CHAPTER 9

GAS POWER CYCLES

Lecture # 10
9-4 AN OVERVIEW OF RECIPROCATING ENGINES

Internal Combustion Engines (IC)

Based on the Ignition
• Compression-ignition (CI) engines

• Four Stroke Engines

• Two Stroke Engines

Animation of the CI engines

DIESEL Cycle
Analysis of Diesel Cycle 5
Cutoff ratio

Process 2–3 involves both work and heat

The heat added in Process 2–3 can be found by

applying the closed system energy balance
cold air-standard analysis

Thermal efficiency of
the ideal Diesel cycle
as a function of
compression and
cutoff ratios (k=1.4).
Spark-ignition engines VS Compression-ignition
S.no Parameter SI Engine CI Engine

1.
Definition It is an engine in which the spark is It is and engine in which heat of
used to burn the fuel. compressed air is used to burn the fuel.
2.
Fuel used Petrol is used as fuel. Diesel is used as fuel.
3.
Operating cycle It operates on Otto cycle. It operates on Diesel cycle.
4.
Compression ratio Low compression ratio. High compression ratio.
5.
Thermal efficiency High thermal efficiency. Less thermal efficiency.
6.
Method of ignition Spark plug is used to produce spark Heat of compressed air is used for the
for the ignition. ignition.
7.
Engine Speed High speed engines. Low speed engines.
8.
Pressure generated Low pressure is generated after High pressure is generated
combustion. after combustion.
9.
Constant parameter during Constant volume cycle. Constant pressure cycle.
cycle
10.
Intake Air + fuel. Only air.
Weight of engine Si engine has less weight. CI engine are heavier.
12.
Noise production It produces less noise. It produces more noise.
13.
Production of hydrocarbon Less Hydrocarbon is produced. More hydrocarbon is produced.
14.
Starting Starting of SI engine is easy. Starting of CI engine is difficult.
15.
Maintenance cost Low High
16.
Vibration problem Less Very High
17.
Cost of engine Less cost High cost
18.
Volume to power ratio Less High
19.
Fuel supply Carburetor/ EFI Injector
20.
application It is used in light commercial It is used in heavy duty vehicles likes
vehicles like motorcycle, cars etc. bus, trucks, ships etc.
Type of fuel used: In SI engines petrol or gasoline is used as fuel, hence these
engines are also called petrol engines. In CI engines diesel is used as fuel,
hence they are also called diesel engines.
Type of cycle used: In the case of SI engines, the Otto cycle is used. In this
cycle, addition of heat or fuel combustion occurs at a constant volume. The basis
of working of CI engines is the Diesel cycle. In this cycle the addition of heat or
fuel combustion occurs at a constant pressure.
Introduction of fuel in the engine: In the case of SI engines, a mixture of air
and fuel is injected via the carburetor/EFI. In the case of CI engines, fuel is
injected into the combustion chamber towards the end of the compression
stroke. The fuel starts burning instantly due to the high pressure. To inject diesel
in SI engines, a fuel pump and injector are required. In CI engines, the quantity
of fuel to be injected is controlled but the quantity of air to be injected is not
controlled.
Ignition of fuel: By nature petrol is a highly volatile liquid, but its self-ignition
temperature is high. To generate this spark in SI engines, the spark plug is
placed in the cylinder head, voltage is provided to the spark plug from the
battery. With diesel, the self-ignition temperature is comparatively lower. Hence
in the case of CI engines, the ignition of fuel occurs due to compression of the
air, and diesel is sprayed on compressed air, there is no need for spark plugs.
Compression ratio for the fuel: In the case of SI engines, the compression ratio
of the fuel is in the range of 6 to 10 depending on the size of the engine and the
power to be produced. In CI engines, the compression ratio for air is 16 to 20. The
high compression ratio of air creates high temperatures, which ensures the diesel
fuel can self-ignite.
Weight of the engines: In CI engines the compression ratio is higher, which
produces high pressures inside the engine. Hence CI engines are heavier than SI
engines.
Speed achieved by the engine: Petrol or SI engines are lightweight, and the fuel
is homogeneously burned, hence achieving very high speeds. CI engines are
heavier and the fuel is burned heterogeneously, hence producing lower speeds.

Thermal efficiency of the engine: In the case of CI engines the value of

compression ratio is higher; hence these engines have the potential to achieve
higher thermal efficiency. In the case of SI engines the lower compression ratio
reduces their potential to achieve higher thermal efficiency.