ICE Problems
1. For a spark ignition engine operating at 3000 rpm, combustion occupies about 30o of crank angle
movement. What is the total time of combustion?
Solution:
Time for 1 revolution = (1/3000) min = (60/3000) s = 0.02 s
Time for 360o crank rotation = 0.02 s
Time for 1o crank rotation = (0.02/360) s
Time for 30o crank rotation = (0.02/360) x 30 = 0.00167 s or 1.67 ms
2. What is the mean piston speed for an 800 cc four-cylinder, four-stroke petrol engine operating at
3600 rpm. Bore to stroke ratio is 1 and compression ratio is 10.
Solution:
VE = no. of cylinder x (0.25πB2S)
S = [(VE / no. of cylinder)(4/π)]1/3 = 0.0634 m
Ūp = 2 S N = 2(0.0634)(3600/60) = 7.6 m/s
3. An internal combustion engine based on four stroke cycle has following specifications:
Bore = 8 cm
Stroke = 9 cm
Mean piston speed = 12 m/s
Fuel conversion efficiency = 0.3
Mechanical efficiency = 0.85
Volumetric efficiency = 0.85
Calorific value of fuel = 43,900 kJ/kg
Fuel – air ratio = 0.067
Intake pressure = 100 kPa
Intake temperature = 300 K
Number of cylinders = 4
Find:
a. Total engine displacement (in cm3)
Solution:
VE= Nc x Vd = Nc x (0.25 π B2 S)
VE = 4 [(0.25 π) (8)2 (9)] = 1809.6 cm3
b. Crank shaft rotational speed (in rpm)
Solution:
Ūp = 2 S N
N = (60) [12 / {(2) (9 / 100)}] = 4000 rpm
c. Brake power (in kW)
Solution:
Ẇb = ηf,b ηV N VE QHV ρa (FA) / n
ρa = P / (R T)
Ẇb = (0.3)(0.85)(4000/60)(1809.6x10-6)(43900)[100000/((287)(300))](0.067)/2
= 52.5 kW
d. Indicated power (in kW)
Solution:
Ẇ i = Ẇ b / ηM
Ẇi = 52.5 / 0.85 = 61.8 kW
e. Friction mean effective pressure (in kPa)
Solution:
fmep = Ẇf nR / (VE N)
Ẇf = Ẇi - Ẇb
fmep = (61.8 – 52.5) (2) / [(1809.6x10-6) (4000/60)) = 153.7 kPa
f. Brake specific fuel consumption (in kg/kWhr)
Solution:
bsfc = 1 / [(ηf,b) (QHV)]
bsfc = 1 / [(0.3) (43900)] = 0.273 kg/kWhr
4. A four stroke cycle engine has a total engine displacement of 3.0 liter. The friction mean effective
pressure (fmep, kPa) is given by:
fmep = 50 + 0.025N
And the indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP, kPa) is given by:
imep = 1000 + 0.19 N – 0.000028N2
Where N is the engine speed in rpm.
a. Write an expression for the brake mean effective pressure (bmep) as a function of engine
speed.
Solution:
bmep = imep – fmep = 950 + 0.165 N – 0.000028N2
b. Find the speed at which the engine achieves its maximum bmep.
Solution:
For maximum bmep: d(bmep)/dN = 0
d(bmep)/dN = 0.165 – 0.000056N = 0
N = 2946 rpm
c. Find maximum bmep.
Solution:
bmepmaximum = 950 + 0.165(2946) – 0.000028(2946)2 = 1193 kPa
d. Find maximum brake torque.
Solution:
τmaximum = bmepmaximum VE / (2 π n) = (1193 x 103)(3 x 10-3) / ( 2 x π x 2)
= 284.8 N-m
e. Write an expression for brake power as function of rpm.
Solution:
Ẇb (kW) = (N bmep VE ) / n = 0.0475N + 8.25 x 10-6 N2 – 1.4 x 10-9N3 where N is in rpm
f. Find the speed at which engine achieves its maximum brake power.
Solution:
For maximum Ẇb: dẆb /dN = 0
dẆb /dN = 0.0475 + 16.5 x 10-6N – 4.2 x 10-9N2 = 0
N = 5859 rpm
g. Find maximum brake power.
Solution:
Ẇbmaximum = 0.0475(5859) + 8.25 x 10-6 (5859)2 – 1.4 x 10-9(5859)3 = 280 kW
h. Find the mechanical efficiency at the maximum power speed.
Solution:
ηm = Ẇb/ Ẇi = bmep/imep = 1 - (fmep/imep)
= 1 – [(50 + 0.025 x 5859) / (1000 + 0.19 x 5859 – 0.000028 x 58592)] = 0.829
5. A four-cylinder automotive spark-ignition engine is being designed to provide a maximum brake
torque of 150 N m in mid-speed range (~3000 rpm). Estimate the required engine displacement,
bore and stroke, and the maximum brake power the engine will deliver.
Solution:
For engine displacement:
bmep = (Ẇb n) / (N VE) = n (2 π N τ) / (N VE) = [(2) (2 π) (150)] / VE
Taking bmep = 925 kPa in mid-speed range at maximum torque
VE = 0.002 m3 or 2 L
For bore and stroke:
VE = Nc Vd = Nc (0.25 π B2 S) = (4) (0.25 π) (B3) assuming B/S = 1.0
B = S = 0.087 m or 87 mm
For maximum brake power:
bmep = (Ẇb n) / (N VE)
For maximum brake power is to be estimated at maximum rated speed. Maximum rated speed is estimated
at maximum mean piston speed.
Ūp = 2 S N
Nmax = 15 / (2 x 0.087) = 86 rev/s taking Ūpmax = 15 m/s
Taking bmep = 800 kPa for maximum power
Ẇb,max = (800000) (0.002) (86) / 2 = 69 kW
6. The brake fuel conversion efficiency of an engine is 0∙3. The mechanical efficiency is 0∙8. The
combustion efficiency is 0∙94. The heat losses to the coolant and the oil are 60 kW. The fuel
chemical energy entering the engine per unit time is 190 kW. What percentage of this energy
becomes
a) Brake power
Solution:
Brake Power = (0.3) (190) = 57 kW
Percentage of brake power in energy supplied by fuel = (100)(57/190) = 30%
b) Friction power
Solution:
Indicated Power = 57/0.8 = 71.25 kW
Friction Power = 71.25 – 57 = 14.25 kW
Percentage of brake power in energy supplied by fuel = (100)(14.5/190) = 7.5%
c) Heat losses
Solution:
Heat Losses =60 kW
Percentage of heat losses in energy supplied by fuel = (100)(60/190) = 31.6%
d) Exhaust chemical energy
Solution:
Exhaust Chemical Energy = (1 - 0.94) (190) = 11.4 kW
Percentage of exhaust chemical energy in energy supplied by fuel = (100)(11.4/190) = 6%
e) Exhaust sensible energy
Solution:
Chemical Energy converted to Thermal Energy = (0.94) (190) = 178.6 kW
Exhaust Sensible Energy = 178.6 – 60 – 71.25 = 47.35 kW
Percentage of exhaust sensible energy in energy supplied by fuel=(100)(47.35/190 =24.9%
7. A four-cylinder racing engine of capacity 2.495 liters has a bore of 94 mm and a compression
ratio of 12/1. When tested against a dynamometer with torque arm of 0.461 m a maximum load of
622 N was obtained at 5000 rpm, and at peak speed of 6750 rpm the load was 547 N. The
minimum fuel consumption was 17.2 ml/s at a speed of 5000 rpm, the specific gravity of fuel
being 0.735, and the net calorific value at constant volume is 44,200 kJ/kg. Calculate the
maximum brake mean effective pressure, the maximum brake power, the minimum specific fuel
consumption, and maximum brake thermal efficiency at maximum torque.
Answer:
At 5000 rpm (maximum brake torque, bmep and thermal efficiency; minimum bsfc):
τb = load x torque arm = 0.461 x 622 = 286.742 N (maximum)
bmep = 2πnτb/VE = 2π (2)/286.742/(2.495x10-3) = 1.44 MPa (maximum)
bsfc = mf/Ẇb; where
Ẇb = 2πNẆb = 2π (5000/60) (286.742) = 150.138 kW
mf = volume flow rate x specific gravity x density of water at 4oC
= 17.2x10-6 x 0.735 x 1000 = 0.012642 kg/s
bsfc = 0.012642/150138 = 8.4x10-8 kg/J or 0.303 kg/kWh (minimum)
ηf,b = Ẇb/(mfQHV) = 150.138/(0.012642x44200) = 0.269 (maximum)
At 6750 rpm (maximum brake power):
τb = load x torque arm = 0.461 x 547 = 252.167 N (maximum)
Ẇb = 2πNτb = 2π (6750/60) (252.167) = 178.246 kW
8. A three-cylinder, direct injection, water-cooled, two-stroke oil engine with two horizontally
opposed pistons per cylinder has a bore of 82.6 mm and each piston has a stroke of 102 mm. The
engine was tested against a brake with a torque arm of 0.381 m. The results taken on a variable
speed test are as in table. Plot curves of torque, brake power, and specific fuel consumption
against speed. Convert the torque curve to a bmep curve by calculation of appropriate scale factor.
Speed Brake Fuel
(rpm) Load (N) (kg/min)
1000 607.8 0.146
1100 614.6 0.157
1200 621.4 0.172
1300 621.4 0.185
1400 621.4 0.201
1500 621.4 0.216
1600 616.0 0.229
1700 609.0 0.241
1800 596.5 0.252
9. A spark-ignition engine driving a car uses, on average, 120 grams of gasoline per mile traveled.
The average emissions from the engine (upstream of the catalyst) are 1.5, 2, and 20 grams per
mile of NOx (as NO2), HC and CO, respectively. The engine operates with a stoichiometric
gasoline-air fuel mixture. Find the average concentrations in parts per million of NOx, HC and CO
in engine exhaust? Take apparent molar mass of exhaust to be 29 and stoichiometric ratio to be
14.6.
Solution
Mass of NOx per unit mass of gasoline = [1.5 g / mile] / [120 g / mile] = 0.0125
Mass of stoichiometric gasoline-air mixture per unit mass of gasoline = 14.6+1 = 15.6
Mass of NOx per unit mass of gasoline-air mixture = 0.0125/15.6 = 0.0008
Parts per million of NOx (as NO2) = 0.0008x(29/46)x106 = 505 ppm
Similarly:
Parts per million of CO = (20/120)x(1/15.6)x(29/28)x106 = 11065 ppm
Parts per million of HC = (2/120)x(1/15.6)x(29/44)x106 = 704 ppm propane
or 704 x 3= 2112 ppm C1
10. For following data:
Brake power = 50 kW
Fuel consumption = 16 km/lit
Brake specific fuel consumption = 75g/J
Specific gravity of fuel = 0.75
Air to fuel ratio = 15:1
Nox emission = 6 g/mi
Estimate:
a) Emission index for Nox.
Solution:
EINOx = mNox / mf = [6 (g/mi) (1 mi / 1.6 km)] [16 (km/lit) 1/(0.75 x 1) (lit/kg)]
= 80 g / kg of fuel
b) Percentage by mass of Nox in exhaust.
Solution:
% NOx = 100 (mNox / mexhaust) = 100 [mNox / (mf + ma)] = 100 [mNox / (mf + 15 mf)]
= (100 / 16) (mNox / mf ) = (100 / 16) (80 x 10-3) = 0.5%
c) Brake specific index for Nox.
Solution:
sNOx = mNox / Pb = (mNox / mf) (mf / Pb) = (80 x 10-3) (75 x 10-6) = 6 g/J
11. The average indicated power developed in a compression ignition engine is 12.9 kW per m 3 of
free air induced per minute. The engine is a three-liter four-stroke engine running at 3500 rpm,
and has a volumetric efficiency of 80%, referred to free air conditions of 1.013 bar and 15 oC. It is
proposed to fit a blower, driven mechanically from engine. The blower has an isentropic
efficiency of 75% and works through a pressure ratio of 1.7. Assume that at the end of induction
the cylinders contain a volume of charge equal to swept volume, at the pressure and temperature
of the delivery from the blower. Calculate the increase in brake power to be expected from the
engine. Take all mechanical efficiencies at 80%.
Solution:
For un-supercharged engines:
ηv = 2ma/(ρa,iVdN)
ρa,i = ρfree air = pfree air/(R Tfree air) = (1.013x105)/(287 x 288) = 1.226 kg/m3
ma = (0.8)(1.226)(3x10-3)(3500)/2 = 5.1492 kg/min or 0.086 kg/s
VFAD = ma/ρa,I = 5.1492/1.226 = 4.2 m3/min or 0.07 m3/s
Pindicated,un-supercharged = (12.9)(4.2) = 54.18 kW
Pbrake,un-supercharged = (0.8)(54.18) = 43.34 kW
For supercharged engines:
Pressure at supercharger-blower inlet = 1.013x105 Pa
Pressure at supercharger-blower outlet = 1.7 x 1.013x105 = 1.7221 x105 Pa
Temperature at supercharger-blower inlet = 15oC or 288 K
Isentropic temperature at supercharger-blower outlet = 288(1.7)(1.4-1)/1.4 = 335 K
Temperature at supercharger-blower outlet = 288 + (335 – 288)/0.75 = 350.9 K
ρa,i = ρblower outlet = pblower outlet/(R Tblower outlet) = (1.7221x105)/(287 x 350.9) = 1.71 kg/m3
ma = (1.0)(1.71)(3x10-3)(3500)/2 = 8.9775 kg/min or 0.15 kg/s [ηv = 1.0 as at the end of induction
the cylinders contain a volume of charge equal to swept volume, at the pressure and temperature of
the delivery from the blower]
VFAD = ma/ρa,I = 8.9775/1.226 = 7.3 m3/min or 0.12 m3/s
Pindicated,supercharged, expansion/compression of charge = (12.9)(7.3) = 94.17 kW
Pindicated,supercharged, higher intake pressure = (Intake pressure – exhaust pressure) Vd N/2
= (1.7221 – 1.013)105(3x10-3)(3500/60)/2 = 6.2 kW
Pindicated,supercharged = 94.17 + 6.2 = 100.29 kW
Pcompression = 0.15(1.005)(350.9 – 288)/0.8 = 11.85 kW
Pbrake,supercharged = (0.8)(100.29) - 11.85 = 68.38 kW
Net increase in brake power = 68.38 – 43.34 = 25.04 kW
12. A six cylinder, four stroke CI engine of 75 mm bore and 100 mm stroke has a brake power output
of 110 kW at 3750rev/min. The volumetric efficiency at this operating condition referred to
ambient conditions of 1.013 bar and 20oC is 80%.
The engine is now fitted with a mechanically driven supercharger, which has an isentropic
efficiency of 0.7 and a pressure ratio of 1.6. The supercharged version has volumetric efficiency
of 100% referred to the supercharger delivery pressure and temperature. If it is assumed that the
indicated power developed per unit volume flow rate of induced air at ambient conditions is same
for normal aspiration and supercharging, calculate net increase in brake power to be expected
from the supercharged engine. Take mechanical efficiency of the engine as 80% in both cases and
the mechanical efficiency of the drive from engine to supercharger as 95%.
