cycles; Brayton Cycle; Stirling Cycle.
2. Reciprocating Steam Engine: (5 hours)
The Rankine Cycle; Comparison of Rankine and Carnot’s Cycle; Rankine Cycle applied
to steam engine plant; Rankine Cycle on TS diagram; Steam Engine Indicators;
Hypothetical and Actual Indicator Diagram of Steam Engine.
3. Internal Combustion Engines (7 hours)
Introduction; Classification of Internal Combustion Engines; Working Cycles of
Internal Combustion Engines; Two Stroke Cycle Petrol and Diesel Engines; Four
Stroke Cycle Petrol and Diesel Engines; Basic Parameters of Internal Combustion
Engines; Components of Internal Combustion Engines.
4. Performance of Internal Combustion Engines (12 hours)
Indicated Power, Brake Power, Mean Effective Pressure; Engine Efficiency; Heat
Balance for Internal Combustion Engines; Power, Torque, Speed Relationship;
Specific Fuel Consumption; Gasoline and Gaseous Fuel Systems: carburation system,
temperature and altitude effects, gaseous fuel storage, air-mixing, relative efficiency;
Ignition Systems: spark ignition engines, conventional system- primary and
secondary circuits, electronic ignition, comparison and effects on engine
performance, compression ignition engines, fuel injector characteristics, engine
output and efficiency; Cooling Systems: liquid (water/anti-freeze) coolant, dry and
wet liners corrosion inhibitors, air cooling, temperature limitations, fan power
requirement, comparative advantage of liquid and air cooling system; Lubrication
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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System: lubrication requirements of spark ignition and compression ignition engines,
low pressure splash lubrication system, high pressure gear pumps and distribution
system.
5. Reciprocating Air Compressor (8 hours)
Primary Components of a Reciprocating Air Compressor; Reciprocating Compression,
Clearance Volume Effects, p-V diagram and work done; Volumetric and Adiabatic
Efficiencies, Compression Process on T-s Diagram; Multi-stage compression,
Intercooling, Optimum pressure distribution Work done, Representation of p-V and
T-s diagram; Positive Displacement Compressor Types, Axial flow compressors,
Roots Blower, Rotary compressors.
6. Fuels and Combustion (7 hours)
Introduction; Classification of Fuels; Solid Fuels; Liquid Fuels; Gaseous Fuels;
Calorific and Heating Values of Fuels; Determination of Calorific Values for Solid,
Liquid and Gaseous Fuels; Combustion Equations for Hydrocarbon Fuels;
Combustion in Spark Ignition and Compression Ignition Engines; Pre-Ignition and
Ignition Delays; Detonation and Effects of Operating Variables on Detonation.
Total Lectures 45 hours
Laboratories:
Five laboratory Exercises to be performed in this course, as stated hereunder:
i. Studies on Parallel Flow and Counter Flow Heat Exchangers
ii. Performance Evaluation of Reciprocating Air-Compressor
iii. Study of Systems and Components of Internal Combustion Engines
iv. Performance Testing of Spark Ignition Engine: Ignition Timing, Fuel Combustion,
Losses, Mechanical Efficiency, Air-Fuel Ratio, Volumetric Efficiency, Compression
Ratio, Exhaust Emission, Energy Balance
v. Performance Testing of Compression Ignition Engine: BMEP, Injection Timing, Fuel
Consumption, Losses, Mechanical Efficiency, Air-Fuel Ratio, Volumetric Efficiency,
Compression Ratio, Exhaust Emission, Energy Balance
Tutorial:
Problem Solving and Assignments
Text Books and References:
i. J.B. Heywood. Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals. McGraw Hill Book Co.
ii. C.R. Ferguson. Internal Combustion Engine. Wiley Publishers (latest edition).
iii. P.L. Ballaney. Thermal Engineering (Heat Engines). Khanna Publishers, New Delhi.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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Content Chapter 1. Gas Power Cycles and Reversibility ..................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Air standard efficiency of a cycle.................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Thermodynamic reversibility ....................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Carnot cycle.................................................................................................................................... 2
1.5 Brief introduction to petrol and diesel engine operation .......................................................... 4
1.6 Approximation of real cycle with air standard cycle .................................................................. 5
1.7 Otto cycle ........................................................................................................................................ 6
1.8 Diesel cycle ..................................................................................................................................... 8
1.9 Dual cycle ..................................................................................................................................... 11
1.10 Comparison of Otto, Diesel and Dual cycle ................................................................................ 13
1.11 Brayton cycle ............................................................................................................................... 17
1.12 Stirling Cycle ................................................................................................................................ 20
Chapter 2. Reciprocating Steam Engine ............................................................................................... 32
2.1 Rankine cycle ............................................................................................................................... 32
2.2 Mean temperature of heat addition ........................................................................................... 33
2.3 Comparison of Rankine and Carnot cycle .................................................................................. 34
2.4 Effect of pressure and temperature on Rankine cycle ............................................................. 35
2.5 Working principle of reciprocating steam engine .................................................................... 36
2.6 Steam engine indicators .............................................................................................................. 37
2.7 Hypothetical indicator diagram ................................................................................................. 37
2.8 Hypothetical and actual indicator diagram ............................................................................... 39
Chapter 3. Internal Combustion Engine ............................................................................................... 45
3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 45
3.2 Classification of IC engines ......................................................................................................... 46
3.3 Working cycle of IC engines ........................................................................................................ 46
3.4 Valve timing diagram of four stroke IC engine ......................................................................... 49
3.5 Components of IC engines .......................................................................................................... 51
3.6 Parts common to SI engine ......................................................................................................... 54
3.7 Parts common to CI engine ......................................................................................................... 55
3.8 Basic engine parameters ............................................................................................................. 55
Chapter 4. Performance of Internal Combustion Engine .................................................................... 57
4.1 Mean effective pressure (MEP) .................................................................................................. 57
4.2 Indicated power (IP) ................................................................................................................... 57
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4.3 Brake power (BP) ........................................................................................................................ 58
4.4 Engine efficiencies ....................................................................................................................... 59
4.5 Heat balance for IC engine .......................................................................................................... 60
4.6 Torque-power-speed relationship ............................................................................................. 61
4.7 Gasoline and gaseous fuel system .............................................................................................. 62
4.8 Ignition system ............................................................................................................................ 68
4.9 Engine cooling system ................................................................................................................. 71
4.10 Advantage of liquid cooling ........................................................................................................ 73
4.11 Disadvantage of liquid cooling ................................................................................................... 74
4.12 Advantage of air cooling ............................................................................................................. 74
4.13 Disadvantage of air cooling ........................................................................................................ 74
4.14 Engine lubricating system .......................................................................................................... 74
Chapter 5. Reciprocating air compressor ............................................................................................ 77
5.1 Reciprocating compression ........................................................................................................ 77
5.2 Work done in compressor .......................................................................................................... 78
5.3 Isothermal compression ............................................................................................................. 80
5.4 Effect of polytropic index on work required ............................................................................. 80
5.5 Compression process in T-s diagram ......................................................................................... 81
5.6 Clearance volume effects, P-v diagram and work done ........................................................... 82
5.7 Work done in single stage compressor with clearance volume .............................................. 83
5.8 Volumetric and adiabatic efficiencies ........................................................................................ 85
5.9 Effect of delivery pressure on the performance of air compressor......................................... 86
5.10 Multi-stage compression ............................................................................................................ 87
5.11 Representation of P-v and T-s diagram ..................................................................................... 88
5.12 Optimum pressure distribution work done .............................................................................. 89
5.13 Positive displacement compressor ............................................................................................ 91
Chapter 6. Fuels and Combustion ......................................................................................................... 99
6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 99
6.2 Classification of fuels ................................................................................................................... 99
6.3 Calorific and heating values of fuels .......................................................................................... 99
6.4 Determination of caloric values ................................................................................................. 99
6.5 Combustion equation for hydrocarbon fuels ............................................................................ 99
6.6 Combustion in SI and CI engine ................................................................................................ 103
6.7 Abnormal combustion in SI engine .......................................................................................... 104
6.8 Abnormal combustion in CI engine .......................................................................................... 105
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Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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Chapter 1. Gas Power Cycles and Reversibility
1.1 Introduction
In the study of thermodynamics, a cycle is defined as a set of processes involving transfer of
heat and work. The cycle starts from one state and after completion of set of processes
return back to the initial state. The cycle is capable of continuing same process repeatedly. If
the purpose of the cycle is to receive heat from surrounding and transfer work to the
surrounding, it is called power cycle. We also know that some kind of medium is required
for a cycle to transfer heat and work. If a device that operates in thermodynamics power
cycle uses gas as working medium then it is called gas power cycle. We also know that
according to the second law of thermodynamics, heat can be converted into work and while
doing so some part of heat received from the source must be rejected to the surrounding.
The difference in heat received from source and heat rejected to surrounding is work done
by the cycle to the surrounding. Generally, four processes are required to complete a gas
power cycle and they are:
a. Compression of gas
b. Head addition from source
c. Expansion of gas
d. Heat rejection to the surrounding
1.2 Air standard efficiency of a cycle
We know that air is freely and abundantly available in our atmosphere. For this reason air is
commonly used as working medium in gas power cycle. Though the composition of air in
some power cycle may change during the cycle (fuel is burned in presence of air in petrol
engine and diesel engine), working medium is always treated as ideal gas. All power-
producing engines such as petrol engine, diesel engine, gas turbine; which use air as
working medium are approximated as air standard cycle for analysis. One of the parameters
used to measure the performance of a power cycle is thermal efficiency. Thermal efficiency
of power cycle working with air is also known as air standard efficiency. From the second
law of thermodynamics, we know that efficiency of a power cycle can be expressed as,
��� = ���� ����ℎ��� ������� Eq. 1.1
Let us consider that qin amount of heat is supplied to an air standard cycle to produce wout
amount of work and in the process qout amount heat is rejected.
wout = qin – qout Eq. 1.2
So, the equation of air standard efficiency of a cycle can be written as
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��� = ��� − �������
��� = 1 − ������� Eq. 1.3
Air standard efficiency of a cycle is an ideal efficiency and no real cycle can have higher
efficiency than air standard efficiency.
1.3 Thermodynamic reversibility
Thermodynamics reversibility of a process is defined as the capability of the process to
return back to original state without changing the condition of either system or
surrounding.
Factors causing irreversibility in a process:
a. Friction
b. Free expansion
c. Heat transfer through a finite temperature difference
d. Mixing of two different substances
1.4 Carnot cycle
We know that the efficiency of a heat engine is always less than 100%. Then there should be
an engine that is most efficient among all others. For an engine to be most efficient, all the
processes forming the cycle must be reversible. The engine which works on cycle with
reversible compression, reversible heat addition, reversible expansion and reversible heat
rejection is the most efficient. For the heat transfer (either addition or rejection) to be
reversible it should be carried out across infinitesimally small temperature difference or at
constant temperature. Therefore, reversible heat transfer is possible in isothermal process.
For the expansion/compression process, it should be reversible adiabatic or isentropic
process. Therefore, the most efficient reversible cycle has the following four processes
a. Reversible isothermal heat addition from high temperature source
b. Reversible adiabatic (isentropic) expansion
c. Reversible isotheral heat rejection to low temperature sink
d. Reversible adiabatic compression
The cycle which operates based on above four processes is called Carnot cycle. Carnot cycle
is a heat engine cycle which operates between the given high-temperature and low-
temperature reservoirs such that every process is reversible. If every process is reversible,
the cycle is also reversible. This cycle was proposed by a French engineer Leonard Sadi
Carnot (1796-1832).
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1.4.1 Assumptions for Carnot cycle
For the reversibility of the processes following assumptions are made
1. No friction is involved.
2. The transfer of heat does not affect the temperature of source or sink.
3. Compression and expansion are reversible.
4. Perfectly reversible adiabatic conditions are achieved.
Fig. 1-1 Cylinder arrangement for Carnot Cycle
Process 1-2
It is a reversible isothermal process in which heat is transferred from the high-temperature
reservoir at constant temperature (T1 or TH). The source at a high temperature is brought in
contact with the bottom of the cylinder so that air expands isothermally from V1 to V2.
For an isothermal process:
)ln()ln()ln( 1
1
21
1
21121 crmRT
V
VmRT
V
VVPQ ===−
Fig. 1-2 P-v and T-s diagram of Carnot Cycle
Process 2-3
It is a reversible adiabatic expansion process in which the temperature of the air decreases
from T1 to T2. The source is removed and the bottom of the cylinder is insulated so that the
air is allowed to expand adiabatically. The volume increases from V2 to V3.
032 =−Q
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Process 3-4
It is a reversible isothermal process in which heat is rejected to the low temperature
reservoir at T2. The bottom of the cylinder is brought in contact with the sink at temperature
T2 so that air is compressed isothermally from V3 to V4.
)ln()ln()ln( 3
3
43
3
43343 crmRT
V
VmRT
V
VVPQ ===−
Process 4-1
It is a reversible adiabatic process in which temperature of working fluid is increased from
T1 to T2 by compressing it reversibly and adiabatically. The sink is removed and the bottom
of the cylinder is insulated so that the air is allowed to compress adiabatically so that the
volume decreases from V4 to V1.
014 =−Q
Now,
)ln()ln(
31
4321
cc rmRTrmRT
SuppliedHeatNetDoneWorkNet
−=
−=
=
−−
And, the efficiency of a Carnot cycle is:
1
3
1
31
1
31
1
)ln(
))(ln(
T
T
T
TT
rmRT
TTrmR
SuppliedHeat
doneWork
c
c
−=
−=
−=
=η
������� = 1 − ��� Eq. 1.4
1.5 Brief introduction to petrol and diesel engine operation1
In petrol engine, mixture of air and petrol is enters into the cylinder through the inlet valve
in intake stroke. In compression stroke, inlet valve is closed and air fuel mixture is
compressed inside the cylinder. At the end of the compression, the fuel is burned with the
help of spark plug. Because of high pressure after the combustion of fuel, the burned gases
expand inside the cylinder. In exhaust stroke, exhaust valve opens and all the burned gases
escape outside the cylinder. In this way the cycle is repeated.
1 Detail description of operation principle of petrol and diesel engine is given in chapter 3
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Fig. 1-3 Working mechanism of IC engine
In a diesel engine, only air is drawn inside the cylinder and fuel is burned by spraying diesel
over the compressed air. The method of compression and expansion and exhaust of diesel
engine are similar to that of petrol engine.
1.6 Approximation of real cycle with air standard cycle
The cycle that undergoes inside the cylinder of petrol and diesel engine is very complex. To
make the analysis of the engine cycle easier, real cycle is approximated with ideal air
standard cycle. Petrol engine cycle is approximated with air standard Otto cycle and diesel
engine cycle is approximated with air standard Diesel cycle. The difference and
approximation in ideal and real cycles are:
1. The gas mixture in the cylinder is treated as air for the entire cycle, and property values
of air are used in the analysis. In real cycle, fuel is mixed with air (in SI engine) in first
part of cycle. In second part of the cycle the fuel is burned in presence of air and the
composition of gas then after is of mixture of mostly N2, CO2 and H2O. As the fraction of
fuel is very less compared to air and mixture of N2, CO2 and H2O can be approximated as
air, approximation with air does not result large errors.
2. The real open cycle is changed into a closed cycle by assuming that the gases being
exhausted are fed back into the intake system. This works with ideal air standard cycles,
as both intake gases and exhaust gases are air. Closing the cycle simplifies the analysis.
3. The combustion process is replaced with a heat addition term Qin of equal energy value.
4. The open exhaust process, which carries a large amount of enthalpy out of the system, is
replaced with a closed system heat rejection process Qout of equal energy value.
5. The almost-constant-pressure intake and exhaust strokes are assumed to be constant
pressure.
6. Compression strokes and expansion strokes are approximated by isentropic processes.
To be truly isentropic would require these strokes to be reversible and adiabatic. There
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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is some friction between the piston and cylinder walls but, because the surfaces are
highly polished and lubricated, this friction is kept to a minimum and the processes are
close to frictionless and reversible.
7. The combustion process is idealized by a constant-volume process (petrol cycle), a
constant-pressure process (diesel cycle), or a combination of both (CI Dual cycle).
8. Exhaust blow down is approximated by a constant-volume process.
1.7 Otto cycle
Working cycle of petrol engine is approximated with Otto cycle, which is described by four
processes.
Process 1-2: isentropic compression: Fuel-air mixture is taken into the cylinder through
suction and the mixture inside the cylinder is compressed until the piston reaches the Top
Dead Center (TDC). This process is reversible and adiabatic. The pressure and temperature
of the air increase.
Process 2-3: constant volume heat addition: The compressed air-fuel mixture is burned
with a spark which makes the pressure and temperature of the combustion gases to rise.
This process is assumed to occur at constant volume.
Process 3-4: isentropic expansion: The piston begins to move until it reaches Bottom
Dead Center (BDC) so the expansion of gas occurs adiabatically and reversibly. This process
generates work output and the pressure and temperature of air decreases consequently.
Process 4-1: constant volume heat rejection: The exhaust valve opens and the pressure
and temperature of gas decreases at constant volume. Then the gas is removed from the
cylinder by movement of piston and the cycle is completed.
Above processes can be shown in P-v and T-s diagram as in Fig. 1-4.
Fig. 1-4 P-v and T-s diagram of Otto Cycle
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The thermal efficiency of the cycle is given as:
−
−
−=
−
−−=
−=
−=
1
1
1
)(
)(1
1
2
3
2
1
41
23
14
T
TT
T
TT
TTmC
TTmC
Q
Q
Q
V
V
H
L
H
LHη
Since process 1-2 and 3-4 are isentropic, we can write,
( ) 1
1
2
1
1
2 −
−
=
=
γ
γ
rV
V
T
T
Where,
=
2
1
V
Vr is called compression ratio
And,
1
2
1
2
1
1
3
4
4
3
T
T
V
V
V
V
T
T=
=
=
−− γγ
So,
( ) 1
2
1 111
−−=−=
γη
rT
T
����� = 1 − 1!�"#$% Eq. 1.5
Mean Effective Pressure (mep) is defined as the pressure that, if it acted on the piston
during the entire power stroke, would do an amount of work equal to that actually done on
the piston.
i.e. &'( = )�*�+% − +, Eq. 1.6
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The Fig. 1-4 represents the idealized or theoretical P-v diagram of petrol engine but the
actual P-v diagram of petrol engine closely resembles to the diagram shown in Fig. 1-5.
Fig. 1-5 Actual P-v diagram for Petrol Engine
1.8 Diesel cycle
Working cycle of diesel engine can be theoretically approximated with diesel cycle which is
completed by four processes.
Process 1-2: isentropic compression: Air is taken into the cylinder through suction and
air inside the cylinder is compressed until the piston reaches the Top Dead Center (TDC).
This process is reversible and adiabatic. The pressure and temperature of the air increase.
Fig. 1-6 P-v and T-s diagram of Diesel Cycle
Process 2-3: constant pressure heat addition: Fuel is injected in the cylinder so that
compressed air and fuel is burned spontaneously which makes the pressure and
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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temperature of the combustion gases to rise. Simultaneously, the piston moves maintaining
the pressure inside the cylinder. This process is assumed to occur at constant pressure.
Process 3-4 isentropic expansion: The piston begins to move until it reaches Bottom Dead
Center (BDC) so the expansion of gas occurs adiabatically and reversibly. This process
generates work output and the pressure and temperature of air decreases consequently.
Process 4-1 constant volume heat rejection: The exhaust valve opens and the pressure
and temperature of gas decreases at constant volume. Then the gas is removed from the
cylinder by movement of piston and the cycle is completed.
All the four processes can be shown in P-v and T-s diagram as in Fig. 1-6
The thermal efficiency of diesel cycle is given by,
HQ
W=η
H
LH
Q
QQ −=
H
L
Q
Q−=1
)(
)(1
23
14
TTmC
TTmC
P
V
−
−−=
� = 1 − !�- − �%".!�/ − �," Eq. 1.7
For a Diesel cycle,
Compression Ratio,
=
2
1
V
Vr
Cut-off Ratio,
=
2
3
V
Vρ
i.e. �0 = +%+, × +,+/ = +%+/ = +-+/ Eq. 1.8
For isentropic process 1-2 as shown in Fig. 1-6
�,+,#$% = �%+%#$%
�, = �% 2+%+,3#$% = �%!�"#$% Eq. 1.9
Similarly for isobaric process 2-3
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+,�, = +/�/
�/ = �, +/+, = �,0
Substituting the value of T2 from Eq. 1.9
�/ = �%0�#$% Eq. 1.10
Process 3-4 is isentropic expansion,
�-+-#$% = �/+/#$%
�- = �/ 2+/+-3#$%
From Eq. 1.8 and Eq. 1.10
�- = �%0�#$% 40�5#$%
�- = �%0# Eq. 1.11
Now, from Eq. 1.7, Eq. 1.9, Eq. 1.10 and Eq. 1.11
� = 1 − !�%0# − �%".!�%0�#$% − �%�#$%"
�6�*7*8 = 1 − 1�#$% 9!0# − 1".!0 − 1": Eq. 1.12
The Fig. 1-6 represents the idealized or theoretical P-v diagram of petrol engine but the
actual P-v diagram of petrol engine closely resembles to the diagram shown in Fig. 1-7.
Fig. 1-7 Actual P-v diagram for Diesel Engine
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1.9 Dual cycle
The dual cycle (limited pressure cycle) is the ideal cycle for modern Compression Ignition
(CI) engines. The dual cycle differs from Otto cycle and Diesel cycle, in that heat is supplied
at both constant volume and constant pressure. There are five processes involved in dual
cycle which are explained with the help of P-v and T-s diagram as shown.
Process 1-2: isentropic compression: Air is taken into the cylinder through suction and
air inside the cylinder is compressed until the piston reaches the Top Dead Center (TDC).
This process is reversible and adiabatic. The pressure and temperature of the air increase.
Process 2-3: constant volume heat addition: Fuel is injected in the cylinder before the
piston reaches the TDC during compression stroke so some of the combustion occurs at
almost constant volume at TDC as in Otto cycle.
Process 3-4: constant pressure heat addition: The fuel is continued to be injected at TDC
so the combustion continues and the piston moves maintaining the pressure inside the
cylinder. This process is assumed to occur at constant pressure.
Process 4-5: isentropic expansion: The piston begins to move until it reaches Bottom
Dead Center (BDC) so the expansion of gas occurs adiabatically and reversibly. This process
generates work output and the pressure and temperature of air decreases consequently.
Process 5-1: constant volume heat rejection: The exhaust valve opens and the pressure
and temperature of gas decreases at constant volume. Then the gas is removed from the
cylinder by movement of piston and the cycle is completed.
All the processes involved in theoretical dual cycle can be represented in P-v and T-s
diagram as shown in Fig. 1-8.
Fig. 1-8 P-v and T-s diagram of Dual Cycle
Some parameters used in dual cycle based on the P-v and T-s diagram
Heat added at constant volume during process 2-3 (Qin1) = mcv(T3 – T2)
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Heat added at constant pressure (during process 3-4) (Qin2) = mcp(T4 – T3)
Total heat added per cycle (Qin)= mcv(T3 – T2) + mcp(T4 – T3)
Heat rejected at constant volume during process 5-1 (Qout) = mcv(T5 – T1)
Compression ratio (rc) = v1/v2
Cut-off ratio (ρ) = v4/v3
Pressure ratio (rp) = P3/P2
Now air standard thermal efficiency of the dual cycle is
� = ���� ��;�ℎ��� �; = <�� − <���<�� = 1 − <���<��
� = 1 − =>?!�@ − �%"=>?!�/ − �," + =>B!�- − �/"
� = 1 − !�@ − �%"!�/ − �," + .!�- − �/" Eq. 1.13
Process 1-2: Isentropic compression of air
�%C%#$% = �,C,#$%
�, = �% 2C,C%3#$% = �%�D#$%
�, = �%�D#$% Eq. 1.14
Process 2-3: Constant volume heat addition (,�, = (/�/
�/ = �, (/(, = �,�B
�/ = �%�D#$%�B Eq. 1.15
Process 3-4: Constant pressure heat addition C/�/ = C-�-
�- = �/ C-C/ = �/0
�- = �%�D#$%�B0
�- = �%�D#$%�B0 Eq. 1.16
Process 4-5: Isentropic expansion of air
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�-C-#$% = �@C@#$%
�@ = �- 2C-C@3#$%
9∵ C-C@ = C-C% = C,C% × C-C, = C,C% × C-C/ = 0�D:
�@ = �%�D#$%�B0 20�D3#$%
�@ = �%�B0# Eq. 1.17
Now from Eq. 1.13, Eq. 1.14, Eq. 1.15, Eq. 1.16 and Eq. 1.17
� = 1 − F�%�B0# − �%GF�%�D#$%�B − �%�D#$%G + .F�%�D#$%�B0 − �%�D#$%�BG
�6��8 = 1 − F�B0# − 1G�D#$%HF�B − 1G + �B.!0 − 1"I Eq. 1.18
The actual P-v diagram of modern diesel engine something like as shown in Fig. 1-9.
Fig. 1-9 Actual P-v diagram of modern Diesel engine
1.10 Comparison of Otto, Diesel and Dual cycle
The important factors, which are used as the basis for comparison of different cycles are
compression ratio, peak pressure, heat addition, heat rejection and the net work. In order to
compare the performance of the Otto, Diesel and Dual combustion cycles, some of the
variable factors must be fixed. In this section, a comparison of these three cycles is made for
the same compression ratio, same heat addition, constant maximum pressure and
temperature, same heat rejection and net work output. This analysis will show which cycle
is more efficient for a given set of operating conditions. We know that efficiency of any heat
engine can be expressed as
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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� = 1 − <���<�� Eq. 1.19
1.10.1 Same compression ratio and heat addition
Fig. 1-10 Same compression ratio and heat addition
The P-v and T-s diagram of Otto cycle 1-2-3-4-1, the Diesel cycle 1-2-3”-4”-1 and the dual
cycle 1-2-2a-3’-4’-1 are shown in the Fig. 1-10
In P-v diagram, v1 and v2 is same for all cycles which means the compression ratio is same for
all. The T-s diagram is plotted in such a way that area under the curve 2-3 (for Otto cycle),
curve 2-2a-3’ (for dual cycle) and 2-3” (for diesel cycle) is same. We also know that area
under the curve in T-s diagram indicates the heat transfer. So heat addition (qin) is same for
all cycles. Again from T-s diagram, it is clear that,
Area under curve 4-1 < Area under the curve 4’-1 < Area under the curve 4”-1
i.e. (qout)otto < (qout)dual < (qout)diesel
So with the help of Eq. 1.19, it can be concluded that
ηotto > ηdual > ηdiesel for same compression ratio and same heat addition.
1.10.2 Same compression ratio and heat rejection
Fig. 1-11 Same compression ratio and heat rejection
1-2-3-4-1 Otto cycle
1-2-2a-3’-4’-1 dual cycle
1-2-3”-4”-1 Diesel cycle
1-2-3-4-1 Otto cycle
1-2-2a-3’-4-1 dual cycle
1-2-3”-4-1 Diesel cycle
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
15
As in the previous case, compression ratio is same for all three cycles (Fig. 1-11). The cycle
in T-s diagram is drawn in such a way that heat rejection (area under the cure 4-1) is same
for the all cycles. From the T-s diagram it is also clear that
(qin)otto > (qin)dual > (qin)diesel
(area under the curve 2-3 for Otto cycle, area under the curve 2-2a-3’ for dual cycle and area
under the curve 2-3” for Diesel cycle in T-s diagram)
So for same compression ratio and heat rejection.
ηotto > ηdual > ηdiesel
1.10.3 Same peak temperature, peak pressure and heat rejection
Fig. 1-12 Same peak temperature and peak pressure
From the Fig. 1-12, it is clear that peak pressure (P3) is same for each cycle. Similarly same
heat rejection (area under curve 4-1) is also same for all cycles.
But,
(qin)diesel > (qin)dual > (qin)otto
(Area under the cure 2”-3 for diesel, area under the curve 2’-2a-3 for dual and area under
the curve 2-3 for otto in T-s diagram)
So,
ηdiesel > ηdual > ηotto
1-2-3-4-1 Otto cycle
1-2’-2a-3-4-1 dual cycle
1-2”-3-4-1 Diesel cycle
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
16
1.10.4 Same peak pressure and heat addition
Fig. 1-13 For same peak pressure and heat addition
For the same peak pressure (P3) and same heat addition (area under the curve 2”-3” for
diesel, 2’-2a-3’ for dual and 2-3 for otto)
(qout)diesel < (qout)dual < (qout)otto
(area under the curve 4”-1 for diesel, 4’-1 for dual and 4-1 for otto in T-s diagram)
So, for same peak pressure and heat addition
ηdiesel > ηdual > ηotto
1.10.5 Same maximum pressure and work output
Fig. 1-14 Same maximum pressure and work output
We know that,
� = ������� = �������� + ���� Eq. 1.20
For same maximum pressure (P3) and same work output (same area of the cycle 1-2-3-4-1
Otto, 1-2’-2a-3’-4’-1 dual, 1-2”-3”-4”-1 Diesel in either of T-s and P-v diagram)
(qout)diesel < (qout)dual < (qout)otto
1-2-3-4-1 Otto cycle
1-2’-2a-3’-4’-1 dual cycle
1-2”-3”-4”-1 Diesel cycle
1-2-3-4-1 Otto cycle
1-2’-2a-3’-4’-1 dual cycle
1-2”-3”-4”-1 Diesel cycle
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
17
(area under the curve 4”-1 for diesel, 4’-1 for dual and 4-1 for otto in T-s diagram)
So, from the Eq. 1.20, for same peak pressure and work output
ηdiesel > ηdual > ηotto
1.11 Brayton cycle
The Brayton Cycle, also called the Joule Cycle, was developed originally for use in a piston
engine with fuel injection. This cycle is the ideal cycle for the simple gas turbine. The air
standard Brayton cycle is composed of constant pressure heat transfer processes separated
by isentropic expansion and compression processes.
a. Closed Brayton Cycle b. Open Brayton Cycle
Fig. 1-15 Closed and open Brayton Cycle
The closed-cycle Brayton engine is shown in Fig. 1-15a. The working fluid air enters the
compressor in state 1, where it is compressed isentropically until state 2 is reached and
enters high temperature heat exchanger. In the heat exchanger heat will be added to the
fluid at constant pressure until state 3 is reached. Now high temperature air enters the
turbine, where an isentropic expansion occurs, producing mechanical work. The working
fluid (air) leaves the turbine at state 4 and enters low temperature heat exchanger, where
heat will be rejected from the fluid until state 1 is reached. After completing a cycle previous
processes will be repeated in same order.
Compression in compressor and expansion in turbine are assumed to be isentropic
processes in the ideal closed cycle air standard Brayton cycle. It is easier to construct
compressor and turbine which operates nearly adiabatic. However, it is difficult to approach
reversibility.
The P-v and T-s diagram of closed Brayton cycle can be represented as in Fig. 1-16
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
18
Fig. 1-16 P-v and T-s diagram of Brayton Cycle
The efficiency of Brayton cycle is given by,
)(
)(1
1
23
14
TTmC
TTmC
Q
Q
P
P
H
L
B
−
−−=
−=η
)1(
)1(
1
2
3
2
1
4
1
−
−
−=
T
TT
T
TT
Bη
Here, process 2-3 and 4-1 are constant pressure process so P2 = P3 and P1 = P4
For isentropic process 1-2,
γ
γ 1
1
2
1
2
−
=
P
P
T
T
For isentropic process 3-4,
So,
2
3
1
4
T
T
T
T= Eq. 1.21
Now, using Eq. 1.21 the equation of efficiency can be written as
γ
γη
1
1
2
3
4
2
1 1111
−
−=−=−=
P
PT
T
T
TB
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
19
( ) γ
γη
1
11
−−=
p
B
r
Eq. 1.22
Where, 4
3
1
2
P
P
P
Prp == is the pressure ratio
1.11.1 Effect of isentropic efficiency of pump and turbine
In the previous section, we have assumed the turbine and pump are isentropic. But, in real
case, they cannot be isentropic. If isentropic efficiency of turbine and pump are considered,
the P-v and T-s diagram of Brayton cycle will be as shown in the Fig. 1-17. In the figure, the
cycle 1-2-3-4-1 is the ideal cycle and the cycle 1-2’-3-4’-1 is for non-isentropic turbine and
pump.
Fig. 1-17 Isentropic efficiency of turbine and pump
The head addition in the cycle occurs at process 2’-3 while heat rejection occurs at 4’-1
process.
The turbine efficiency can be defined as
�J = !)J"/$-K!)J"/$- = ℎ/ − ℎ-Kℎ/ − ℎ-
�J = �/ − �-L�/ − �- Eq. 1.23
Similarly the pump efficiency can be defined as
�M = !)M"%$,!)M"%$,L = ℎ, − ℎ%ℎ,L − ℎ%
�M = �, − �%�,L − �% Eq. 1.24
The equation for efficiency of the cycle can be written as
� = 1 − �������
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
20
� = 1 − NB!�-L − �%"NB!�/ − �,L"
� = 1 − !�-L − �%"!�/ − �,L" Eq. 1.25
1.12 Stirling Cycle
Ideal Stirling cycle consists of two isothermal and two constant volume processes as follow
Fig. 1-18 P-v and T-s diagram of Stirling cycle
Stirling Cycle Processes:
a) The air is compressed isothermally from state 1 to 2.
b) The air at state-2 is passed into the regenerator from the top at a temperature T1. The air
passing through the regenerator matrix gets heated from TL to TH.
c) The air at state-3 expands isothermally in the cylinder until it reaches state-4.
d) The air coming out of the engine at temperature TH (condition 4) enters into regenerator
from the bottom and gets cooled while passing through the regenerator matrix at
constant volume and it comes out at a temperature TL, at condition 1 and the cycle is
repeated.
e) It can be shown that the heat absorbed by the air from the regenerator matrix during the
process 2-3 is equal to the heat given by the air to the regenerator matrix during the
process 4-1, then the exchange of heat with external source will be only during the
isothermal processes.
So we can write net work done as
)�*� = <�� − < − <���
For isothermal heat addition during process 3-4
<�� = =O� ln!+-+/"
For isothermal heat rejection during process 1-2
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
21
<��� = =O�� ln 2+,+%3
So thermal efficiency of the cycle is
��� = )�*�<�� = 1 − <���<��
��� = 1 − =O�� ln 4+,+%5=O� ln 4+-+/5
��� = 1 − ��� Eq. 1.26
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
22
Solved Numerical Problems
1. In a Carnot cycle, the maximum pressure and temperature are limited to 18 bar and
410°C. The ratio of isentropic compression is 6 and isothermal expansion is 1.5.
Assuming the volume of the air at the beginning of isothermal expansion as 0.18 m3,
determine:
a. The temperature and pressure at main points in the cycle
b. Change in entropy during isothermal expansion
c. Mean thermal efficiency of the cycle
d. Mean effective pressure of the cycle
e. Theoretical power if there are 210 working cycles per minute.
Maximum pressure (P2) = 18 bar
Maximum temperature (T2) = 410+273 = 683 K
V1/V2 = 6
V3/V2 = 1.5
V2 = 0.18 m3
a. Temperature and pressure at main points
Process 1-2 is isentropic
(%+%# = (,+,#
(% = (, 2+,+%3# = 18 × 10@ × 2163%.-
VW = X. WYZ [V\
�%+%#$% = �,+,#$%
�% = �, 2+,+%3#$% = 683 × 2163%.-$%
^W = ___. `` a
Process 2-3 is isothermal
(,+, = (/+/
(/ = (, 2+,+/3 = 18 × 10@ × 2 11.53 = 1.2 &(�
V_ = W. d [V\
^_ = ^d = Ze_ a
Process 3-4 is isentropic
(/+/# = (-+-# �/+/#$% = �-+-#$%
^Y = ^W = ___. ` a
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
23
(- = (/ 2+/+-3# = (/ 2+/+-3# = (/ 2+,+%3#
= 1.2 × 10f × 2163%.-
P4 = 97.67 kPa
b. Change in entropy during isothermal expansion
For mass of the working substance
= = (,+,O�, = 18 × 10@ × 0.18287 × 683 = 1.65 �h
∵ !i/ − i," = =O ln 2+/+,3 = 1.65 × 287 × ln 1.5 = X. Wjd kl/a
c. Mean thermal efficiency of the cycle
�D����� = 1 − ��� = 1 − 333.5683 = `W. Wn%
d. Mean effective pressure of the cycle
=�� = )+- − +, = �D�����<��+- − +, = �D����� × =O�, ln!+//+,"=O!�-/(- − �,/(,"
=�� = �D����� × �, ln!+//+,"!�-/(- − �,/(,"
= 0.5117 × 683 ln 1.54 333.597.67 × 10/ − 68318 × 10@5 = YZ. Zj kV\
e. Theoretical power if there are 210 working cycles per minute
) = �D�����<�� = �D����� × =O�, ln!+//+,"
= 0.5117 × 1.65 × 287 × 683 × ln 1.5 = 67.10 �q
(���� = )���>r>�� × >r>����>�;� = 67.10 × 10/ × 21060
= d_Y. e` ks
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
24
2. A reversible engine converts one-sixth of the heat input into work. When the
temperature of the sink is reduced by 70°C, its efficiency is doubled. Find the
temperature of the source and the sink. )<�� = 16
��, = ��% − 70
� = )<�� = 16
We also know that
� = 1 − ��%� = 16
��%� = 56 ⇒ ��% = 56 �
��% = 56 �
Again,
2� = 13 = 1 − ��,�
��,� = ��% − 70� = 23 ⇒ ��% = 23 � + 70
��% = 23 � + 70
Solving for TL1 and TH
TH = 420K
TL1 = 350 K
3. An engine working on Otto cycle has a volume of 0.45 m3, pressure 1 bar and
temperature 30°C at the beginning of compression stroke. At the end of compression
stroke, the pressure is 11 bar. 210 kJ of heat is added at constant volume. Determine:
a. Pressure, temperature and volume at salient points in the cycle
b. Percentage clearance
c. Efficiency
d. Net work per cycle
e. Mean effective pressure
f. Ideal power developed by the engine if the number of working per minute is 210.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
25
P1 = 1 bar,
V1 = 0.45 m3
T1 = 30+273 = 303 K
P2 = 11 bar
Qin = 210 kJ
a. Pressure, temperature and volume at salient points
For mass of the air
= = (%+%O�% = 1 × 10@ × 0.45287 × 303 = 0.517 �h
For isentropic compression process 1-2
(%+%# = (,+,# � = +%+, = 2(,(%3# = 2111 3 %%.- = 5.54 +, = +%� = 0.455.54 = X. XeW v_
�, = �% 2+%+,3#$% = 303 × 5.54%.-$% = ZXX. jZW a
For constant volume heat addition process 2-3
<�� = =N?!�/ − �,"
210 × 10/ = 0.517 × 718 × !�/ − 600.961"
^_ = WWZZ. Ze` a
(/�/ = (,�, ⇒ (/ = (,�/�, = 11 × 10@ × 1166.685600.961
(/ = 21.355 × 10@ = dW. _`` w\x
+/ = +, = 0.081 =/
For isentropic expansion process 3-4
(- = (/ 2+/+-3# = 21.355 × 10@ × 2 15.543%.- = 1.94 × 10@ = W. jY w\x
�- = �/ 2+/+-3#$% = 1166.685 × 2 15.543%.-$% = `ee. d__ a
+- = +% = X. Y` v_
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
26
b. Percentage clearance
���>�;��h� >�����;>� = +,+% − +, = 0.0810.45 − 0.081 = dd%
c. Efficiency
� = 1 − 1!�"#$% = 1 − 1!5.51"y.- = Yj. Yn%
d. Net work per cycle
) = � × <�� = 0.4947 × 210 × 10/ = 103.887 �q
e. Mean effective pressure
(z = )+% − +, = 103.887 × 10/0.45 − 0.081 = 2.815 × 10@ = d. eW` w\x
f. Power if revolution per minute is 210
(���� = )���>r>�� × ��C�����; ��� ��>�;� = 103.887 × 10/ × 21060 = _Z_. ZX ks
4. An engine with 200 mm cylinder diameter and 300 mm stroke works on theoretical
Diesel cycle. The initial pressure and temperature of air used are 1 bar and 27°C. The cut
off is 8% of the stroke. Determine if compression ratio is 15 and working fluid is air
a. Pressure and temperature at all salient points
b. Theoretical air standard efficiency
c. Mean effective pressure
d. Power of the engine if the working cycles per minutes are 380
Diameter (D) = 200 mm,
Stroke (L) = 300 mm
P1 = 1 bar, T1 = 300 K
Cutoff = 8% of stroke,
Compression ratio (r)= 15
i����� C��=� !+7" = {|,}4 = { × 0.2, × 0.34 = 0.00942 =/
N��~~ = 8% �~ ������
+/ − +, = 8%!+% − +," +/+, − 1 = 0.08 × 2+%+, − 13
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
27
0 − 1 = 0.08 × !� − 1"
0 − 1 = 0.08 × !15 − 1"
0 = 2.12
a. Pressure and temperature at all silent points
For isentropic compression 1-2
(, = (% 2+%+,3# = 1 × 10@ × 15%.- = 44.312 × 10@ = YY. _Wd w\x
�, = �% 2+%+,3#$% = 300 × !15"%.-$% = eeZ. d`_ a
For constant pressure heat addition 2-3 +,�, = +/�/ ⇒ �/ = �,+/+,
�/ = �,0 = 886.253 × 2.12 = Wene. e` a
(/ = (, = YY. _Wd w\x
For isentropic expansion process 3-4
(- = (/ 2+/+-3# = (/ 40�5# = 44.312 × 10@ × 22.1215 3%.- = d. `Z w\x
�- = �/ 2+/+-3#$% = 1878.85 × 22.1215 3y.- = e`e. jj a
b. Theoretical efficiency
� = 1 − 0# − 1�#$%.!0 − 1" = 1 − 2.12%.- − 115y.- × 1.4 × !2.12 − 1" = `j. nn%
c. Mean effective pressure
+7 = +% − +, = 0.00942 =/ +%+, = 15
Solving for V1 and V2
V1 = 0.0101 m3, V2 = 0.000673 m3
= = (%+%O�% = 1 × 10@ × 0.0101287 × 300 = 0.0117 �h
<�� = =NB!�/ − �," = 0.0117 × 1005 × !1878.85 − 886.253" = 11.671 �q
) = �<�� = 0.5977 × 11.671 = 6.975 �q
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
28
(z = )+7 = 6.975 × 10/0.00942 = 7.404 × 10@ = n. YXY w\x
d. Power at 380 rpm
(���� = )���>r>�� × >r>����>�;� = 6.975 × 10/ × 38060 = YY. Wn` ks
5. In an engine working on Dual cycle, the temperature and pressure at the beginning of the
cycle are 90°C and 1 bar respectively. The compression ratio is 9. The maximum
pressure is limited to 68 bar and total heat supplied per kg of air is 1750 kJ. Determine:
a. Pressure and temperature at all salient points
b. Air standard efficiency
c. Mean effective pressure
T1 = 90+273 = 363 K
P1 = 1 bar
Compression ratio (rc) = 9
P3 = 68 bar
qin,total = 1750 kJ/kg
a. Pressure and temperature at all salient points
For the isentropic compression process 1-2
(, = (% 2+%+,3# = 1 × 10@ × 9%.- = 21.67 × 10@ = dW. Zn w\x �, = �% 2+%+,3#$% = 363 × 9y.- = enY. We a
For constant volume heat addition process 2-3 (,�, = (/�/
�/ = (/�,(, = 68 × 10@ × 874.1821.67 × 10@ = dnY_. Wn a
Heat supplied at constant volume
�,$/ = N?!�/ − �," = 718 × !2743.17 − 874.18" = 1341.93 �q/�h
For constant pressure heat addition process 3-4
Heat added at constant pressure
�/$- = �������8 − �,$/ = 1750 − 1341.93 = 408.07 �q/�h
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
29
Also,
�/$- = NB!�- − �/"
�- = �/$-NB + �/ = 408.069 × 10/1005 + 2743.17 = _WYj. dW a
(- = (/ = Ze w\x
>��~~ ����� !0" = +-+/ = �-�/ = 3149.212743.17 = 1.15
For isentropic expansion process 4-5
(@ = (- 2+-+@3# = (- 20�D3# = 68 × 10@ × 21.159 3%.- = 3.81 × 10@ = _. eW w\x
�@ = �- 2+-+@3#$% = 3149.21 × 21.159 3y.- = W_ed. ee a
b. Air standard efficiency
Heat rejection at constant volume
���� = N?!�@ − �%" = 718 × !1382.88 − 363" = 732.27 �q/�h
� = 1 − ������� = 1 − 732.271750 = `e. W`%
c. Mean effective pressure
(z = ���� ��;������ C��=� = ��� − ����C% − C, = ��� − ����O 4�%(% − �,(,5
(z = 1750 × 10/ − 732.27 × 10/287 × 4 3631 × 10@ − 874.1821.67 × 10@5 = 10.99 × 10@ = WX. jj w\x
6. Calculate the efficiency and specific work output of a simple gas turbine working on the
Brayton cycle. The maximum and minimum temperatures of the cycle are 1000 K and
288 K respectively, the pressure ratio is 6, and the isentropic efficiencies of the
compressor and turbine are 85 and 90 percent respectively.
T3 = 1000 K
T1 = 288 K
rp = 6
ηT = 90%
ηC = 85%
a. Efficiency of the cycle
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
30
For isentropic compression process 1-2
�%(%%$## = �,(,%$## �, = �% 2(%(,3%$## = 288 × 2163$y.-%.- = 480.53 �
�- = �/ 2(/(-3%$## = 1000 × !6"$y.-%.- = 599.34 � For the turbine efficiency
�J = �/ − �-L�/ − �-
0.9 = 1000 − �-L1000 − 599.34 ⇒ �-L = 639.406 �
For compressor efficiency
�� = �, − �%�,L − �%
0.85 = 480.53 − 288�,L − 288 ⇒ �,L = 514.51 �
The cycle efficiency
� = 1 − !�-L − �%"!�/ − �,L" = 1 − 639.406 − 2881000 − 514.51 = dn. Zd%
b. Specific work output
��� = NB!�/ − �,L" = 1005 × !1000 − 514.51" = 487.917 �q
���� = ���� = 0.2762 × 487.917 = W_Y. nZ kl
1. A Carnot engine working between 400°C and 40°C produces 30 kJ of work. Determine:
a. The engine thermal efficiency
b. The heat added
c. The entropy changes during heat rejection process
2. An inventor claims that a new heat cycle will develop 0.4 kW for a heat addition of 32.5
kJ/min. Temperature of heat source is 1990 K and that of sink is 850 K. Is his claim
possible?
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
31
3. An engine of 250 mm bore and 375 mm stroke works on Otto cycle. The clearance
volume is 0.00263 m3. The initial pressure and temperature are 1 bar and 50°C. If the
maximum pressure is limited to 25 bar, find the following:
a. The air standard efficiency of the cycle [56.5%]
b. The mean effective pressure [1.334 bar]
4. In a constant volume Otto cycle, the pressure at the end of compression is 15 times that
at the start, the temperature of air at the beginning of compression is 38° C and
maximum temperature attained in the cycle is 1950°C. Determine:
a. Compression ratio [6.9]
b. Thermal efficiency [53.8%]
c. Work done [597.5 kJ]
5. A diesel engine has a compression ratio of 15 and heat addition at constant pressure
takes place at 6% of stroke. Find the air standard efficiency of the engine. [61.2%]
6. The stroke and cylinder diameter of CI engine are 250 mm and 150 mm respectively. If
the clearance volume is 0.0004 m3 and fuel injection takes place at constant pressure for
5% of the stroke determine the efficiency of the engine. [59.3%]
7. Calculate the percentage loss in the ideal efficiency of a diesel engine with compression
ratio 14 if the cut off is delayed form 5% to 8%. [2.1%]
8. The mean effective pressure of a Diesel cycle is 7.5 bar and compression ratio is 12.5.
Find the percentage cut off of the cycle if its initial pressure is 1 bar.
9. An oil engine working on the dual combustion cycle has a compression ratio 14 and the
explosion ratio obtained form an indicator card is 1.4. If the cut off occurs at 6% of
stroke, find the ideal efficiency. Take γ for air = 1.4. [61.4%]
10. The compression ratio for a single cylinder engine operating on dual cycle is 9. The
maximum pressure in the cylinder is limited to 60 bar. The pressure and temperature of
the air at the beginning of the cycle are 1 bar and 30°C. Heat added during constant
pressure process upto 4% of the stroke. Assuming the cylinder diameter and stroke
length as 250 mm and 300 respectively, determine:
a. the air standard efficiency [57.56%]
b. the power developed if the number of working cycles are 3 per second [51 kW]
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
32
Chapter 2. Reciprocating Steam Engine
2.1 Rankine cycle
Rankine Cycle is the theoretical cycle on which steam power plant (such as nuclear power
plant Fig. 2-1) works. In Rankine cycle has water as working fluid which is used to handle the
phase change between liquid and vapor.
Fig. 2-1 Rankine cycle when used in steam power plant
The processes involved in a Rankine cycle are:
Process 1-2: Reversible adiabatic compression in pump
Process 2-3: Constant pressure transfer of heat in the boiler/steam generator
Process 3-4: Reversible adiabatic expansion in the turbine
Process 4-1: Constant pressure transfer of heat in the condenser
In an ideal Rankine Cycle as shown in Fig. 2-2, the process 1-2, a pump is used to increase the
pressure of the working fluid. The working fluid enters the pump as a saturated liquid (State
1, x1 = 0) and exits the pump as a sub-cooled liquid (state 2). The fluid entered into boiler
has relatively low temperature is heated at constant pressure and leaves the boiler as a
saturated vapor (state 3, x3 = 1). This saturated vapor is expanded isentropically through
turbine to produce the work and leave as state 4. The low pressure saturated mixture is
again condensed at constant pressure in the condenser leaving as low pressure low
temperature saturated liquid (state 1). Following condensation, the liquid enters the pump.
The working fluid is returned to the high pressure for heat addition at the higher boiler
temperature, and the cycle is repeated. If we apply SFEE for four components of the Rankine
cycle, we have
For Boiler: Heat addition qin = h3 – h2
For Pump: Work Absorbed wP = h2 – h1
For Turbine: work produced wT = h3 – h4
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
33
For Condenser: Heat loss qout = h4 – h1
Fig. 2-2 Ideal Rankine Cycle
So, efficiency of Rankine Cycle is:
)(
)()(
23
1243
hh
hhhh
−
−−−=η Eq. 2.1
As compared to wT, wP is very small so in many cases we can write,
)(
)(
23
43
hh
hh
−
−=η
Eq. 2.2
Fig. 2-3 P-v diagram of Rankine Cycle
2.2 Mean temperature of heat addition
In Rankine cycle, heat is added reversibly at a constant pressure, but at variable
temperature. If Tm is the mean temperature of heat addition, as shown in Fig. 2-4 so that the
area under 2-3 is equal to the area under 2’-3’, then heat added
qin = h3 – h2 = Tm(s3 – s2)
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
34
Tm = (h3 – h2)/(s3 – s2)
qout = h4 - h1
qout = T2(s4 - s1)
qout = T2(s3 – s2)
Fig. 2-4 Mean temperature of heat addition
Now, efficiency of Rankine cycle
�������* = 1 − ������� = 1 − �,!�/ − �,"�z!�/ − �,"
�������* = 1 − �,�z Eq. 2.3
2.3 Comparison of Rankine and Carnot cycle
We know that Carnot cycle is the most efficient engine for any temperature range but it is
not preferred in vapor power cycle. When Carnot cycle is used in vapor power cycle, there
are some practical difficulties. In the following section we will compare Carnot cycle and
Rankine cycle when used as vapour power cycle.
Fig. 2-5 Comparison between Rankine and Carnot cycle
Fig. 2-5 considers three different cases for the comparison between Carnot and Rankine
cycle. In each case operating temperature range is same for both Carnot and Rankine cycle.
We know that the efficiency of Rankine and Carnot cycle depends on the operating
temperature range such that (Eq. 2.3 and Eq. 1.4).
�������* = 1 − ���z
������� = 1 − ���
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
35
Case a: TL is same for both cycle whereas (TH)Carnot is more than (Tm)Rankine. Therefore, ηCarnot
is greater than ηRankine
Case b: TL is same for both cycle whereas (TH)Carnot is more than (Tm)Rankine. Therefore, ηCarnot
is greater than ηRankine
Case c: TL is same for both cycle whereas (TH)Carnot is more than (Tm)Rankine. Therefore, ηCarnot
is greater than ηRankine
It shows that theoretically Carnot cycle is more efficient than Rankine cycle. But the Carnot
cycle cannot be realized in practice because the pump work to increase the pressure in all
cases is very large. Heat addition in case a and case b should be carried out at variable
pressure which is difficult to achieve. In case c, the problem of heat addition at constant
pressure is eliminated but to achieve the condition, it is difficult to control the quality at 1’.
2.4 Effect of pressure and temperature on Rankine cycle
2.4.1 Decreasing condenser pressure
Let us consider the exhaust pressure (condenser pressure) is dropped from P4 to P4’ as
shown in the Fig. 2-6 Because of the drop in pressure, heat rejection temperature also drops
to TL’ from TL. There is no significant change in mean temperature of heat addition (Tm).
Therefore, the net result is an increase in efficiency.
Fig. 2-6 Decreasing condenser
pressure
Fig. 2-7 Increasing boiler
pressure
Fig. 2-8 Superheating
steam
2.4.2 Increasing boiler pressure
If pressure is increased to P2 from P1 keeping the maximum temperature same, the mean
temperature of heat addition (Tm) is also increased while the temperature heat rejection
(TL) remains same. Hence the efficiency also increases.
2.4.3 Superheating steam in boiler:
When superheating of steam is increased, the mean temperature of heat addition (Tm)
increases where as temperature of heat rejection (TL) remains the same which finally leads
to the increase in cycle efficiency
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
36
2.5 Working principle of reciprocating steam engine
The working principle of a reciprocating steam engine is shown in Fig. 2-9. In a reciprocating
engine, the front port is exposed to steam chest pressure allowing the steam to enter the
cylinder and start to drive the piston. The valve then starts to travel forward and will soon
cut off the steam admission from the front port and expose the rear port. The piston will
continue on to the end of its stroke at the rear of the cylinder. The valve traveled forward,
exposing the rear port to the pressurized steam and allowed steam to enter the backside of
the piston, which will drive it back again. The valve then moves back in the original direction
as the piston continues forward. The valve will soon cover the rear port and expose the front
port to begin the process all over again.
The left port is open
allowing steam chest
pressure into the left side
of the cylinder which
pushes the piston towards
the right.
The valve is starting to
travel left and will soon
cut off steam through the
left port. The piston will
continue to the end of its
stroke due to flywheel
momentum.
Fig. 2-9 Working mechanism of reciprocating steam engine
The valve has traveled
fully left exposing the
right port to pressurized
steam.The piston will be
driven towards the left.
The left side of the
cylinder is now exposed to
the exhaust port allowing
old steam to vent.
As the piston continues its
stroke the valve again
begins moving towards
the right. It will soon close
the right port and open
the left port driving the
system towards the
condition in diagram A.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
37
Valve action in relation to piston action is shown in Fig. 2-9. Steam chest is filled with high
pressure steam at all times. A valve admits the steam into the cylinder through ports in the
cylinder wall. The same valve allows steam to escape through a center exhaust port. Since
steam force is used on both sides of the piston the engine is called “Double Action.” This
design allows very low rpm and high torque. “Single acting” engines operate by admitting
steam to only one side of a piston. The other side of the piston is exposed to a much lower
atmospheric pressure. They produce power for only 50% of the revolution.
2.6 Steam engine indicators
Engine indicator is a mechanical device, which is used to analyze the change in pressure
with respect to the piston movement. It can plot the graph showing the pressure inside the
cylinder at every point of the stroke.
Fig. 2-10 Engine indicator
The device is fitted with a plotting mechanism, pencil and paper on which the diagram is
drawn. As the piston moves back and forth and as the pressure rises and falls, the pencil will
draw a diagram indicating the pressure in the cylinder at every point of the stroke. A
provision is provided in such a way that the paper move together with the piston. The
vertical and horizontal movement of pencil is reduced by appropriate mechanism so that the
diagram will be in reduced scale. The diagram obtained from indicator is also called
indicator diagram.
2.7 Hypothetical indicator diagram
If we consider the single acting steam engine with zero clearance volume, the operations can
be divided into following processes:
Process 1-2: Constant boiler pressure (Pa) admission of steam
Process 2-3: Expansion of steam which is assumed to follow the relation Pv = constant
Process 3-4: Constant volume release of steam
Process 4-5: Constant pressure release of steam at back pressure (Pb)
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
38
Fig. 2-11 P-v diagram of steam engine
The total work done can be calculated as:
) = )%$, + ),$/ + )/$- + )-$@
) = (�!+, − +%" + (�+, log 2+/+,3 + 0 + (�!+@ − +-"
) = (�+, + (�+, log 2+/+,3 − (�+-
If expansion ratio r = V3/V2
) = (� +7� + (� +7� log!�" − (�+7 Eq. 2.4
We know that,
&��; �~~�>��C� ������� !(z" = )+7
(z = (� +7� + (� +7� log!�" − (�+7+7
(z = (�� + (�� log!�" − (�
(z = (�� !1 + log �" − (� Eq. 2.5
If clearance volume is not considered zero, the P-v diagram of steam engine will be as shown
in Fig. 2-12. As in previous case, work done can be calculated as:
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
39
Fig. 2-12 P-v diagram of engine with clearance volume
) = )%$, + ),$/ + )/$- + )-$@ + +)@$%
) = (�!+, − +%" + (�+, log 2+/+,3 + 0 + (�!+@ − +-" + 0
) = (�!+, − +D" + (�+, log!�" − (�+7 Eq. 2.6
Where, V3/V2 = r
Similarly
(z = (�!+, − +D" + (�+, log!�" − (�+7+7 Eq. 2.7
2.8 Hypothetical and actual indicator diagram
The hypothetical and actual indicator diagram is shown in the Fig. 2-13. The solid line
represents the hypothetical diagram and dotted line represents actual diagram.
Fig. 2-13 Hypothetical and actual indicator diagram
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
40
The various points of actual indicator diagram as shown in the figure are:
A ⇒ Admission of steam
B ⇒ Cutoff of steam
C ⇒ Release of steam
D ⇒ The exhaust port closes and trapped steam in clearance volume is compressed
E ⇒ Admission port opens and the trapped steam is mixed with admission steam.
There is some deviation in actual indicator diagram compared with hypothetical indicator
diagram. The admission of steam in actual is not at constant pressure. The pressure
gradually drops which is because of condensation of steam and pressure loss during steam
flow. The expansion process is not hyperbolic as assumed in hypothetical case. The opening
and closing of admission and exhaust port take some time so the region around cutoff,
release and admission of steam is not sharp. The steam left in clearance volume is
compressed at D since exhaust port is closed. The compression continues until the
admission port opens at A. The low pressure steam left in clearance volume is mixed with
high pressure admission steam which drops the admission pressure to A.
The area of actual indicator diagram is less than area of hypothetical indicator diagram. The
ratio of the area of actual indicator diagram to the area of hypothetical indicator diagram is
called Diagram Factor (DF).
|� = ���� �~ �>��� �;��>���� ���h��=���� �~ ℎr���ℎ���>�� �;��>���� ���h��=
|� = =��; �~~�>��C� ������� �~ �>��� �;��>���� ���h��= × +7=��; �~~�>��C� ������� �~ ℎr���ℎ���>�� �;��>���� ���h��= × +7
|� = !(z"�D���8!(z"��B���*��D�8 Eq. 2.8
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
41
Solved Numerical Problems
1. In a Rankine cycle steam leaves the boiler and enters the turbine at 4 MPa, 400°C. The
condenser pressure is 10 kPa. Determine,
a. The pump work per kg
b. The work output per kg
c. The cycle efficiency
d. The condenser heat flow per kg
Boiler pressure = 4 MPa
Temperature T3 = 400°C
Condenser pressure = 10 kPa
From steam table, at 4 MPa and 400°C the steam is in superheated state. The following
properties can be noted from the steam table for 4 MPa and 400°C.
h3 = 3213.4 kJ/kg
s3 = 6.7688 kJ/kgK
Since process 3-4 is isentropic, the entropy at state 3 and 4 are same.
s4 = 6.7688 kJ/kgK
Since state 4 is in two-phase region, from steam table (saturated water), for 10 kPa
sl = 0.6493 kJ/kgK and slg = 7.4989 kJ/kgK
hl = 191.83 kJ/kg and hlg = 2392.0 kJ/kg
�- = �8 + ��8�
6.7688 = 0.6493 + 7.4989�
� = 0.82
Similarly for h4
ℎ- = ℎ8 + �ℎ8�
ℎ- = 191.83 + 0.82 × 2392.0
ℎ- = 2153.27 �q/�h
The state 1 is in saturated liquid line and has pressure of 10 kPa
h1 = hl =191.83 kJ/kg
The process 1-2 is an isentropic pumping of water. The water is incompressible substance
so the work required to increase the pressure of water from pressure P1 to P2 can be written
as:
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
42
�B = C%!(, − (%"
v1 is the specific volume of saturated water at pressure P1. So from steam table, v1 =
0.001010 m3/kg. So,
�B = 0.001010 × !4 × 10f − 10 × 10/" = YXdj. jX l/k�
Pump work can also be expressed as
�B = ℎ, − ℎ%
ℎ, = �B + ℎ% = 4029.9 + 191.83 × 10/ = 195.86 �q/�h
Work output per kg
�J = ℎ/ − ℎ- = 3213.4 × 10/ − 2153.27 × 10/ = WXZX. W_ kl/k�
The cycle efficiency
� = !ℎ/ − ℎ-" − !ℎ, − ℎ%"ℎ/ − ℎ, = !3213.4 − 2153.27" × 10/ − !195.86 − 191.83" × 10/!3213.4 − 195.86" × 10/
� = _`. X%
Condenser heat flow per kg
���� = ℎ- − ℎ% = !2153.27 − 191.83" × 10/ = WjZW. YY kl/k�
2. Conventional indicator card without clearance shows the percentage cut-off as 33%.
Intake pressure is 9.85 bar and exhaust pressure is 1.125 bar. For a 50×60 cm double
acting single cylinder steam engine with a mean piston speed of 18 m/s, find the
Indicated Power for a diagram factor of 0.78. Neglect the piston rod area.
Pa = 9.85 bar
Pb = 1.125 bar
Cutoff = 33% of stroke
Bore (D) × stroke (L) = 50 × 60 cm
Mean piston speed = 18 m/s
Diagram factor = 0.78
The stroke/swept volume is,
+- = +7 = {|,}4 = { × 0.5, × 0.64 = 0.118 =/ Since, the cutoff is 33% of the stroke
+, = 0.33 × +7 = 0.33 × 0.118 = 0.0389 =/
Theoretical mean effective pressure for single acting cylinder
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
43
!(z"�� = )+7 = (�+, + (�+, ln 4+/+,5 − (�+-+7
!(z"�� = �9.85 × 0.0389 + 9.85 × 0.0389 ln 4 0.1180.03895 − 1.125 × 0.1180.118 � × 10@
!(z"�� = 5.72 ���
!(z"�D� = |� × !(z"�� = 0.78 × 5.72 = 4.46 ���
In one revolution, piston covers 2L distance. So in N rpm, the mean piston velocity can be
expressed as,
+ = 2}�60 ⇒ � = 60+2} = 60 × 182 × 0.6 = 900 ��=
Actual indicated power for double acting cylinder can be calculated as
�( = 2!(z"�D� }��60 = 2!(z"�D� +7�60 = 2 × 4.46 × 10@ × 0.118 × 90060
�V = W`ne. eY ks
3. Determine the actual mean effective pressure for a steam engine receiving steam at a
pressure of 6 bar; cut-off takes place when the piston has travelled 0.4 of the stroke in
which clearance volume is 10% of the stroke volume. Back pressure is 1.03 bar and the
diagram factor is 0.7.
Pa = 6 bar
Pb = 1.03 bar
Cutoff = 0.4 of stroke
Clearance volume = 10% of stroke volume
Diagram factor = 0.7
+D = +% = 0.1+7
+, − +% = 0.4 +7 ⇒ +, = 0.1+7 + 0.4+7 = 0.5+7
+/ = +- = +7 + +D = +7 + 0.1+7 = 1.1+7
Theoretical mean effective pressure is
!(z"�� = )+7 = (�!+, − +%" + (�+, ln 4+/+,5 + (�!+@ − +-"+7
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
44
!(z"�� = (� × 0.4+7 + (� × 0.5+7 × ln 21.1+70.5+73 − (�+7+7
!(z"�� = (� × 0.4 + (� × 0.5 × ln 21.10.53 − (�
!(z"�� = 26 × 0.4 + 6 × 0.5 × ln 21.10.53 − 1.033 × 10@ = 3.73 ���
!(z"�D� = |� × !(z"�� = 0.7 × 3.73 = d. ZW w\x
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
45
Chapter 3. Internal Combustion Engine
3.1 Introduction
Any type of engine or machine which derives heat energy form the combustion of fuel or any
other source and converts this energy into mechanical work is termed as heat engine. Heat
engine may be classified as follow:
Fig. 3-1 Classification of heat engine
• External combustion engine: In external combustion engine, the fuel that runs the engine
is burned outside the engine. Example: Steam turbine
• Internal combustion engine (IC engine): In IC engine, the fuel that runs the engine is
burned inside the cylinder of the engine. Example: Automobile
In reciprocating engine, piston, connecting rod and crank-shaft are used to convert
reciprocating motion into rotary motion. There are two types of reciprocating engines:
Spark-Ignition engine (SI engine) and Compression-Ignition engine (CI engine). The
differences between the two are:
• The types of fuel used
• The way the fuel gets into the engine cylinder
• The way the fuel is ignited
The spark-ignition engine uses a highly volatile fuel which turns to vapor easily, such as
gasoline. The fuel is mixed with air before it enters the engine cylinder. The fuel turns into a
vapor and mixes with the air to form a combustible air-fuel mixture. This mixture then
enters the cylinders and is compressed. Next, an electric spark produced by the ignition
system sets fire to, or ignites, the compressed air fuel mixture.
In the compression-ignition engine, the fuel is mixed with the air after the air enters the
engine cylinder. Air alone is taken into the cylinder of the diesel engine. The air is then
compressed as the piston moves up. The air is compressed so much that its temperature
goes up to 550°C or higher. Then the diesel-engine fuel is injected into the engine cylinder.
The hot air, or heat of compression, ignites the fuel.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
46
3.2 Classification of IC engines
Internal-combustion engine may be classified according to:
• Number of cylinder:
o Single cylinder or multi cylinder
• Arrangement of cylinder:
o Horizontal engine
o Vertical engine
o V-type engine
o Radial engine
Fig. 3-2 Cylinder arrangement
• Arrangement of valves:
o Overhead type
o T-head type
o L-head type
o F-head type
• Types of cooling
o Air cooled or liquid cooled
• Number of strokes per cycle
o Two stroke or four stroke
• Type of fuel used
o Gasoline (Petrol) or Diesel
• Method of ignition
o Compression ignition or spark ignition
• Reciprocating or rotary
3.3 Working cycle of IC engines
An internal combustion engine can work on any one of the following cycles:
1. Constant volume or Otto cycle
2. Constant pressure or Diesel cycle
3. Dual combustion cycle
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
47
3.3.1 Engine operation- four stroke SI cycle
1. Intake stroke: During the intake stroke (Suction stroke/induction stroke), the piston
moves downward form TDC (Top Dead Centre) to BDC (Bottom Dead Centre). The intake
valve is open. As the piston moves down, vacuum is created inside the cylinder. So air-
fuel mixture enters the cylinder through the inlet valve. As the piston passes through
BDC, the intake valve closes. Since the outlet valve is still closed, the upper end of the
cylinder is sealed off.
2. Compression stroke: After the piston passes through BDC, it starts moving up. The air
fuel mixture is compressed. The degree of compression is based on the compression
ratio of the engine. The average compression ratio of SI engine is 8:1.
Fig. 3-3 Four stroke SI engine operating cycle
3. Power stroke (Expansion stroke): As the piston nears TDC on the compression stroke,
an electric spark is produced by spark plug in the cylinder. The spark sets fire to the
compressed air-fuel mixture. The temperature of burning mixture rises up to 3300°C
and the pressure inside the cylinder also increases. The work is obtained during this
stroke. The high pressure in the cylinder pushes the piston down. The downward push is
carried through the connecting rod to the crankshaft. The flywheel is mounted on the
engine shaft to store energy so that it can be used during remaining three ideal strokes.
4. Exhaust stroke: As the piston approaches BDC on the power stroke, the exhaust valve
opens. Now, as the piston moves up again after BDC, the burned gases escape through
the exhaust valve. Then, as the piston nears TDC, the intake valve opens. As the piston
passes through TDC and start down again, the exhaust valve closes. Now another intake
stroke takes place.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
48
3.3.2 Engine operation- four stroke CI cycle
As in four stroke SI engine, four stroke CI engine is also completed in four strokes: intake
stroke, compression stroke, power stroke and exhaust stroke. The working principle of each
stroke is almost similar as it is in SI cycle. During intake stroke, only air is pumped in the
cylinder unlike air-fuel mixture in SI engine. The air is compressed with compression ratio
of around 22:1. As the air is compressed the temperature of air rises up to 538°C. As piston
nears TDC on compression stroke, the fuel injector sprays diesel into combustion chamber.
The high temperature-air ignites the fuel and the power stroke and then exhaust stroke
follows.
Fig. 3-4 Four stroke CI engine operating cycle
3.3.3 Engine operation-two stroke cycle
The Fig. 3-5 shows a two stroke petrol engine. During upward stroke of the piston, the gas in
the piston is compressed and at the same time fresh air-fuel mixture enters the crank
chamber through the valve V. At the end of the compression, spark plug ignites the air-fuel
mixture burns. The increased pressure in the cylinder pushes the piston and near the end of
the stroke, the piston uncovers the exhaust gas port and exhaust gas escape through the
port. During downward movement, the air-fuel mixture in the crank case (CC) also gets
compressed. As soon as the transfer port (TP) is uncovered by the down moving piston, the
air-fuel mixture form the crank case enters to the cylinder. The special shape in the piston
top helps air-fuel mixture to flow upward and helps the exhaust gas to escape out of the
exhaust port. During exhaust, some of the unburned air-fuel mixture also escapes through
exhaust port along with the burned gas. As the piston again moves upward, the air-fuel
mixture gets compressed and another cycle is repeated.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
49
Fig. 3-5 Two stroke engine
3.4 Valve timing diagram of four stroke IC engine
In describing the operation of the four stroke cycle engine, it was explained that the inlet
valve is open during the suction stroke and the exhaust valve during the exhaust stroke. But
in real practice the valve opening timing is different.
Fig. 3-6 Actual valve timing for four stroke engine
The Fig. 3-6 shows the typical valve timing diagram. Intake valve opens about 20° before
TDC. This allows the valve to be open completely when suction strokes starts. The intake
valve remains open well after the piston reaches the BDC during suction stroke. This gives
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
50
additional time for air-fuel mixture or air to flow into the cylinder. The delivery of adequate
amount or charge to the cylinder is the critical item in the engine operation. Actually, the
cylinders are never quite filled up when intake valve closes especially during high speed.
This period varies from 30 to 70 degree in modern automotive engines.
In similar manner, exhaust valve starts to open about 35° before piston reaches BDC on the
power stroke and stays open until 10° after TDC on the intake stroke. This gives more time
for the exhaust gas to leave the cylinder. By the time the piston reaches 35° before BDC on
the power stroke, the combustion pressure has dropped considerably. Little power is lost by
giving the exhaust gas this extra time to leave the cylinder. Closing the exhaust valve after
TDC on suction stroke allows exhaust gases to move rapidly for the cylinder into exhaust
port thus prevents the exhaust gas to be retained in the clearance space of the cylinder.
The spark plug produces spark about 30 – 40 degree before TDC on power stroke thus fuel
gets more time to burn.
Exercise for you
• List the major differences between SI engine and CI engine.
• What are the differences between two stroke and four stroke engine
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
51
3.5 Components of IC engines
Fig. 3-7 Engine components
The working principle of CI and SI engine is almost same so the construction of both engines
is same. There are numbers of components common to both engines.
1. Cylinder block/cylinder: The cylinder block is the foundation of the engine. Everything
else is put inside of or attached to the block. Most cylinder blocks are cast in one piece
form grey iron or iron alloy or aluminum alloy. It contains large holes for cylinder bore
where the gas is compressed (Fig. 3-7)
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
52
2. Piston and piston rings: Piston is usually made of aluminum alloy. Piston can slide up
and down in the cylinder easily. Piston undergoes great stress. During power stroke, up
to 1814 kg is suddenly applied to the piston head. This happens 30 to 40 times a second
at high speed. The temperature above the piston head can reach 2200°C. The piston
must be strong. But it must be light, too, to reduce inertia loads on the bearing. Modern
automotive engines use aluminum alloy piston. Since the diameter of piston is smaller
than that of cylinder, the gap must be sealed to avoid the leak of compressed air-fuel
mixture (in SI engine)/air (in CI engine) and high pressure burned gas. The escape of
unburned and burned gas from the combustion chamber, past the pistons, and into the
crankcase is called “blow by”. “Blow by” would greatly reduce the efficiency of the engine.
To avoid this, piston rings are installed on the piston. The piston rings are split at one
point so they can be expanded slightly and slipped over the piston and into the grooves
cut in the piston. Piston rings are of two types and they do two jobs:
a. Compression rings: The compression rings seal in the unburned gas as it is
compresses. They also seal in the combustion pressure as the mixture burns.
b. Oil-control rings: Oil-control rings scrape excessive oil that is splashed on the wall so
that it does not get up into the combustion chamber where it would burn.
Fig. 3-8 Piston and piston rings
3. Cylinder head: The cylinder head encloses one end of the engine cylinders and forms
the upper end of the combustion chambers. The cylinder head includes water jackets
and passages from the valves ports to the openings in the manifolds.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
53
Fig. 3-9 Combustion chamber
4. Inlet and exhaust manifold: The intake manifold is a series of tubes that carry air to the
engine cylinders. The exhaust manifold is a set of tubes that carry the exhaust gases form
the engine cylinder.
5. Connecting rod: The connecting rod is attached at one end to a crankpin on the
crankshaft. It is attached at other end to a piston, through a piston pin. The connecting
rod must be very strong and rigid, and as light as possible. The connecting rod carries
the power thrust form the piston to the crankshaft.
6. Crankshaft: The crankshaft is a strong one-piece casting or forging of heat-treated alloy
steel. The crankshaft must be strong enough to take the downward push of the piston
during the power strokes without excessive twisting. In addition, the crankshaft must be
carefully balanced to eliminate undue vibration resulting form the weight of the offset
cranks. To provide balance, crankshafts have counterweight opposite to the cranks.
Crankshafts have drilled oil passage through which oil flows form the main to the
connecting-rod end.
Fig. 3-10 Crankshaft
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
54
7. The valves: Most engines have two holes in the enclosed upper end of the cylinder. One
of two holes is the intake valve. It allows the air or air-fuel mixture or air to enter the
cylinder. The other is exhaust valve. It allows the burned gases to exhaust form the
cylinder.
Fig. 3-11 Valve mechanism
8. Engine bearing: Bearings are placed in the engine wherever there is rotary motion
between engine parts. These engine bearings are called sleeve bearing because they are
shaped like sleeves that fit around the rotating shaft. The part of the shaft that rotates in
the bearing is called a journal. Connecting-rod and crankshaft bearings are of the split, or
half, type. Typical bearing half is made up of a steel or bronze back. The bearing material
is soft. Therefore the bearing wears with more ease compared with the other mechanical
part of the engine. The cost of bearing is less than that of engine part so the replacement
cost of bearing is less.
9. Crank case: The bottom of the cylinder block and the oil pan form crank case. The oil
pan holds lubricating oil. When the engine is running, the oil pump sends oil form the oil
pan up to the moving engine parts.
10. Fly wheel: Fly wheel attached with one end of crank shaft performs the following
functions:
a. Stores energy required to rotate the shaft during ideal strokes (intake,
compression and exhaust strokes)
b. Makes crank shaft rotation more uniform.
c. Facilitates the starting of the engine.
3.6 Parts common to SI engine
1. Spark plug: The main function of spark plug is to conduct the high potential form the
ignition system into the combustion chamber. The spark plug is a metal shell in which a
porcelain insulator is fastened. An electrode extends through the centre of of the
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
55
insulator. The metal shell has a short electrode attached to one side. The outer electrode
is bent inward to produce the proper gap between it and the centre electrode. High
tension current jumping from the supply electrode produces the necessary spark. The
correct type of plug with correct gap between the electrodes is important factor.
Fig. 3-12 Spark plug
2. Carburetor: Carburetion is the mixing of gasoline fuel with air to get a combustible
mixture. The function of carburetor is to supply a combustible atomized fuel and air
mixture of varying degree of richness to suit the engine operation conditions. The
mixture must be rich for starting, acceleration and high speed operation. The lean
mixture is desirable at intermediate speed with a warm engine.
3.7 Parts common to CI engine
1. Fuel injector: Fuel injector injects the fuel inside the cylinder of CI engine at the start
of the expansion stroke.
2. Fuel pump: The fuel form fuel tank is pumped to the fuel injector by fuel pump.
3.8 Basic engine parameters
1. Top dead centre (TDC): The top most position that piston can reach.
2. Bottom dead centre (BDC): The lowest position that piston can reach.
3. Stroke length: The distance between TDC and BDC or length covered by piston during
one stroke
4. Bore: Diameter of the cylinder
5. Swept volume (Vs): It is the product of cross-section area of the cylinder and stroke
length. It can also be defined as a volume covered by the piston during one stroke.
Engine capacity is defined in terms of swept volume expressed in cc. A four cylinder
engine marked as 1.2 ltr has four cylinders each having swept volume of 300 cc.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
56
6. Clearance volume (Vc): Volume left above the piston when the piston is in TDC.
7. Compression ratio (r): r = (Vs + Vc)/Vc
Fig. 3-13 Bore stroke
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
57
Chapter 4. Performance of Internal Combustion Engine
4.1 Mean effective pressure (MEP)
When work done per cycle is divided by swept volume per cycle, the parameter obtained is
called mean effective pressure. Mean Effective Pressure (MEP) can also be defined as the
pressure that, if it acted on the piston during the entire power stroke, would do an amount
of work equal to that actually done on the piston (Fig. 4-1).
Fig. 4-1 Mean effective pressure
&'( = )�*�+7����* Eq. 4.1
4.2 Indicated power (IP)
Fig. 4-2 Pressure in the cylinder during each stroke
Indicated power is the total power that the engine develops inside the combustion chamber
during the combustion process. A special device is required to measure IP. It measures the
pressure in the engine cylinder. As shown in the Fig. 4-2 pressure is highest during power
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
58
stroke. The average of pressure in four strokes is also called indicated mean effective
pressure.
The relation between indicated mean effective pressure and IP can be derived as follow:
From Eq. 4.1
) = (z+7
) = (z}�
[L = Length of stroke, A = Cross-section area of the cylinder]
∵ (���� = )���>r>�� × >r>����>�;�
�( = )�60 = (z}�60
For n cylinder engine
�( = ;(z}�60
In four stroke engine, power is generated once in two revolution of the crankshaft but in two
stroke engine power is developed in every revolution of engine. So equation of IP can be
written in general terms as,
�( = �;(z}�60 × 1000 Eq. 4.2
Where, IP = Indicated power (kW)
n = Number of cylinder
Pm = Indicated mean effective pressure (N/m2)
L = Length of stroke (m)
A = Cross-section area of cylinder (m2)
N = rpm of crank shaft.
k = 1 for two stroke engine and 1/2 for four stroke engine.
4.3 Brake power (BP)
The power developed by an engine at the output shaft is called the brake power. Not all the
IP developed by the engine is available as useful power to do work. Part of is lost in the
engine as friction power (FP). FP is the power required to overcome the friction of the
moving parts in the engine. One of the major causes of friction loss is piston-ring friction. In
addition to the friction loss, FP also includes the work of charging absorbed during exhaust
and suction stroke. Resistance of air to flywheel rotation and power required to drive the
auxiliaries.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
59
BP = IP – FP Eq. 4.3
100060
knLAN
BPbmep
××=
Eq. 4.4
Where, BP = Brake Power (kW)
n = Number of cylinder
bmep = Break mean effective pressure (N/m2)
L = Length of stroke (m)
A = Cross-section area of cylinder (m2)
N = rpm of crank shaft.
4.4 Engine efficiencies
Mechanical efficiency IP
BPmechanical =η
Eq. 4.5
Brake thermal efficiency f
thermalBmC
BP= ,η
Eq. 4.6
Indicated thermal efficiency f
thermalImC
IP= ,η
Eq. 4.7
Where, BP = Brake Power, IP = Indicated power, m = mass of fuel, Cf = Calorific value or
heating value of the fuel.
• Volumetric efficiency: During intake stroke, the passage of air is restricted by filter,
carburetor and throttle plate. The parameter used to measure the effectiveness of an
engine induction process is called volumetric efficiency. It is the ratio of the volume
Va of air admitted or air-fuel mixture admitted to the engine cylinder during suction
referred to NTP to the suction volume of the piston.
p
a
volumetricV
V=η
Eq. 4.8
• Relative efficiency
ration compressio samefor efficiency standardair Ideal
efficiency thermalindicated actual=relativeη
Eq. 4.9
• Air-fuel ratio (Fuel-air ratio): It is the ratio of mass of air to the mass of fuel in air-
fuel mixture.
• Stoichiometric air-fuel ratio: Ratio of amount of air (oxygen in air) required to
combust a certain amount of fuel in chemically balanced condition. According to
chemical reaction, 14.7 kg of air is required to burn 1 kg of gasoline. So the
stoichiometric A/F ratio for gasoline is 14.7:1. Similarly that of diesel is 14.6:1.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
60
• Relative air-fuel mixture: Ratio of actual A/F ratio to stoichiometric A/F ratio. It is
also known as lamda.
( )( )
Stoich
actual
FA
FA
/
/=λ
Eq. 4.10
Lamda of 1 is stoich mixture, rich mixtures are less than 1 and lean mixtures are
more than 1.
• Equivalence ratio (φ): Ratio of actual F/A ratio to stoichiometric F/A ratio. It is an
inverse of λ
(((( ))))(((( ))))
Stoich
actual
AF
AF
/
/====φφφφ
Eq. 4.11
Specific fuel consumption (kg/kWh) BP
msfc
f= Eq. 4.12
Where, mf= mass of fuel used per hour
4.5 Heat balance for IC engine
First law of thermodynamics for a steady flow open system can be well applied for the
analysis of the overall heat (energy) balance for the IC engine. According the principle, total
energy leaving the system is equal to the total energy incoming to the system. In case of an
IC engine, the relation can be expressed as
LHVf
.
e
.
misc
.
cool
.
b QP mHQQ ====++++++++++++ Eq. 4.13
In the above Eq. 4.13, f
.
m is the mass flow rate of fuel entering the cylinder. It combined
with lower heating value of fuel (QLHV), represents the total energy incoming the cylinder in
the form of fuel. The fraction of heat produced upon burning of fuel is used for brake power
(Pb). Remaining heat is lost through the cooling water (cool
.
Q ), exhaust gas enthalpy ( e
.
H )
and miscellaneous loss (misc
.
Q ). Miscellaneous heat loss includes the friction power lost in
bearings, valve mechanism and heat lost during cooling by lubricating oil. Typical values of
each of each of these terms with reference to percentage of fuel heating value are given in
the table below.
Pb cool
.
Q misc
.
Q e
.
H
Percentage of fuel heating value
SI engine 25-28 17-26 3-10 36-50
CI engine 34-38 16-35 2-6 23-37
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
61
Energy balance can be illustrated through the Fig. 4-3below.
Fig. 4-3 Energy balance in IC engine
4.6 Torque-power-speed relationship
The torque that an engine can develop changes with engine rpm. During intermediate
speeds, volumetric efficiency is high. There is sufficient time for the cylinder to become
fairly well filled up. This means that with a fairly full charge of air-fuel mixture, higher
combustion pressure will develop. With higher combustion pressure, the engine torque is
higher. But, at higher speed, volumetric efficiency drops off. There is not enough time for the
cylinders to become filled up with air-fuel mixture. Since there is less air-fuel mixture to
burn, the combustion pressure is not as high. There is less push on the pistons. Therefore,
engine torque is lower. The Fig. 4-4 shows how the torque drops off as engine speed
increases. The decrease in BP is due to reduced torque at higher speed and to increased FP
at the higher speed. Note that the curves are for one particular engine only. Different
engines have different torque and BP. Peaks may be at higher or lower speed.
Fig. 4-4 Torque-power-speed relationship
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62
The empirical equation that defines the relation between shaft power and the engine speed
is
−+=
2
maxmaxmax
max 09.156.153.0N
N
N
N
N
NPP
Eq. 4.14
Where, P = Brake Power
Pmax = maximum power an engine can produce (obtained in engine specification)
Nmax= shaft rpm at which engine can produce maximum power
Engine shaft power and shaft torque that engine can develop can be related as
60
2 NTP
π=
Eq. 4.15
Where, P = Brake Power, N = engine rpm, T = torque at engine shaft
Figure 4-1 Torque-sfc and Power-sfc relationship
4.7 Gasoline and gaseous fuel system
4.7.1 Gasoline
Gasoline is a hydrocarbon (abbreviated HC), made up largely of hydrogen and carbon
compounds. The resulting exhaust gas contains water vapor, carbon dioxide, and the
pollutants carbon monoxide (partly burned gasoline) and hydrocarbons (unburned
gasoline).
Gasoline is made from crude oil by a refining process that also produce engine lubricating
oil, diesel fuel oil, and other products. During the refining process, several additives are put
into the gasoline to improve its characteristics. Good gasoline should have:
1. Proper volatility, which determines how quickly gasoline vaporizes
2. Resistance to spark knock, or detonation
3. Oxidation inhibitors, which prevent formation of gum in the fuel system
4. Antirust agents, which prevent rusting of metal parts in the fuel system
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
RPN
sfc
kg
/kW
h
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Po
we
r kW
sfc
Power
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
Torque
N-m
sfc
kg/k
Wh
r pm
s fc Torque
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
63
5. Anti-icers, which retard carburetor icing and fuel-line freezing
6. Detergents, which help keep the carburetor clean
7. Dye for identification
After gasoline is mixed with air in the carburetor, the gasoline must vaporize quickly, before
it enters the engine cylinder. If the gasoline is slow to vaporize, tiny drops of liquid gasoline
will enter the cylinders. Because these drops do not burn, some of the fuel is wasted. It goes
out the tail pipe and helps create atmospheric pollution. Also, the gasoline drops tend to
wash the lubricating oil off the cylinder walls. This increases the wear on the cylinder walls,
piston rings, and pistons.
The ease with which gasoline vaporizes is called its volatility. A high-volatility gasoline
vaporizes very quickly. A good gasoline should have just the right volatility for the climate in
which the gasoline is to be used. If the gasoline is too volatile, it will vaporize in the fuel
system. The result will be a condition called vapor lock. It prevents the flow of gasoline to
the carburetor. Vapor lock causes the engine to stall from lack of fuel.
4.7.2 Carburetion system:
Carburetion is the mixing of gasoline fuel with air to get a combustible mixture. The function
of carburetor is to supply a combustible atomized fuel and air mixture of varying degree of
richness to suit the engine operation conditions. Atomization is breaking of fuel into fine
droplets. Each droplet is then exposed to air so that it vaporized quickly. It would be
desirable to pass on the fuel in completely vaporized phase mixed with air but complete
vaporization is not possible. The mixture must be rich for starting, acceleration and high
speed operation. The lean mixture is desirable at intermediate speed with a warm engine.
Fig. 4-5 Basic carburetor construction
Basic components of carburetor are venturi tube, fuel reservoir, throttle valve and float
system. The carburetor works on Bernoulli’s principle. As air passes the venture tube, some
of static head of air is converted to velocity head. The high velocity air through the venture
creates partial vacuum or suction in it. The suction draws the gasoline form the discharge
jet. The fuel gets mixed with the air flowing through the venture. The level of fuel in fuel
reservoir and in the discharge tube is maintained by the float system in the reservoir. As the
fuel level in the reservoir falls, the float moves down and the needle valve opens thus the
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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fuel flows in the reservoir. When fuel level rises to certain level, the float moves up and
pushes needle valve into the valve seat.
4.7.3 Air mixing
As discussed in the previous section, air is mixed with fuel in carburetor and combustible
mixture is sent to the combustion chamber in intake stroke. The ideal mixture of air and fuel
is called stoichiometric mixture (λ or φ = 1). But mixture requirements are different
depending on operating condition. Different operating conditions and their respective air
mixing process are discussed as follow.
Idle system: When throttle valve is closed or only slightly opened, only a small amount of air
can pass through the air horn. The air speed is low, and very little vacuum develops in the
venture. This means fuel nozzle does not discharge fuel. Therefore the carburetor must have
another system to supply fuel when the throttle is closed or slightly open. This system,
called idle system, is shown in the Fig. 4-6. It includes passage through which air and fuel
can flow. The air passage is called air bleed. With the throttle valve closed there is a high
vacuum below the throttle valve form the intake manifold. Atmospheric pressure pushed air
and fuel through the idle mixture screw. The mixture has high proportion of fuel.
Fig. 4-6 Idle system
Fig. 4-7 Low speed operation
Low-speed operation: When the throttle valve is open slightly, as shown in Fig. 4-7, the
edge of the throttle valve moves past the low speed-operation port in the side of the air
horn. Therefore additional fuel is fed into the intake manifold through the low-speed port.
This fuel mixes with the additional air moving past the slightly opened throttle valve. The
additional mixture fuel provides sufficient mixture richness for part-throttle low-speed
operation.
Main-metering system: When the throttle valve is opened enough, sufficient air moves
through the air horn to produce a vacuum in the venture. As a result, the fuel nozzle begins
to discharge fuel. The wider the throttle is opened and the faster the air flows through the
air horn, the greater the vacuum in the venture. This means that additional fuel will be
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
65
discharged from the main nozzle. As the result nearly constant air-fuel ratio is maintained
by the main-metering system form part to wide opened throttle.
Fig. 4-8 Main metering system
Power enrichment system: For high-speed full power wide-open-throttle operation, the
air-fuel mixture must be enriched so engine can deliver its maximum power but utilizing all
the oxygen present in induced air. The rich mixture ensures the consumption of all the
oxygen. Additional device are incorporated in the carburetor to provide the enriched
mixture during high-speed-full-power operation.
Accelerator pump: When the throttle plate is opened rapidly, the fuel-air mixture flowing
into the engine cylinder leans out temporarily. The primary reason for this is time lag
between fuel flow into the air stream at the carburetor and fuel flow past the intake valve.
While much of the fuel flow into the cylinder is fuel vapor or small fuel droplets carried by
the air stream, a fraction of the fuel flows into the manifold and port walls and form a liquid
film. The fuel which impacts on the walls evaporates more slowly than fuel carried by the air
stream and introduces a lag between the air/fuel ratio produced at the carburetor and
air/fuel ratio delivered to the cylinder. An accelerator pump is used as the throttle plate is
opened rapidly to supply additional fuel into the air stream at the carburetor to compensate
for this leaning effect.
4.7.4 Temperature effect
When the temperature of the surrounding drops considerably than normal, only part of the
fuel vaporizes. Therefore extra fuel must be delivered to get the combustible air fuel mixture
that permits the engine to start. So during cold weather, the carburetor must supply rich
mixture. The elementary carburetor cannot enrich the mixture as required for cold start up.
For this purpose, choke system is supplied with elementary carburetor. Primary element of
choke system is a plate kept upstream of the carburetor.
Choke system
The working of choke can be explained with the help with the help of the Fig. 4-9. During
cranking, air speed through the carburetor air horn is very low. Vacuum form the venturi
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
66
action and vacuum below the throttle valve would be insufficient to produce adequate fuel
flow for starting. To produce enough fuel flow during cranking, the carburetor has a choke.
When the choke is closed, it is almost horizontal. Only a small amount of air can get past it.
The valve has “choked off” the air flow. Then, when the engine is cranked with choke closed,
a fairly high vacuum develops in the air horn. This vacuum causes the main nozzle to
discharge a heavy stream of fuel. The quantity delivered is sufficient to produce the air-fuel
mixture needed for starting the engine.
Fig. 4-9 Choke system
4.7.5 Altitude effect
An inherent characteristic of the conventional carburetor is that it meters fuel flow in
proportion to the air volume flow rate. Air density changes with ambient pressure and
temperature but change in pressure with altitude is most significant. To reduce the impact
of changes in altitude, modern carburetors are fitted with provisions for altitude
compensation.
4.7.6 Gasoline fuel injection system
Fig. 4-10 Distribution of air fuel mixture in intake manifold
One of the most difficult problems in a carbureted system is to get the same amount and
richness of air-fuel mixture to each cylinder. The problem is that the intake manifold acts as
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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sorting device, sending a richer air-fuel mixture to the end cylinders (Fig. 4-10) since the air
flow readily around corners and through variously shaped passages. However, the fuel is
unable to travel as easily around the bends in the intake manifold. As a result, some of the
fuel particles continue to move to the end of the intake manifold, accumulating or puddling
there. This enriches the mixture going to the end cylinders. The centre cylinder, closest to
the carburetor, get the leanest mixture.
The port fuel-injection system (Fig. 4-11) solves this problem because the same amount of
fuel is injected at each intake-valve port. Each cylinder gets the same amount of air-fuel
mixture of the same mixture richness. In port fuel-injection system, the fuel is injected into
the intake manifold through fuel-injection valves. Injection valve is positioned in the intake
port near the intake valve.
Fig. 4-11 Port injection system
4.7.7 Electronic fuel injection
The development of solid-state electronic devices such as diodes and transistors made
electronic fuel injection possible. In this system, fuel metering is controlled primarily by
engine speed and the amount of air that actually enters the engine.
Fig. 4-12 Basic block diagram of Electronic Fuel Injection system
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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The airflow sensor in the air intake measures the amount of air that enters. Modern
electronic fuel-injection systems include an oxygen sensor to measure the amount of oxygen
in the exhaust gas and send this information to the electronic control unit. If there is too
much oxygen, the mixture is too lean. If there is too little, the mixture is too rich. In either
case, the ECU adjusts air-fuel ratio by changing the amount of fuel injected.
4.8 Ignition system
The ignition system supplies high voltage surges to the spark plugs in the cylinders. These
surges produce electric sparks across the spark-plug’s electrode gap. The spark ignites the
air-fuel mixture. It must create this spark at the appropriate time during the compression
stroke. Usually spark timing is set to give maximum brake torque for the specific operating
condition. For a given engine design, this optimum spark timing varies as engine speed, inlet
manifold pressure and mixture composition vary. Thus, in most applications, and especially
the automotive application, the system must have means for automatically changing the
spark timing as engine speed and load vary. When the engine is idling, the spark appears at
the plug gap just as the piston nears TDC on the compression stroke. When the engine is
operating at higher speed, or with part throttle, the spark is advanced. It is moved ahead and
occurs earlier in the compression stroke. This gives the compressed mixture more time to
burn and deliver its energy to the piston.
4.8.1 Contact point ignition system (Conventional system)
The basic circuit of contact point ignition system is shown in the Fig. 4-13. It includes the
battery, the primary and secondary coil, the ignition distributor, the spark plugs and the
wires and cables that connect them. The distributor has a shaft that is driven by gear on the
cam shaft. There are two separate circuits through the distributor. One is primary circuit
and the other is secondary circuit.
The primary circuit includes the battery, the ignition switch, primary resistance, primary
winding (consists few hundred turns of relatively heavy wires) in the ignition coil, contact
point circuit breaker, and primary wiring. As the distributor cam rotates, the cam lobe
pushes the arm out so that the contact point is moved away from the stationary point and
primary circuit breaks. As soon as the lobe passes out, the spring bring back the arm the
primary circuit is connected. There are same numbers of lobes on the cam as there are
cylinders in the engine.
The secondary circuit consists of the cables that connect the secondary winding (consists of
thousands of turns of a very fine wire) to the cap centre terminal and the outer cap terminal
to the spark plugs.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
69
Fig. 4-13 Circuit diagram of contact point ignition system
When the contact points are closed, they connect the primary winding of the ignition coil
with the battery. Current flows through the coil, causing a magnetic field to build up around
it. Then, when the points are opened, this disconnects the primary winding form the battery.
The resulting decay of magnetic flux in primary coil induces the short pulse of high voltage
in the secondary winding of the coil. The high-voltage surge (equal to break down potential
of spark plug) flows through the distributor cap and rotor to the spark plug in the cylinder
in which piston is nearing the end of compression stroke.
Centrifugal advance: As engine speed increases, the spark must occur in the combustion
chamber earlier in the cycle. If the engine is idling, the spark must occur just before the
piston reaches TDC. At low speed, the spark has enough time to ignite the compressed air-
fuel mixture. However, at higher speeds, the spark must occur earlier. The spark must be
given enough time to ignite the mixture. Without this spark advance, the piston would be up
over TDC and moving down before the combustion pressure reaches a maximum. As a result
the piston would keep ahead of the pressure rise. A weak power stroke would result. The
action of centrifugal-advance mechanism causes the contact points to open and close earlier.
Therefore, the ignition coil produces high voltage surge earlier and and the spark appear
earlier in the combustion chamber.
4.8.2 Limitations of conventional ignition system
The major limitations of the breaker-operated induction-coil system are the decrease in
available voltage as engine speed increases due to decreasing time available to build up the
primary coil stored energy. In addition to this, the breaker points are subjected electrical
and mechanical wear, which results in short maintenance interval.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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4.8.3 Electronic ignition system
To eliminate the limitations of conventional ignition system, electronic ignition system is
used electronic ignition system is widely used. The basic difference between the contact-
point and electronic ignition system is in the primary circuit. The primary circuit in the
contact-point is opened and closed by contact points. In electronic system, the primary
circuit is opened and closed by electronic control unit (ECU). For example, the distributor
points and cam assembly of the conventional ignition system are replaced by a magnetic
pulse generating system which detects the distributor shaft position and sends electrical
pulses to an electronic control unit. The unit switches off the flow of current to the coil
primary windings, inducing the high voltage in the secondary windings which is distributed
to the spark plugs as in the conventional breaker system.
With the help of electronic ignition system, maintenance of ignition system is reduced; spark
plug life is extended and ignition of lean and dilute mixtures is improved.
4.8.4 Compression ignition engine
In a compression ignition engine, self-ignition of the air-fuel mixture is a necessity. The
correct fuel must be chosen which will self-ignite at the precise proper time in the engine
cycle. It is therefore necessary to have knowledge and control of the ignition delay time of
the fuel. The property that quantifies this is called the Cetane number.
Fuel is injected by the fuel-injection system into the engine cylinder toward the end of the
compression stroke, just before the desired start of combustion. The liquid fuel, usually
injected at high velocity as one or more jets through small orifices or nozzles in the injector
tip, atomizes into small drops and penetrates into the combustion chamber. The fuel
vaporizes and mixes with the high-temperature high-pressure cylinder air. Since the air
temperature and pressure are above the fuel's ignition point, spontaneous ignition of
portions of the already-mixed fuel and air occurs. The cylinder pressure increases as
combustion of the fuel-air mixture occurs. The consequent compression of the unburned
portion of the charge shortens the delay before ignition for the fuel and air which has mixed
to within combustible limits, which then bums rapidly. It also reduces the evaporation time
of the remaining liquid fuel. Injection continues until the desired amount of fuel has entered
the cylinder.
4.8.5 Types of diesel combustion system
Based on combustion chamber design, diesel engine is divided into two categories, direct
injection (DI) engine which have single open combustion chamber into which fuel is
injected directly; and indirect injection (IDI) engine in which combustion chamber is
divided into two regions and the fuel is injected into the “pre-chamber” which is connected
to main chamber via nozzle. IDI design engines are only used in small engine sizes.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
71
4.8.6 Fuel injector characteristics
Fuel is introduced into the cylinder of the diesel engine through the nozzle in fuel injector.
There is very high pressure differential across the nozzle which enables the fuel to penetrate
through the pressurized air. The cylinder pressure at injection is generally in the range of 50
-100 atm. Fuel injection pressure is in the range of 200 – 1700 atm are used depending on
the engine size and type. These large pressure differences across the injector nozzle are
required so that injected liquid fuel jet will enter the chamber at sufficiently high velocity to
(i) atomize into small sized droplets to enable rapid evaporation and (ii) traverse the
combustion chamber in the time available and fully utilize the air charge. The task of fuel
injector is to meter appropriate quantity of fuel for the given speed and load to each cylinder
and inject fuel at the appropriate time. To accomplish this task, fuel is usually drawn from
the fuel tank by a supply pump, and forced through a filter to the injection pump. The
injection pump sends fuel under pressure to the nozzle pipes which carry fuel to the injector
nozzles located in each cylinder head. Excess fuel goes back to the fuel tank.
4.9 Engine cooling system
The purpose of the cooling system is to keep the engine at its most efficient operating
temperature at all speeds and under all operating conditions. During the combustion of the
air-fuel mixture in the cylinder, temperature of 2200°C or higher may be reached by the
burning gases. At such high temperature the metals will their characteristics and piston will
expand considerably and seize the liner. Of course theoretically thermal efficiency of the
engine will improve without cooling but actually the engine will seize to run. Cylinder wall
temperature must not go higher than about 200 to 260°C. Temperature higher than this
causes the lubricating oil film to break down and lose its lubricating properties. The cooling
system removes excess heat when the engine is hot and slowly or not at all when the engine
is cold or warming up. Generally, cooling systems are designed to remove about 30 to 35%
of heat produced in the combustion chamber by the burning of air-fuel mixture.
Two general types of cooling systems are used in heat engines: air cooled and liquid cooled.
4.9.1 Air cooled
In this method, heat is carried away by the air flowing over and around the engine cylinder.
Fins and flanges on the outer surface of the cylinder are used to increase the exposed area to
cooling air which raises the cooling rate. The common applications of air cooled engine are
motorcycles and airplanes. In this type of cooling, the cylinders are semi-independent. They
are not grouped in a block so the cylinder design is simpler and light. The main disadvantage
of air cooling is non uniform cooling of cylinder especially for multiple cylinders.
4.9.2 Liquid cooled
In the liquid cooling system, a liquid (generally water) is circulated around the cylinders to
absorb heat form the cylinder walls. The liquid water to which an antifreeze solution and
corrosion inhibitor is added is called coolant. The coolant absorbs heat as it passes through
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
72
the engine. Then the hot coolant is passed on to air that flowing through the radiator. The
cooled coolant is then passed to the engine. The circulation of coolant continuously removes
heat form the engine. The major components of liquid cooling are:
Figure 4-2 Liquid cooling in engine
Water Jacket: Water jacket is designed to keep the cylinder block and cylinder head cool.
The water jacket is open space between the outside wall of the cylinder and the inside of the
cylinder block and head.
Water pump: Water pump is impeller-type centrifugal pumps. The driving force for the
pump is taken from the engine shaft. Coolant from the radiator is drawn into the pump and
sent to the engine block.
Engine fan: The fan is driven by the same belt that drives pump. The purpose of fan is to
pull air through radiator. This improves cooling at slow speeds and idle. At higher speeds,
the air rammed through the radiator by the forward motion of the vehicle provides al the
cooling air that is needed.
Radiator: In the cooling system, the radiator is a heat exchanger that removes heat form
coolant passing through it. The radiator holds a large volume of coolant in close contact with
a large volume of air so that heat will transfer from the coolant to the air.
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
73
Figure 4-3 Radiator
Thermostat: Thermostat is placed in the coolant passage between the cylinder head and the
top of the radiator. Its purpose is to close off this passage when the engine is cold.
Radiator pressure cap: The cooling systems on engines today are sealed pressurized by a
radiator pressure cap. There are two advantages to sealing and pressurizing the cooling
system. First, the increased pressure raises the boiling point of the coolant. Second, sealing
the cooling system reduces coolant looses form evaporation.
Antifreeze solution: If water freezes in the engine cooling system, it stops coolant
circulation thus some part of the engine will overheat. On the other hand, water expands
while freezing. Water freezing in the cylinder block and head could expand enough to crack
the block or head. Water freezing in the radiator could split the radiator tubes. To prevent
freezing of the water in the cooling system, antifreeze is added to form the coolant. Some
antifreeze compounds plug small leaks in the cooling system.
Corrosion inhibitor: Corrosion shortens the life of metal parts. Also, corrosion forms an
insulating layer which reduces the amount of heat transferred from the metal part to the
coolant. So corrosion inhibitor is also added in anti-freeze solution.
4.10 Advantage of liquid cooling
• Compact design of engine
• The fuel consumption of high compression liquid cooled engine is rather than for air
cooled one.
• Uniform cooling
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• Engine can be installed anywhere since cooling system can be conveniently located
wherever required where as air cooled engine requires it to be installed in the frontal
area.
• The size of the engine does not involve serious problem as far as design of cooling
system is concerned. In case of air cooled engines particularly in high power range
difficulty is encountered in circulation of required quantity of air for cooling purpose.
4.11 Disadvantage of liquid cooling
• This is dependent system in which supply of water for circulation in the jacket is
required.
• Power is absorbed by the pump and radiator fan.
• In the event of failure of cooling system serious damage may be caused to the engine.
• Cost of system is considerably high.
• Requires continuous maintenance.
4.12 Advantage of air cooling
• Simpler design due to absence of water jacket
• Simpler cooling system due to absence of pipes, fan and radiator assembly
• Easier installation
• No problem of freezing
4.13 Disadvantage of air cooling
• Non-uniform cooling
• The output of air cooled engine is less than that of a liquid cooled engine
• Smaller useful compression ratio
4.14 Engine lubricating system
Engine lubricating system supplies lubricating oil to all engine moving parts. The lubricant
and lubricating system function can be summarized as follow:
1. Protection of the engine against the wear.
2. Minimization of the frictional resistance of the engine to a minimum to ensure maximum
mechanical efficiency.
3. Cooling the piston and region of the engine where friction work is dissipated.
4. The clearance between bearings and rotating journals are filled with oil. When heavy
loads are suddenly imposed on the bearings, the oil helps to cushion the load. This
reduces the bearing wear.
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5. Forming a gas tight seal between piston rings and cylinder walls.
6. Removing all impurities form lubricated regions.
4.14.1 Desired property of lubricants
Oxidation Stability: The lubricating oil subjected to atmospheric oxygen and high
temperature, through oxidation, contribute to deposit formation. These deposits would
eventually lead to ring sticking. Anti-oxidant and anti corrosive additives are used to control
these problem.
Detergency/Dispersion: The function of detergent additive is to reduce the amount of
deposits formed and make their removal. It loosens and detaches particles of carbon and
grit form engine parts and carry then down to the oil pan as oil circulates.
Wear Reduction: Wear is due to the individual and combined effects of corrosion, adhesive
and abrasion. Corrosive wear is effectively prevented by the use of detergent oils which
neutralize the corrosive acids as they form. Oils with anti-wear additives and low viscosity
at low temperature provide a remedy. Abrasion result form the presence of atmospheric
dust, and metallic derbies from corrosive and adhesive wear, in the lubricating oil. Efficient
air filtration is therefore most important. Elimination of abrasive particle impurities form
the oil system by filtration and periodic oil change is essential.
Viscosity: Oil viscosity is the most important parameter of lubricating oil. There are several
grade of viscosity oil. They are rated for winter, for other than winter and for both purpose.
For example SAE 20W is rated as winter use oil. SAE stands for Society for Automotive
Engineers and W stands for winter. For other than winter use, the rating is given as SAE20.
Higher the number higher is the viscosity of the oil. Now day multiple-viscosity oil is used.
For example multiple viscosity oil or multi grade oil is graded as SAE 10W-30. This means
that oil is same as SAE 10W when cold and SAE 30 when hot.
Sludge formation
Sludge is a thick, creamy, black substance that sometimes forms in the crankcase. It clogs oil
screens and oil lines, preventing oil circulation.
Water is collected in crankcase by combustion byproduct and the air. During cold operation
the moisture condensates into water and gets deposited into the oil. The crankcase mixes
the water, oil and carbon deposits continuously to form black thick substance called sludge.
If the engine is run for long time, the water gets evaporated and leaves through the crank
case ventilation but when the engine is used for short trip the water does not get enough
time to evaporate and hence sludge forms.
4.14.2 Low pressure splash lubricating system
The crankcase is used as the oil sump (reservoir) in a splash system, and the crankshaft
rotating at high speed in the oil distributes it to the various moving parts by splash; no oil
pump is used. All components, including the valve train and camshaft, must be open to the
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crankcase. Oil is splashed into the cylinders behind the pistons acting both as a lubricant
and a coolant. Many small four-stroke cycle engines (lawn mowers, golf carts, etc.) use
splash distribution of oil.
4.14.3 High pressure distribution system
An engine with a pressurized oil distribution system uses an oil pump to supply lubrication
to the moving parts through passages built into the components. A typical automobile
engine has oil passages built into the connecting rods, valve stems, push rods, rocker arms,
valve seats, engine block, and many other moving components. These make up a circulation
network through which oil is distributed by the oil pump. In addition, oil is sprayed under
pressure onto the cylinder walls and onto the back of the piston crowns. Most automobiles
actually use dual distribution systems, relying on splash within the crankcase in addition to
the pressurized flow from the oil pump.
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Chapter 5. Reciprocating air compressor
5.1 Reciprocating compression
The air compression process in reciprocating air compressor (clearance volume is neglected
in this case) involves the following steps (Fig. 5-1):
a. Induction of air
When piston moves from TBC to BDC, partial vacuum is created in the space above the
piston. The pressure at inlet manifold is at atmospheric level so the inlet valve is pushed by
higher pressure outside the valve. The pressure at delivery manifold is high because of the
high pressure in storage tank. The high delivery manifold pressure closes the delivery valve.
When the piston reaches BDC, the cylinder space is filled with air. It is assumed that the
induction of the air occurs at constant pressure.
TDC BDC
Piston moves from TDC
to BDC. Air enters the
cylinder at atm pressure
P
v
TDC BDC
The air is compressed
until the delivery valve
is open
P
v
TDC BDC
Once the pressure inside the cylinder
reaches the delivery pressure, delivery
valve gets open and compressed air is
delivered to the storage tank
P
v
P1 P1 P1
P2
Fig. 5-1 Working principle of reciprocating air compressor
b. Compression of air
The piston moves from BDC to TDC. The compression of the air inside the cylinder starts.
The volume decreases and the pressure increases. The increased pressure closes the inlet
valve but it is still not sufficient to open the delivery valve since delivery manifold pressure
is still higher. With the both valves closed, the air is compressed polytropically inside the
cylinder
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c. Delivery of air
As the pressure inside the cylinder increases and reaches the delivery pressure, it is
sufficient to open the delivery valve. Now the piston forces the compressed air out of the
compressor to the storage tank.
5.2 Work done in compressor
P-v diagram of the compressor without clearance is shown in Fig. 5-2. We can express the
total work transfer during the air compressor cycle as the sum of work transfer in each
process.
Fig. 5-2 P-v diagram of reciprocating air compressor without clearance volume
Total work done in the cycle
��*� = �-$% + �%$, + �,$/ + �/$-
= (%!C% − C-" + M�?�$M�?�%$� + (,!C/ − C," + 0
Since, v4 and v3 = 0 for zero clearance volume
= (%C% + M�?�$M�?�%$� − (,C,
= !(,C, − (%C%" 4 %%$� − 15
= 4 �%$�5 !(,C, − (%C%"
��*� = 4 ;1 − ;5 (%C% 2(,C,(%C% − 13 Eq. 5.1
Since the process 1-2 is polytropic
(%C%� = (,C,�
C,C% = 2(%(,3%/�
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C,C% = 2(,(%3$%/�
Substituting Eq. 5.1
��*� = 4 ;1 − ;5 (%C% �(,(% 2(,(%3$%/� − 1�
= 4 �%$�5 (%C% 94M�M�5!�$%"/� − 1:
��*� = − 4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1� Eq. 5.2
We know that an air compressor is driven by energy from external means. The sign
convention that we adopt for work input in the system is negative. Therefore, the work
transfer is negative in the air compressor. However, our interest is only on the amount of
work/energy required in the compressor, we can eliminate the negative sign from our
equation. If we only consider the magnitude of the work, we can express the work required
for a reciprocating air compressor with zero clearance volume as,
� = 4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1� Eq. 5.3
Where,
n = polytropic index of compression
P1 = Intake pressure of air (Suction pressure)
P2 = Delivery pressure of compressor
v1 = Volume of air drawn inside the compressor during suction (swept volume)
If swept volume is termed as vs, we can further express the equation for the work required
in compressor as:
� = 4 ;; − 15 (%C7 �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1� Eq. 5.4
OR
� = 4 ;; − 15 O�% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1� Eq. 5.5
OR (in extensive term)
) = 4 ;; − 15 =O�% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1� Eq. 5.6
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5.3 Isothermal compression
We cannot use above equation when compression process is isothermal (n = 1). If the
compression process follows isothermal law (n = 1), work required for the compressor can
be expressed as
��*� = �-$% + �%$, + �,$/ + �/$-
= (%!C% − C-" + (%C% ln ?�?� + (,!C/ − C," + 0
= (%C% + (%C% ln ?�?� − (,C, (since P1v1 = P2v2)
= (%C% + (%C% ln C,C% − (%C%
= (%C% ln C,C%
= (%C% ln (%(,
= −(%C% ln (,(%
If only magnitude of the work required is considered
� = (%C% ln (,(% Eq. 5.7
OR
� = O�% ln (,(% Eq. 5.8
OR (in extensive term)
) = =O�% ln (,(% Eq. 5.9
5.4 Effect of polytropic index on work required
We have already discussed that the compression of air in a reciprocating air compressor is a
polytropic process. From the Eq. 5.3, we can say that the work required also depends on the
polytropic index. If the suction pressure, the delivery pressure and the swept volume are
same and only the value of polytropic index is different, we can have the following cases:
• n > γ (=1.4 for air)
• n = γ (Adiabatic compression)
• 1<n < γ
• n = 1(Isothermal compression)
We also know that inclination of curve Pvn = constant increases as the value of n increases.
The P-v diagram for above four cases will be as shown in Fig. 5-3.
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Fig. 5-3 Effect of polytropic index
Process 1-2 for n > γ (=1.4 for air)
Process 1-2’ for n = γ (Adiabatic compression)
Process 1-2”for 1<n < γ
Process 1-2’’’ for n = 1(Isothermal compression)
We also know that area bounded by a cycle in P-v coordinate system represents the work
transfer. In Error! Reference source not found., the area bounded by the cycle is the work
required for the reciprocating air compressor. When we compare the area enclosed by the
cycle for different value of n, we come to know that work required is the least when the
compression is isothermal (area enclosed between 1 - 2’’’ – 3 – 4 - 1). As the value of n
increases, the area enclosed increases and thus the work required also increases. In actual
practice, it is impossible to achieve isothermal compression. But an attempt is made to
achieve the value of n as close to 1 as possible. To get the compression as close to
isothermal, the compressor is cooled by air or by any other cooling medium like water.
5.5 Compression process in T-s diagram 5.5 Compression process in T-s diagram
The four different compression processes can be shown in T-s diagram as shown in the
figure.
Fig. 5-4 Compression process in T-s diagram
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In the Fig. 5-4 path -2’” represents isothermal compression (n = 1), path 1-2” represents
polytropic compression (1 < n < γ), path 1-2’ represents isentropic compression (n = γ) and
finally path 1-2 represents polytropic compression with polytropic index n> γ.
5.6 Clearance volume effects, P-v diagram and work done
So far, in the previous section we discussed about the air compressor without clearance
volume. In actual scenario, it is impossible to have zero clearance space. In this section, the
effects of clearance volume in operating parameters of reciprocating air compressor will be
discussed.
Fig. 5-5 Compression with clearance volume
As shown in the Fig. 5-5 the compressor has clearance volume vc above the TDC. The piston
cannot move past TDC and only moves between TDC and BDC. The volume contained
between TDC and BDC is called displacement volume (vd). Displacement volume is the
volume covered by the piston while moving between TDC and BDC. The fundamental
working principle of compressor with or without clearance volume is almost similar. In
former case, during the delivery of air (process 2-3) some amount of air is left in the
clearance volume since piston cannot move beyond TDC. The residual air in the clearance
volume has pressure P2 (delivery pressure). When the piston returns back to BDC from
TDC, the air left in clearance volume expands polytropically (process 3-4). During the
expansion process, the pressure inside the cylinder is higher than atmospheric pressure.
The higher inside pressure prevents the inlet valve from getting open. As the inlet value is
still closed, the air from atmosphere cannot be drawn inside the cylinder. When the
pressure finally drops to P1 (suction pressure), the inlet valve opens and air is drawn inside
the compressor. So suction of air only starts from point 4 and ends at point 1. Here we
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should note that the displacement volume of the compressor is vd while the volume of air
drawn in the cylinder is vs (often called effective swept). Now we can conclude that when
clearance volume of the compressor is not zero, the volume of air drawn in the compressor
is less than the actual cylinder capacity of the compressor.
5.7 Work done in single stage compressor with clearance volume
The P-V diagram as shown in Fig. 5-5can be divided as in Fig. 5-2.
Fig. 5-6 P-v diagram of compressor with clearance volume
P-v diagram in Fig. 5-6 is same as that of compressor when clearance volume is neglected as
discussed in section 5.4.
So work done in compressor with clearance volume can be written as
w = w1 – w2
Where, w1 and w2 can be written in the form of Eq. 5.3
� = 4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1� − 4 ;; − 15 (%C- �2(/(-3!�$%"/� − 1�
= 4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1� − 4 ;; − 15 (%C- �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1�
= 4 ;; − 15 (%!C% − C-" �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1�
∵ C% − C- = C7 !����� C�=�"
� = 4 ;; − 15 (%C7 �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1� Eq. 5.10
Alternatively, the above expression can be derived as follow:
From the Fig. 5-6, work can be calculated as
� = �%$, + �,$/ + �/$- + �-$%
� = (,C, − (%C%1 − ; + (,!C/ − C," + (-C- − (/C/1 − ; + (%!C% − C-"
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= (,C,1 − ; − (%C%1 − ; + (,C/ − (,C, + (-C-1 − ; − (/C/1 − ; + (%C% − (%C-
Since, P2= P3 and P1 = P4
= (,C, 2 11 − ; − 13 − (%C% 2 11 − ; − 13 + (,C/ + (%C-1 − ; − (,C/1 − ; − (%C-
= (,C, 4 ;1 − ;5 − (%C% 4 ;1 − ;5 + (,C/ 21 − 11 − ;3 + (%C- 2 11 − ; − 13
= (,C, 4 ;1 − ;5 − (%C% 4 ;1 − ;5 − (,C/ 4 ;1 − ;5 + (%C- 4 ;1 − ;5
= 4 ;1 − ;5 !(,C, − (%C% − (,C/ + (%C-"
= 4 ;1 − ;5 �(,!C, − C/" + (%!C% − C-"�
� = 4 ;1 − ;5 (%!C% − C-" 9(,!C, − C/" (%!C% − C-" − 1: Eq. 5.11
From the Fig. 5-6 we know that v1 - v4 = vs
And, for compression and expansion process (,(% = 2C%C,3� = 2C-C/3�
C%C, = C-C/
C,C/ = C%C-
C,C/ − 1 = C%C- − 1
C, − C/C/ = C% − C-C-
C, − C/C% − C- = C/C- = 2(%(,3%/�
C, − C/C% − C- = 2(,(%3$%/�
Substituting in Eq. 5.11
� = 4 ;1 − ;5 (%!C% − C-" �(,(% 2(,(%3$%/� − 1�
� = 4 ;1 − ;5 (%!C% − C-" �2(,(%3!�$%" �⁄ − 1�
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� = 4 ;; − 15 (%C7 �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1�
Which is same as Eq. 5.10
If indices of compression and expansion are different, the equation for work required can be
written as
� = 4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� − 1� − 4 == − 15 (%C- �2(/(-3!z$%"/z − 1� Eq. 5.12
Where, m is index of expansion and n is index of compression
5.8 Volumetric and adiabatic efficiencies
For a compressor with clearance volume, the volume of air induced during the suction is
less than the displacement volume of the compressor. To establish the relation between
volume of cylinder and the actual volume of air coming in the compressor, volumetric
efficiency of the compressor is established. The volumetric efficiency of an air compressor is
defined as the ratio of volume of air induced in the cylinder to the displacement volume of
the cylinder.
Mathematically,
+��=����> �~~�>��;>r !�?�8" = C��=� �~ ��� �;�>�� �; �ℎ� >r��;���������>�=�;� C��=� �~ �ℎ� >��;���
Let us define another term called clearance factor (C) such that C = vc/vd
Since,
�?�8 = C7C� Eq. 5.13
�?�8 = C% − C-C�
�?�8 = !CD + C�" − C-C� Eq. 5.14
For polytropic expansion process 3-4
(-C-� = (/C/�
C-� = (/(- C/�
C- = C/ 2(/(-3% �⁄
C- = CD 2(,(%3% �⁄
Substituting in Eq. 5.14
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86
�?�8 = !CD + C�" − CD 4(,(%5% �⁄C�
�?�8 = 1 + N − N 2(,(%3% �⁄ Eq. 5.15
Adiabatic efficiency of an air compressor is defined as
����� = 1 + N − N 2(,(%3% �⁄ Eq. 5.16
5.9 Effect of delivery pressure on the performance of air compressor
The performance of a reciprocating air compressor varies significantly with the increase in
delivery pressure. The effect of delivery pressure on the performance of an air compressor
can be explained with the help of Fig. 5-7
Let us take a compressor with clearance volume vc and displacement volume vd. The suction
pressure is P1. Initially the compressor is run to deliver the air at pressure P2. In this case,
we can draw a cycle as 1-2-3-4-1 (Fig. 5-7). The volume of air delivered for delivery
pressure P2 is vs1 (v1 – v4).
Fig. 5-7 Effect of delivery pressure
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If we increase the delivery pressure to P3, the cycle will be 1-2’-3’-4’-1. Since clearance
volume is fixed for a given compressor size, the volume of air trapped in clearance volume
will be same even we increase the pressure. For the delivery pressure P3, the volume of air
delivered is vs2 (v1-v4’). If we further increase delivery pressure to P4, from the Fig. 5-7 we
can say that all the air is compressed in clearance space at the end of compression. As the air
left in clearance volume cannot get out of outlet valve, there is no delivery of air when
delivery pressure is P4. When the piston moves back to BDC, all the air left in clearance
volume expands. The expansion process follows same path followed by compression
process (1-2”-1). At the end of expansion (state 1), the air left in clearance volume occupies
the cylinder which prevents additional air to enter from atmosphere to the cylinder.
From above three cases, we can say that, for same intake condition, if delivery pressure is
increased, the volumetric efficiency of the compressor will be decreased. If we keep on
increasing the delivery pressure, at some point there will be a case where volumetric
efficiency of the compressor will be zero i.e., no air is delivered.
5.10 Multi-stage compression
Multistage compression is a serial arrangement of compressor cylinders in which
compressed air from the one cylinder is fed to the next cylinder for the further compression.
An intercooler is connected between two compressors, which cools the compressed air
coming from low pressure compressor and supplies to high pressure compressor.
Fig. 5-8 Two stage compression
5.10.1 Intercooling
Intercooler is a type of heat exchanger which is fitted between low pressure compressor and
high pressure compressor. It cools the compressed air delivered by low pressure
compressor. The cooled air is then passed to the high pressure compressor for the further
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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compression. The ideal intercooler (or perfect intercooler) should satisfy the flowing
condition.
• The air is cooled at constant pressure.
• The temperature of the cooled air is same as the temperature of the air at the start of
compression in low pressure compressor.
5.11 Representation of P-v and T-s diagram
The P-v and T-s diagram of double stage compressor fitted with perfect intercooler is shown
in the Fig. 5-9. The clearance volume is neglected in this case. The low pressure compressor
compress the air from P1 (state 1) to P2 (state 2). The compressed air is then cooled in
perfect intercooler from state 2 to state 2’. During the cooling process, the pressure is
constant at P2. The temperature of cooled air is equal to the temperature of the air at the
start of compression (state 1 and 2’ are in the isothermal curve). The air received from the
intercooler is further compressed to P3 (state 3) in the high pressure compressor.
P-v diagram of double stage compression
Compression process in T-s diagram
Fig. 5-9 P-v and T-s diagram of double stage compressor
From the P-v diagram show in the Fig. 5-9, we can say that 1-2-2’-3 is the path followed by
compression process in two stage air compressor fitted with perfect intercooler. If the
intercooler is not included, the path followed by the compressor process will be 1-2-3’. The
shift of compression from process 2-3’ to process 2’-3 is only due to the intercooling of air.
From the P-v diagram in the Fig. 5-9, we can say that due to the shift in the compression
process, work as represented by the shaded area is saved. In other word, with intercooler,
we need less work to compress the air compared to without intercooler. So, we can say that
the multistage compression process is efficient when intercoolers are used in between the
compressors.
The work required to compress in above case will be
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� = ��M + � M
From Eq. 5.4, we have
� = ;; − 1 (%C% �2(,(%3�$%� − 1� + ;; − 1 (,C,L �2(/(,3�$%� − 1�
Since, 1 and 2’ state are in same isothermal line for a perfect intercooling
(%C% = (,C,K So we have,
� = ;; − 1 (%C% �2(,(%3�$%� − 1� + ;; − 1 (%C% �2(/(,3�$%� − 1�
� = ;; − 1 (%C% �2(,(%3�$%� + 2(/(,3�$%� − 2� Eq. 5.17
5.12 Optimum pressure distribution work done
In the previous section, we discussed about the two stage compressor where low pressure
compressor rises the pressure of air up to certain level and then high pressure compressor
further compresses the air up to delivery pressure. In the following section, we will discuss
about how the pressure should be distributed between the low pressure compressor and
the high pressure compressor so that minimum required work is achieved.
Total work required in two stage compressor with perfect intercooler is (from Eq. 5.17)
� = 4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� + 2(/(,3!�$%"/� − 2�
Since the induction pressure P1 and delivery pressure P3 are fixed, we can only change
intermediate pressure P2 to obtain the minimum work required. For the work to be
minimum, the first derivative of the expression of work with respect to P2 must be zero. ���(, = 0
��(, �4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� + 2(/(,3!�$%"/� − 2�� = 0
��(, �4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� + 2(,(/3!%$�"/� − 2�� = 0
2; − 1; 3 2 1(%3!�$%"/� !(,"!$%/�" + 21 − ;; 3 2 1(/3!%$�"/� !(,"!%$,�" �⁄ = 0
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2; − 1; 3 2 1(%3!�$%"/� !(,"!$%/�" = − 21 − ;; 3 2 1(/3!%$�"/� !(,"!%$,�" �⁄
2; − 1; 3 2 1(%3!�$%"/� !(,"!$%/�" = 2; − 1; 3 2 1(/3!%$�"/� !(,"!%$,�" �⁄
2 1(%3!�$%"/� !(,"!$%/�" = 2 1(/3!%$�"/� !(,"!%$,�" �⁄
2 1(%3!�$%"/� !(,"!$%/�" = !(/"!�$%"/�!(,"!%$,�" �⁄
!(,"!$%/�"!(,"!%$,�" �⁄ = !(%(/"!�$%"/�
!(,",!�$%" �⁄ = !(%(/"!�$%"/�
(,, = (%(/
(/(, = (,(% Eq. 5.18
Eq. 5.18 is the condition for optimum pressure distribution in two stage compressor.
Substituting in Eq. 5.17, we have
� = 4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(,(%3!�$%"/� + 2(/(,3!�$%"/� − 2�
= 4 ;; − 15 (%C% ���(%(/(% !�$%"/� + � (/�(%(/ !�$%"/� − 2�
= 4 ;; − 15 (%C% �2(/(%3!�$%"/,� + 2(/(%3!�$%"/,� − 2�
� = 2 2;; − 13 (%C% �2(/(%3!�$%"/,� − 1�
� = 2 2;; − 13 (%C7 �2(/(%3!�$%"/,� − 1� Eq. 5.19
This is the required expression for work required in two stage air compressor with perfect
intercooler and optimum pressure distribution.
For the pressure distribution in multistage (N-stage) compression process, Eq. 5.18 can be
written as
(¡(¡$% = … … … = (-(/ = (/(, = (,(% Eq. 5.20
Similarly work required in multi stage (N-stage) compressor is:
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� = 2 �;; − 13 (%C7 �2(¡£%(% 3!�$%"/¡� − 1� Eq. 5.21
5.13 Positive displacement compressor
Positive displacement compressors are those compressors in which air is compressed by
being trapped in the reduced space formed by two sets of engaging surfaces. This type of
compressor deliver fixed volume of air at high pressure. Positive displacement machines
ensure positive admission and delivery preventing undesired reversal of flow. For example,
reciprocating compressor, root blower, rotary screw compressor
5.13.1 Axial flow compressor
An axial flow compressor is one in which the flow enters the compressor in an axial
direction (parallel with the axis of rotation), and exits in an axial direction. The axial-flow
compressor compresses its working fluid by first accelerating the fluid and then diffusing it
to obtain a pressure increase. The air is accelerated by a row of rotating airfoils (blades)
called the rotor, and then diffused in a row of stationary blades (the stator). The diffusion in
the stator converts the velocity increase gained in the rotor to a pressure increase. Axial
flow compressors produce a continuous flow of compressed air, and have the benefits of
high efficiencies and large mass flow capacity. Axial compressors are widely used in gas
turbines, such as jet engines, high speed ship engines, and small scale power stations. In an
axial flow compressor, air passes from one stage to the next, each stage raising the pressure
slightly. By producing low pressure increases on the order of 1.1:1 to 1.4:1, very high
efficiencies can be obtained. The use of multiple stages permits overall pressure increases
of up to 40:1 in some aerospace applications and a pressure ratio of 30:1 in some Industrial
applications.
Front part of axial compressor
Position of rotor and stator
Fig. 5-10 Axial flow compressor
5.13.2 Roots blower
The Roots type compressor (supercharger) or Roots blower is a positive displacement lobe
pump which operates by pumping air with a pair of meshing vanes (lobes). The roots type
compressor is two counter-rotating meshed lobed rotors. The two rotors trap air in the gaps
between rotors and push it against the compressor housing as they rotate towards the
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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outlet/discharge port. During each rotation, a specific fixed amount of air is trapped and
moved to the outlet port where it is compressed, which is why the roots type compressor
falls under the broader category of fixed-displacement superchargers. Roots blowers are
typically used in applications where a large volume of air must be moved across a relatively
small pressure differential. This includes low vacuum applications, with the Roots blower
acting alone, or use as part of a high vacuum system, in combination with other pumps. Two
lobe and three lobe type roots blower are shown in the Fig. 5-11.
Three lobe root blower
Two lobe root blower
Fig. 5-11 Root blower
5.13.3 Rotary compressor
A rotary compressor, or rotary vane compressor, is a device used for moving a fluid through
a system. A rotary vane compressor has a central, spinning rotor and a number of vanes. The
rotor assembly is encased inside of a sealed container with an inlet and outlet valve. The
vanes are spring-loaded so that they constantly push against the outside of the case, creating
a tight seal.
Fig. 5-12 Rotary compressor
The rotor is offset to one side. When a rotary blade spins past the inlet valve, it creates a
vacuum. The air flows out of the valve behind it, filling the vacuum. As it approaches the
outlet valve, the chamber shrinks. This creates more pressure on the air. The air has
nowhere to go but out of the outlet valve, so it shoots out of it. Then the vane continues on to
draw more air at the inlet valve. Common uses of vane pumps include high
pressure hydraulic pumps and automotive uses
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Solved Examples
1. A single stage, single acting air compressor 30 cm bore and 40 cm stroke runs at 200
rpm. The suction pressure is 1 bar at 15°C and delivery pressure 5 bar. Neglecting the
clearance, determine the indicated mean effective pressure and the ideal power required
to run it, when
a. Compression is isothermal
b. Compression follows the law PV1.25=C
c. Compression is reversible adiabatic
d. Compression is irreversible adiabatic (n=1.5)
Mean effective pressure (mep) = work(w) / displacement volume(vd)
For single stage compressor with no clearance volume (vs = vd for zero clearance volume)
+7 = {|,}4 = { × 0.3, × 0.44 = 0.0283 =/ a. When the compression is isothermal
) = (%+7 ln (,(% = 1 × 10@ × 0.0283 × ln 5 × 10@1 × 10@
W =4.55 kJ
=�� = )+7 = 4.55 × 10/0.0283
mep = 1.609×105 Pa
(���� = ¤��� ���*D�D8* × ��=/60 = 4.55 × 10/ × 200/60
Power = 15.167 kW
b. When compression is polytropic with n = 1.25
) = 4 ��$%5 (%+7 �4M�M�5!¥¦�"¥ − 1�
= 2 1.251.25 − 13 1 × 10@ × 0.0283 ��5 × 10@1 × 10@ !%.,@$%"%.,@ − 1�
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W = 5.373 kW
=�� = )+7 = 5.373 × 10/0.0283
mep = 1.898 ×105 Pa
(���� = ¤��� ���*D�D8* × ��=/60 = 5.373 × 10/ × 200/60
Power = 17.91 kW
c. When compression is reversible adiabatic ie, n = 1.4
) = 4 ��$%5 (%+7 �4M�M�5!¥¦�"¥ − 1�
= 2 1.41.4 − 13 1 × 10@ × 0.0283 ��5 × 10@1 × 10@ !%.-$%"%.- − 1�
W = 5.782 kW
=�� = )+7 = 5.782 × 10/0.0283
mep = 2.04×105 Pa
(���� = ¤��� ���*D�D8* × ��=/60 = 5.782 × 10/ × 200/60
Power = 19.27 kW
d. When the compression is irreversible adiabatic with n = 1.5
) = 4 ��$%5 (%+7 �4M�M�5!¥¦�"¥ − 1�
= 2 1.51.5 − 13 1 × 10@ × 0.0283 ��5 × 10@1 × 10@ !%.@$%"%.@ − 1�
W = 6.027 kW
=�� = )+7 = 6.027 × 10/0.0283
mep = 2.12×105 Pa
(���� = ¤��� ���*D�D8* × ��=/60 = 6.027 × 10/ × 200/60
Power = 20.09 kW
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2. Determine the size of the cylinder for a double acting compressor of 37 kW, in which air
is drawn in at 1 bar and 15°C and compressed, according to law PV1.2=constant to 6 bar.
The compressor runs at 100 rpm with average speed of 152.5 m/min. Neglect clearance.
We can write the equation of power in terms of rate of work done as
)§ = 4 ��$%5 (%+§7 �4M�M�5!¥¦�"¥ − 1�
Since it is double acting compressor, work required for single side of the compressor is half
of 37 kW
Substituting the known values
18.5 × 10/ = 2 1.21.2 − 13 × 1 × 10@ × +§7 ��6 × 10@1 × 10@ !%.,$%"%., − 1�
+7§ = 18.5 × 10/208.80 × 10/ = 0.0885 =//��>
Swept Vs volume per cycle
+7 = 0.0885 !=/ ��>⁄ "100 60⁄ !>r>��/��>" = 0.053 =//>r>��
We also know that compressor (piston of the compressor) runs 2L (L=length of stroke)
distance in one revolution.
Distance covered by the compressor in N rpm = N×2L
Average velocity of the compressor = 2LN/60
Since the velocity of the compressor is 152.5 m/min (=2.542 m/sec)
2.542 = 2LN/60
L = 60×2.542/(2×100) = 0.7625 m
Length of stroke L = 76.25 cm
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Swept volume per cycle Vs = πD2L/4
D2 = 0.053×4/(π×0.7625)
Bore D = 29.74 cm
3. A single stage, double acting air compressor is required to deliver 14 m3 of air per
minute measured at 1.013 bar and 15°C. The delivery pressure is 7 bar and the speed
300 rpm. Take the clearance volume as 5% of the displacement volume with the
compression and expansion index of n=1.3. Calculate:
a. Displacement volume
b. The delivery temperature
c. Indicated Power
d. Volumetric efficiency
If only single side of the compressor is considered, the delivery volume (swept volume) is
half of that of double acting compressor. So,
vs = 14/2 = 7 m3/min
The clearance volume is 5% of displacement volume
vc/vd = 0.05
Clearance factor (C) = vc/vd = 0.05
Volumetric efficiency (ηvol) = 1 + C - C(P2/P1)1/n
ηvol = 1 + 0.05 – 0.05(7/1.013)1/1.3
ηvol = 82.9%
We also know that
ηvol = vs/vd
vd = vs/ ηvol = 7(m3/min)/0.829
vd = 8.444 m3/min
Since the compressor runs at 300 rpm (or cycle/min), displacement volume per cycle can be
written as
C� = 8.444 � =/=�; × 1300 2 =�;>r>��3 vd = 0.028 m3
Delivery temperature
For process 1-2
�%(%!%$�" �⁄ = �,(,!%$�" �⁄
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�, = �% 4M�M�5!%$�" �⁄ = 288 4%.y%/¨ 5$y./ %./⁄ = 550 K
T2 = 550 K
Indicated power of the compressor
)§ = 4 ;; − 15 (%+§7 �2(,(%3!�$%"� − 1�
= 2 1.31.3 − 13 1.013 × 10@ × 1460 �2 71.0133y./%./ − 1�
=57.58 kW
IP = 57.58 kW
4. Air at 103 kPa and 27°C is drawn in low pressure cylinder of two stage air compressor
and is isentropically compressed to 700 kPa. The air is then cooled at constant pressure
to 37°C in an intercooler and is then again compressed isentropically to 4 MPa in the
high pressure cylinder, and is delivered at this pressure. Determine the power required
to run the compressor if it has to deliver 30 m3 of air per hour measured at inlet
conditions. [4.194 kW]
The volume of air delivered at inlet condition (P =103 kPa and T = 27°C) is 30 m3 per hour.
For the simplification of the calculation, the volume of air is changed into mass that is same
at any condition.
=��� ~��� ���� �~ �ℎ� ��� !=§ " = (%+%O�% = 103 × 10/ × 30287 × 300 = 35.889 �h/ℎ�
Power required in low pressure compressor
)§ � = 2 1.41.4 − 13 35.8893600 × 287 × 300 × �27001033!%.-$%"%.- − 1� = 2.2 �)
Power required in high pressure compressor
)§ = 2 1.41.4 − 13 35.8893600 × 287 × 310 × �24000700 3!%.-$%"%.- − 1� = 2.2 �)
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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5. A single acting two stage compressor with complete inter cooling delivers 6 kg/min of
air at 16 bar. Assuming an intake at 1 bar and 150C and compression and expansion with
law PV1.3=constant. Calculate:
a. Power required to run the compressor at 420 rpm
b. Isothermal efficiency
c. Free air delivered per sec
d. If clearance ratios for LP and HP cylinder are 0.04 and 0.06, calculate
volumetric efficiency and swept volume for each cylinder.
e. Net heat transferred in LP and HP cylinder during compression and also in the
intercooler
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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Chapter 6. Fuels and Combustion
6.1 Introduction
The fuel can be defined as a substance, which can deliver heat energy. Some fuels like
petroleum releases energy due to combustion in presence of oxygen while other fuels such
as uranium release heat because of the nuclear fission. In this chapter, we will discuss only
the fuels that liberate energy because of oxidation process.
6.2 Classification of fuels
Most fuel which is used for combustion fall into three categories-Solid fuel, Liquid fuel and
Gaseous fuel.
6.2.1 Solid fuel
The common solid fuels are wood, peat, lignite, coal, anthracite, coke and briquettes. The
advantage of solid fuel over other fuel is that it is easily available.
6.2.2 Liquid fuel
The common liquid fuels are liquid petroleum like Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene. There are
some other liquid fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
6.2.3 Gaseous fuel
6.3 Calorific and heating values of fuels
Calorific value of a fuel is the amount energy produced when 1 kg of fuel is burned
completely.
a. Higher calorific value
It is the total heat released in kJ/kg or kJ/m3 of a fuel.
6.4 Determination of caloric values
6.5 Combustion equation for hydrocarbon fuels
When hydrocarbon fuel is burned in presence of oxygen, theoretically it is converted into
CO2 and H2O.
For Hydrogen
2H2 + O2 ⇒ 2H2O
Molecular wt 4 32 36
4 kg of hydrogen needs 32 kg of oxygen for the combustion
1 kg of hydrogen needs 8 kg of oxygen
For Carbon
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The complete combustion of carbon results in the emission of CO2 while partial combustion
of carbon results in the emission of CO
For complete combustion
C + O2 ⇒ CO2
Molecular wt 12 32 44
12 kg of carbon needs 32 kg of oxygen for the combustion
1 kg of carbon needs 8/3 kg of oxygen
For partial combustion
2C + O2 ⇒ 2CO
Molecular wt 24 32 56
24 kg of carbon needs 32 kg of oxygen for the partial combustion
1 kg of carbon needs 4/3 kg of oxygen
For Carbon monoxide
2CO + O2 ⇒ 2CO2
Molecular wt 56 32 88
56 kg of carbon monoxide needs 32 kg of oxygen for complete combustion
1 kg of carbon monoxide needs 4/7 kg of oxygen
For Sulphur
2S + O2 ⇒ SO2
Molecular wt 32 32 64
32 kg of sulphur needs 32 kg of oxygen for the combustion
1 kg of sulphur needs 1 kg of oxygen
For Methane
CH4 + 2O2 ⇒ CO2 + 2H2O
Molecular wt 16 64 44 36
16 kg of methane needs 64 kg of oxygen for complete combustion
1 kg of methane needs 4 kg of oxygen for complete combustion
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The result of above combustion equation is summarized in the table below
Constituent Mass of oxygen per kg of
constituent By product and its mass
Hydrogen 8 kg H2O (36/4 = 9 kg)
Carbon (Complete
combustion) 8/3 kg CO2 (44/12 = 11/3kg)
Carbon (Partial combustion) 4/3 kg CO (56/24 = 7/3kg)
Carbon monoxide 4/7 kg CO2 (88/56 = 11/7 kg)
Sulfur 1 kg SO2 (64/32 = 2 kg)
Methane 4 kg CO2 (44/16 =11/4 kg)
H2O (36/16 = 9/4 kg)
6.5.1 Minimum air required
In the following section, we will discuss about the amount of air required for theoretical
combustion of a fuel. Theoretical combustion of fuel is the oxidation of fuel as represented
by the chemical equation. The theoretical air required is also called stoichiometric quantity
of air. For the calculation, we adopt the composition of air as follow:
By weight (Nitrogen 77% and Oxygen 23%)
By volume (Nitrogen 71% and Oxygen 29%)
If we calculate the amount of air required with the help of chemical equation, we can easily
calculate the amount of air required.
Example
The analysis of coal used in boiler trial is as follows: C-81%, H2-4%, O2-4%, S-2.5% and
remainder incombustible. If 80% of the carbon is burned to CO2 and remainder into CO,
determine the minimum air required for combustion of 1 kg of coal.
Constituent Mass per kg of fuel (kg) O2 required (kg)
Carbon (complete combustion) 0.8×0.81 = 0.648 0.648×8/3 = 1.728
Carbon (incomplete combustion) 0.2×0.81 = 0.162 0.162×4/3 = 0.216
Hydrogen 0.04 0.04×8 = 0.32
Sulphur 0.025 0.025×1= 0.025
Total oxygen required = 2.289
The mass of oxygen present in fuel = 0.04
Net oxygen required = 2.249
So minimum air required = 2.249×100/23 = 9.778 kg
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6.5.2 Excess air
The analysis of coal used in boiler trial is as follows: C-82%, H2-5%, O2-3%, S-3.5% and
remainder incombustible. Determine the minimum air required for combustion of 1 kg of
coal. Also find the volumetric composition of exhaust gas if 30% excess air is supplied.
Constituent Mass per kg of fuel (kg) O2 required (kg) Byproduct (kg)
Carbon 0.82 0.082×8/3 = 2.87 CO2 = 0.82×11/3 = 3.01
Hydrogen 0.05 0.05×8 = 0.40 H2O = 0.05×9 = 0.45
Sulphur 0.035 0.035×1= 0.035 SO2 = 0.035×2 = 0.07
Total oxygen required = 3.62
The mass of oxygen present in fuel = 0.03 (subtracted)
Net oxygen required = 3.59
Minimum air required = 3.59×100/23 = 15.61 kg
Excess air supplied = 15.61×30% = 4.68 kg
Total air supplied = 15.61 + 4.68 = 20.29
Byproduct Mass (kg) (A) Mol wt (B) C = A/B % by volume
= C/ ƩC
CO2 3.01 44 0.0684 10.35%
SO2 0.07 64 0.0011 0.17%
N2 (from total air
supplied)
20.29×77% =
15.62 28 0.5578 84.38%
O2 (from excess
air supplied) 4.68×23% = 1.08 32 0.0337 5.10%
ƩC = 0.661
6.5.3 Stoichiometric air requirement
Calculate the stoichiometric air for the complete combustion of 1 kg of LPG. Assume the
composition of the LPG as 70% butane and 30% propane.
Chemical equation for oxidation of butane
C4H10 + 6.5O2 ⇒ 4CO2 + 5H2O
Molecular wt 58 208 176 90
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Chemical equation for oxidation of propane
C3H8 + 5O2 ⇒ 3CO2 + 4H2O
Molecular wt 44 160 132 72
From the equation we have,
58 kg of butane requires 208 kg of oxygen for complete combustion
i.e. 0.7 kg of butane requires ,y©@© × 0.7 = 2.51 kg of oxygen
44 kg of propane requires 160 kg of oxygen for complete combustion
i.e. 0.3 kg of propane requires %fy-- × 0.3 = 1.09 kg of oxygen
So, for 1 kg of LPG (2.51+1.09) requires 3.6 kg of oxygen
Amount of air required= /.f,/ × 100 = 15.65 kg
6.6 Combustion in SI and CI engine
6.6.1 Normal combustion in SI engine
Under normal operating conditions, combustion in SI engine is initiated towards the end of
the compression stroke at the spark plug by an electric discharge. Following inflammation, a
turbulent flame develops, propagates through this essentially premixed fuel, air, burned gas
mixture until it reaches the combustion chamber walls, and then extinguishes. The
combustion process of SI engines can be divided into three broad regions: (1) ignition and
flame development, (2) flame propagation, and (3) flame termination. Flame development is
generally considered the consumption of about the first 5% of the air-fuel mixture. During
the flame development period, ignition occurs and the combustion process starts, but very
little pressure rise is noticeable and little or no useful work is produced. Just about all useful
work produced in an engine cycle is the result of the flame propagation period of the
combustion process. This is the period when the bulk of the fuel and air mass is burned.
During this time, pressure in the cylinder is greatly increased, and this provides the force to
produce work in the expansion stroke. Nearly the final 5% of the air-fuel mass which burns
is classified as flame termination. During this time, pressure quickly decreases and
combustion stops.
6.6.2 Normal combustion in CI engine
Combustion in a compression ignition engine is quite different from that in an SI engine.
Engine torque and power output controlled by the amount of fuel injected per cycle. Fuel is
injected into the cylinders late in the compression stroke by one or more injectors located in
each cylinder combustion chamber. In addition to the swirl and turbulence of the air, a high
injection velocity is needed to spread the fuel throughout the cylinder and cause it to mix
with the air. After injection, the fuel must go through a series of events to assure the proper
combustion process:
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1. Atomization: Fuel drops break into very small droplets. The smaller the original drop
size emitted by the injector, the quicker and more efficient will be this atomization
process.
2. Vaporization: The small droplets of liquid fuel evaporate to vapor. This occurs very
quickly due to the hot air temperatures created by the high compression of CI engines.
High air temperature needed for this vaporization process requires a minimum
compression ratio in CI engines.
3. Mixing: After vaporization, the fuel vapor must mix with air to form a mixture within the
AF range which is combustible. This mixing comes about because of the high fuel
injection velocity added to the swirl and turbulence in the cylinder air.
4. Self-Ignition: After the mixing the air-fuel mixture starts to self-ignite. Actual combustion
is preceded by secondary reactions, including breakdown of large hydrocarbon
molecules into smaller species and some oxidation. These reactions, caused by the high-
temperature air, are exothermic and further raise the air temperature in the immediate
local vicinity. This finally leads to an actual sustained combustion process.
5. Combustion: Combustion starts from self-ignition simultaneously at many locations.
When combustion starts, multiple flame fronts spreading from the many self-ignition
sites quickly consume all the gas mixture which is in a correct combustible air-fuel ratio,
even where self-ignition wouldn't occur. This gives a very quick rise in temperature and
pressure within the cylinder. The higher temperature and pressure reduce the
vaporization time and ignition delay time for additional fuel particles and cause more
self-ignition points to further increase the combustion process.
6.7 Abnormal combustion in SI engine
Fuel composition, certain engine design operating parameters and combustion chamber
deposits-may prevent the normal combustion process from occurring. The abnormal
combustion in the engine is harmful since it can harm the engine and produces undesired
noise while engine in operation. Two major types of abnormal combustion are: knock and
surface ignition.
6.7.1 Surface-ignition
Surface ignition is ignition of the fuel/air mixture by hot spot on the combustion chamber
walls such as an overheated valve or spark plug, or glowing carbonaceous deposits in
combustion chamber, i.e., any means other than the normal spark discharge. It can occur
before the occurrence of the spark (pre-ignition) or after (post-ignition). Between pre-
ignition and post-ignition phenomenon, pre-ignition is potentially the most damaging. Any
process that advances the normal start of combustion will cause higher heat rejection
because of increasing burned gas pressure and temperature that result. Higher heat
rejection causes high temperature components which, in turn, can advance the pre-ignition
point even further until critical components fail. Causes of pre-ignition include the following:
Class Notes on Thermal Energy Conversion System
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• Carbon deposits, an overheated spark plug. Glowing carbon deposits on a hot exhaust
valve
• A sharp edge in the combustion chamber or on top of a piston and valves.
• A lean fuel mixture.
• Ineffective cooling system.
6.7.2 Knocking (Detonation)
Knocking is the noise associated with auto ignition of a portion of the fuel-air mixture ahead
of the advancing flame front. Auto ignition is the spontaneous ignition and the resulting very
rapid reaction of a portion or all of the fuel-air mixture. It is generally agreed that knock
originates in the extremely rapid release of much of the energy contained in the end-gas
ahead of the propagating turbulent flame, resulting high local pressure. Knocking is
governed by different operating variables like temperature and pressure of combustion
chamber. Knock primarily occurs under wide open throttle operating conditions. It also
constrains engine efficiency by limiting temperature and pressure of the end gas; it limits
the engine compression ratio. The occurrence and severity of knock depend on the knock
resistance of the fuel and on the antiknock characteristics of the engine. The ability of a fuel
to resist knock is measured by its octane number. Higher the octane number greater is the
resistance to knock. The octane number (ON) scale is based on two hydrocarbons which
define the ends of the scale. By definition, normal heptane (n-C7H16) has a value of zero and
isooctane (C8,H16) has an octane number of 100.
6.8 Abnormal combustion in CI engine
In a compression ignition engine, self-ignition of the air-fuel mixture is a necessity. The
correct fuel must be chosen which will self-ignite at the precise proper time in the engine
cycle. The period between the start of fuel injection into the combustion chamber and the
start of combustion is called ignition delay. At normal engine conditions (low to medium
speed, full warmed engine) the minimum delay occurs with the start of injection at about 1
to 15° BTDC. The increase in the delay with earlier or later injection timing occurs because
the air temperature and pressure change significantly close to TDC. If injection starts earlier,
the initial air temperature and pressure are lower so delay will increase. If injection starts
later (closer to TC) the temperature pressure are initially slightly higher but then decrease
as the delay proceeds. The most favorable conditions for ignition lie in between.
The property that quantifies Ignition Delay is called the cetane number. The larger the
cetane number, the shorter is the ID and the quicker the fuel will self-ignite in the
combustion chamber environment. A low cetane number means the fuel will have a long ID.
Like octane number rating, cetane numbers are established by comparing the test fuel to
two standard reference fuels. The fuel component n-cetane, (C16H34), is given the cetane
number value of 100, while heptamethylnonane (C12H34), is given the value of 15. The
cetane number (CN) of other fuels is then obtained by comparing the ID of that fuel to the ID
of a mixture