ENGINE TESTING AND PERFORMANCE

(ME 59)

Sample Problems
 ENGINE PERFORMANCE

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

Sample Problem 1: (Calculating the heat supplied by fuel)

What is the heat that can be supplied by 39 kg/hr diesel fuel whose heating value is 43,912 kJ/kg?
Solution:
QT = mf (HV)
QT = (39 kg/hr)( 43,912 kJ/kg) (1hr/3600sec)
QT = 475.71 kW

Sample Problem 2: (Air-Fuel Ratio)

The density of the air entering the engine is 1.19 kg/m 3 whose volume flowrate is 0.51 m3/s. if the
mass flow rate of fuel is 121.38 kg/hr, what is the air-fuel ratio?
Solution:
𝑨 𝒂 𝒎
=
𝑭 𝒎 𝒇
Where:
𝑚𝑓 = 121.38 kg/hr = 0.034 kg/s

Solving for the mass of air: ma :

ma = 𝜌𝑎 𝑉𝑎 = 1.19(0.51) = 0.6069 kg/s
then :
𝐴 𝑚𝑎 0.6069 𝑘𝑔/𝑠𝑒𝑐
= 𝑚 = 0.034 𝑘𝑔/𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝐹 𝑓

Answer:
𝑨
= 18 kg air/kg fuel
𝑭
Sample Problem 3: (Piston Displacement)
Determine the piston displacement of 35 cm x 45 cm, 4-stroke, 1200 rpm, 8-cylinder diesel engine?
Solution:
𝜋𝐷2 N
VD = ( ) L (2𝑟𝑒𝑣) n a
4
𝜋(0.35𝑚)2 (0.45𝑚) 1200 𝑟𝑒𝑣/𝑚𝑖𝑛
VD = ( )[ ](8)(1)
4 2 𝑟𝑒𝑣(60 𝑠𝑒𝑐/𝑚𝑖𝑛)
Answer:
VD = 3.46 m3 /s
/

Sample Problem 4: (Piston Speed)

What is the piston speed of a 30 cm x 35 cm diesel engine running at 1100 rpm?
Solution:
The piston speed (V):
2𝐿 2 0.35𝑚 ( ) 1100 𝑟𝑒𝑣/𝑚𝑖𝑛
Piston speed = ( ) N = ( 𝑟𝑒𝑣 )[ ]
𝑟𝑒𝑣 (60 𝑠𝑒𝑐/𝑚𝑖𝑛)
Answer:
Piston speed = 12.83 m/s

Sample Problem 5: (Calculating the indicated power of a Diesel Engine)

The cylinder diameter of an eight-cylinder, single acting, four stroke diesel engine are 750 mm and
the stroke is 1125 mm. the indicated mean effective pressure in the cylinder is 586 kPa when the
engine is running at 110 rpm. Calculate the indicated power.

Solution:
𝐍
I.P = Pmi L A ( ) n a------- for 4-stroke cycle engine
𝟐𝒓𝒆𝒗
𝜋 110 𝑟𝑒𝑣/𝑚𝑖𝑛
I.P = 586 kPa (1.125 m) [ (0.75 m)2][2 𝑟𝑒𝑣 (60 𝑠𝑒𝑐/𝑚𝑖𝑛)](8)(1)
4
Answer:
I.P = 2, 135.82 kW

Sample Problem 6: (Calculating the brake power of a Diesel Engine)

The flywheel of a rope brake is 1.22 m diameter and the rope is 24 mm diameter. When the engine
is running at 250 rev/min the load on the brake is 480 N one end of the rope and 84 N on the other
end. Calculate the brake power.
 Solution:
𝟐𝝅𝑻𝑵
B.P =
𝟔𝟎
The load (F) on the brake (F):
F = W– S
F = 480 – 84 = 396 N
The radius (r):
1
r = 2(1220 + 24) = 622 mm
r = 0.622 m
The torque (T):
T = 396 (0.622) = 246.31 N-m
The brake power, B.P:
2𝜋 (246.31 N.m)(250 𝑟𝑒𝑣/𝑚𝑖𝑛)
B.P = ( )
𝑟𝑒𝑣 60 𝑠𝑒𝑐/𝑚𝑖𝑛
Answer:
B.P = 6,448.43 W

Sample Problem 7: (Calculating the Brake mean effective pressure)

A single acting, 8 cylinder, 4 stroke cycle diesel engine with a bore to stroke of 142.10 mm x 210.45
mm operates at 1200 rpm. The load on the brake arm at 1 m of the prony brake is 150 kg. What is
the brake mean effective pressure in kPa?
Solution:
B.P = Pmb VDT
The volume displacement (VDT):
𝜋 1200 𝑟𝑒𝑣/𝑚𝑖𝑛
VDT = [4 (0.1421 m)²](0.21045 m)[2 𝑟𝑒𝑣 (60 𝑠𝑒𝑐/𝑚𝑖𝑛)](8)(1)
VDT = 0.267 m3/s
The brake power (B.P):
𝟐𝝅𝑻𝑵
B.P =
𝟔𝟎
Where:
T= Torque
T = (150 kg) (9.81 N/kg))(1 m) (1kN/1000N)
T = 1.4715 kN-m
The brake power (B.P):
2𝜋 (1.4715 kN.m)(1200 𝑟𝑒𝑣/𝑚𝑖𝑛)
B.P = ( )
𝑟𝑒𝑣 60 𝑠𝑒𝑐/𝑚𝑖𝑛
B.P = 184.91 kW
The men effective pressure (Pmb):
184.91 kw = Pmb (0.267 m3/s)
Answer:
Pmb = 692.55 kPa

Sample Problem 8: (Calculating the indicated power)

What is the mechanical efficiency of a 0.5 MW diesel engine if the friction power is 70 kW.
Solution:
The mechanical efficiency:
 𝑩.𝑷
ηm =
𝑰.𝑷
The indicated power:
I.P = B.P + F.P
I.P = 500 kw + 70 kw
I.P = 570 kW

Substitute:
500 𝑘𝑤
ηm =
570 𝑘𝑤
ηm = 0.8772 or 87.72 %

Sample Problem 9: (Calculating the generator efficiency given the brakepower)

A 16-cylinder V-type diesel engine is directly coupled to ¾ MW AC generator. Calculate the
generator efficiency of the engine if the brake power is 833.33 kW.
Solution:
3
𝑮.𝑶 4
𝑀𝑊
ηgen = =
𝑩.𝑷 0.833 𝑀𝑊
Answer:
ηgen = 0.90 or 90%

Sample Problem 10: (Calculating the brake thermal efficiency)

A supercharged six cylinder, four stroke cycle diesel engine of 10.48 cm bore and 12.7 cm stroke has a
compression ratio of 15. When it is tested on a dynamometer with a 53.34 cm arm at 2500 rpm, the scale
reads 81.65 kg, 2.86 kg of fuel of 45,822.20 kJ/kg heating value are burned during a 6 min. test and air
metered to the cylinder at the rate of 0.182 kg/s. Find the brake thermal efficiency.
Solution:

Sample Problem 11 (Calculating the combined thermal efficiency)

A 16-cylinder V-type diesel engine is directly coupled to 1 MW AC generator. Calculate the
combined thermal efficiency if the heat supplied by the fuel is 2.5 MW.
Solution:
𝑮.𝑶
ηto = 𝒎 (𝑯𝑽)
𝒇
1 𝑀𝑊
ηto = 2.5 𝑀𝑊
Answer:
ηto = 0.40 0r 40 %

Sample Problem 12 (Calculating the cycle efficiency)

What is the indicated engine efficiency of diesel engine if the indicated thermal efficiency is
35 % and the cycle efficiency is 45 %?

Solution:
𝛈𝐭𝐢
eei =
𝒆
0.35
eei = 0.45
Answer:
eei = 77.78 %

Sample Problem 13 (Calculating the combined engine efficiency)

If the over-all thermal efficiency of a diesel engine is 33% and the diesel cycle efficiency
49%, what is the combined engine efficiency?
Solution:
𝛈𝐭𝐨
eeo =
𝒆
0.33
eec = 0.49
Answer:
eec = 67.35%

Sample Problem 14 (Calculating the volumetric efficiency)

Determine the volumetric efficiency of 35 cm x 45 cm, 4 stroke 1200 rpm, 8 cylinder diesel
engine if the air drawn in the engine is 3 m 3/s?
Solution:
The volume displacement, VDT :
𝝅𝑫𝟐 N
VDT = ( )L( )na
𝟒 2
𝜋(0.35 𝑚)2 (0.45 𝑚) 1200 𝑟𝑒𝑣/𝑚𝑖𝑛
VDT = ( )( )(8)(1)
4 2 𝑟𝑒𝑣(60 𝑠𝑒𝑐/𝑚𝑖𝑛)
VDT = 3.46 m3/s
The volumetric efficiency, ηv:
ηv = 𝑽𝑽𝒂
𝑫𝑻
3 𝐦𝟑/𝐬
ηv = 3.46 𝐦𝟑/𝐬
Answer:
ηv = 0.87 or 87%

Sample Problem 15 (Calculating the indicated fuel consumption)

What is the indicated specific fuel consumption of a six cylinder, four stroke diesel engine
with 76 mm bore x 89 mm stroke and indicated power of 38.33 kW if the engine consumed
12.2 kg/hr of fuel?
Solution:
𝒎𝒇
mfci =
𝑰.𝑷
12.2 𝑘𝑔/ℎ𝑟
mfci =
38.33 𝑘𝑤
Answer:
𝒌𝒈
mfci = 0.31829 𝒌𝑾−𝒉𝒓

Sample Problem 16 (Calculating the brake specific fuel consumption)

A 4-stroke, 8 cylinder diesel engine with bore and stroke of 9 inches and 12 inches
respectively and speed of 950 rpm has a brake mean effective pressure of 164 psi. What is
the brake specific fuel consumption (in lb per hp-hr) if the engine consumed 468.55 lbs of
fuel per hour?
Solution:
The brake specific fuel consumption, mfcb
𝒎𝒇
mfcb =
𝑩.𝑷
Solving for B.P:
𝑃𝑚𝑏 𝐿𝐴𝑁𝑛𝑎
𝐵. 𝑃 = Note: 1 hp= 33,000 ft-lb/min
33000
Where:
𝜋 9
A = ( )2 = 0.442 ft2
4 12
𝑖𝑛2 12 950 𝑟𝑒𝑣/𝑚𝑖𝑛
[164 𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛2 )(144 )](12)𝑓𝑡(0.442 𝑓𝑡 2 )( )(8)(1)
𝑓𝑡2 2 𝑟𝑒𝑣
B.P = 𝑙𝑏
33,000𝑓𝑡.𝑚𝑖𝑛/ℎ𝑝
B.P = 1,201.983 hp
Then:
𝒎𝒇
mfcb =
𝑩.𝑷
468.55 𝑙𝑏/ℎ𝑟
mfcb = 1201.983 ℎ𝑝
Answer:
mfcb = 0.3898 lb/hp-hr

Sample Problem 17 (Calculating the combined specific fuel consumption)

A 16-cylinder V-type diesel engine is directly coupled to a 1 MW AC generator. Calculate
the combined specific fuel consumption if the fuel consumed is 1 kg/s.
Solution:
𝒎𝒇 (𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎)
mfco =
𝑮.𝑶
1𝑘𝑔/ℎ𝑟(3600 ℎ𝑟/𝑠𝑒𝑐)
mfco =
1000 𝑘𝑤
Answer:
 mfco = 3.6 kg/kW-hr

Sample Problem 18 (Calculating the indicated heat rate)

A four cylinder, 4 stroke cycle, 20 cm x 25 cm x 550 rpm diesel engine has a mean
effective pressure of 150 psi. If the heat supplied by the fuel is 50 kJ/sec, what is the
indicated heat rate?
Solution:

Sample Problem 19 (Calculating the brake heat rate)

A 305 mm x 457 cm stroke single acting diesel engine is rated at 150 kW at 260 rpm.
Fuel consumption at rated load is 0.26 kg/kW-hr with a heating value of 43,912 kJ/kg.
Calculate the brake heat rate.
Solution:

Sample Problem 20 (Calculating the combined heat rate)

The kilowatt output of a generator coupled to a diesel engine is 1.5 MW. If the mass of fuel
with heating value 45,000 kJ/kg consumed by the engine is 0.04 kg/s, what is the combined
heat rate?
Solution:
𝒎𝒇 (𝑯𝑽)(𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎) 𝑘𝐽
HRc =
𝑮.𝑶 𝑘𝑊−ℎ𝑟
(0.04 𝑘𝑔/𝑠𝑒𝑐)(45,000 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔)(3600 𝑠𝑒𝑐/ℎ𝑟)
HRc =
1500 𝑘𝑤
Answer:
𝒌𝑱
HRc = 4320 𝒌𝑾−𝒉𝒓

Sample Problem 21 (Calculating the generator speed)

An eight-cylinder, two-cycle, single acting diesel engine rated at 1250 Hp at standard
condition is to be directly coupled to a 24-pole alternator, 3 phase, 60 cycle, What is the
generator speed?
Solution:
120𝑓
N=
𝑛
120(60)
N =
24
Answer:
N = 300 rpm
Sample Problem 22: (Calculating the indicated power using indicator card diagram)
The area of an indicator diagram taken off a four-cylinder, single acting, four stroke engine when
running at 5.5 rev/s is 390 mm², the length is 70 mm and the scale of the indicator spring is 1 mm =
80 kPa. The diameter of the cylinder is 150 mm and the stroke is 200 mm. Calculate the indicated
power of the engine assuming all the cylinders develop equal power.

Given:
Ac = 390 mm2 4- stroke engine
Lc = 70 mm N= 5.5 rev/sec
Sc = spring scale = 80 kPa/mm D= Bore = 150 mm =0.150 m
n= 4 cyl L = Stroke = 200 mm = 0.200 m

Solution:
𝐍
I.P = Pmi L A ( ) n a------- for 4-stroke cycle engine
𝟐
Note: 2 revolutions of crankshafts are required to produce power and complete the 4 strokes of the
engine.

Where:
Pmi = mean height x spring scale
(𝐀 𝐱 𝐒 )
Pmi = 𝐜 𝐜
𝐋𝐜
390 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑚
Pmi = ( )(80 kPa/mm) = 445.71 kPa
70𝑚𝑚
Thus:
𝟐
𝐍
I.P = Pmi L (𝝅𝑫
𝟒
)(𝟐 𝒓𝒆𝒗) na
𝜋(0.15 𝑚)² 5.5 𝑟𝑒𝑣
I.P = (445.71 kPa)(0.2 m)( ) (4)(1)
4 2 𝑟𝑒𝑣
Answer:
I.P = 17.327 kW

Sample Problem 23: (Calculating the indicated power)

A six cylinder, four stroke diesel engine with 76 mm bore x 89 mm stroke was run in the laboratory
at 2000 rpm, when it was found that the engine torque was 153.5 N-m when all the cylinders firing
but 123 N-m when one cylinder was out. The engine consume 12.2 kg of fuel per hour with a heating
value of 54,120 kJ/kg of fuel. Determine:
a) The indicated power for 5-cylinder and 6-cylinder firing
b) The indicated thermal efficiency for 6-cylinder firing
c) The brake thermal efficiency for 5-cylinder firing
 Given:
D = 76 mm T6 = Torque when all 6 cylinders were firing = 153.5 N.m
L = 89 mm T5 = Torque when only 5 cylinders were firing = 123 N.m
N = 2000 rev/min mF = 12.2 kg/hr
n= 6 cyl HV = 54,120 kJ/kg

Solution:
To determine the indicated power for 5-cylinder and 6-cylinder firing:
Note: the friction powers for engine operating with 6-cylinder and 5-cylinders are
the same:
F.P(6) = F.P(5)
I.P(6) - B.P(6) = I.P(5) - B.P(5)
I.P(6) - I.P(5) = B.P(6)– B.P(5)
I.P(1) = B.P(6)– B.P(5)
B.P(6) = 𝟐𝛑 T6 N
2000 rev 1 min 1 KN
B.P(6) = 2π (153.5 N.m)( ) (60 min) (1000 N)
min
B.P(6) = 32.15 kw
Also,
B.P(5) = 𝟐𝛑 T5 N
2000 rev 1 min 1 KN
B.P(5) = 2π (123 N.m)( ) (60 min) (1000 N)
min
B.P(5) = 25.76 kw
then,
I.P(1) = B.P(6)– B.P(5)
I.P(1) = 32.15 kw– 25.76 kw
I.P(1) = 6.39 kw

thus

I.P(6) = Indicated power for 6-cylinder firing

I.P(6) = 6(6.39 kw) = 38.34 kw
I.P(5) = Indicated power for 5-cylinder firing
I.P(6) = 5(6.39 kw) = 31.95 kw

To determine the indicated thermal efficiency for 6-cylinder firing:

𝐈.𝐏𝟔
ηti =
𝐦𝐟 (𝐇𝐕)
38.34 kW
ηti = kg kJ hr
(12.2 )(54,120 )x(1 )
hr kg 3600

ηti = 20.9 %
To determine the brake thermal efficiency for 5-cylinder firing:

𝐁.𝐏𝟓
ηtb =
𝐦𝐟 (𝐇𝐕)
 25.76 kW
ηtb = kg kJ hr
(12.2 )(54,120 )x(1 )
hr kg 3600

ηtb = 14.04 %
Sample Problem 24: (Calculating the indicated thermal efficiency)
A generator output of 3.5 MW of diesel electric power plant uses 4,500 gallons in 24 hrs period.
What is the indicated thermal efficiency of the engine if the generator and mechanical efficiencies
are 95 % and 90 %, respectively? Fuel is at 28° API with the temperature of 27°C.

Given:
G.O = 3.5 MW = 3,500 kw
VF = 4,500 gal/24 hr = 187.5 gal/hr
ηgen = 95 %
ηm = 90 %
American Petroleum Institute (°API) = 28

Solution:
𝐈.𝐏
ηti =
𝐦𝐟 (𝐇𝐕)

where,

G.O 3,500
ηgen = ; 0.95 =
B.P B.P
B.P = 3,684.21 kw
B.P 3,684.21 kw
ηm = ; 0.90 =
I.P I.P
I.P = 4,093.567 kw
Solving for HV:
HV = 41,130 + 139.6 (28)
HV = 45,038.80 kJ/kg
Solving for mf:
𝟏𝟒𝟏.𝟓
S.G.15.6°C = = S.Gs
𝟏𝟑𝟏.𝟓+°𝐀𝐏𝐈
141.5
S.G.15.6°C = = 0.887
131.5+28
S.Gt = S.Gs [1-0.00072(tF - 15.56°C)]
S.Gt =0.887 [1-0.00072(27°C - 15.56°C)] = 0.8797
ρf = S.Gt (ρw) = 0.8797(1000 kg/m3) = 879.7 kg/m3
mf = ρf (Vf)
mf = 879.7 kg/m3 [187.5 gal/hr (3.785 li 1 m3
)( )] = 624.312 kg/hr
1 gal 1000 li
Mass of fuel per second:
624.312 kg/hr
mf = = 0.17342 kg/s
(3600 sec/hr)
then;
4,093.567 𝑘𝑊
ηti = 𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝐽
(0.17342 𝑠 )(45038.80𝑘𝑔)
Answer:
ηti = 0.5241 or 52.41%

NOTE:

The API gravity at 60°F (15.6°C) for No. 2 diesel fuel is between 30 and 42. The specific
gravity, at 60/60°F, and the density, at 15.6°C, are between 0.88 and 0.82. (See Chapter
4 – Diesel Fuel Refining and Chemistry for an explanation of fuel blending, density, and
API gravity.)