DIESEL CYCLE (or COMBUSTION CYCLE)

▪ Diesel Cycle (Combustion Cycle) – the working cycle of compression ignition engine or Diesel engine. It
is also known as “constant pressure cycle” because the burning of the fuel takes place at constant
pressure.
▪ Diesel Engine – a prime mover actuated by the gases resulting from the combustion of a liquid or
pulverized fuel, injected in a fine state of subdivision into the engine cylinder at or about the conclusion
of the compression stroke.

BRIEF HISTORY OF DIESEL ENGINE

▪ Rudolf Diesel – inventor of the Diesel engine (patented in the year 1892).
▪ Evolution – The first objective was to operate the engine on the Carnot cycle using powdered coal.
However, the final experimental engine deviated from the Carnot cycle ideal to have nearly constant
pressure rather than isothermal combustion. In 1898, the engine was first commercialized in Germany
and U.S as four cycle type and used compressed air for injection and atomization of the fuel oil.
The modern compression-ignition engines differ in so many respects compared to the original engine
that it is more appropriate to separate the modern type from the name of Diesel and simply call them
“compression-ignition engines”. Compression ignition engines operates on either four or two stroke
cycle.
CLASSIFICATION OF DIESEL ENGINES
▪ Oil-diesel Engine – an engine which operates on fuel oil injected after compression is practically
completed.
▪ Gas-diesel Engine – an engine which operates on a combustible gas as primary fuel and in which
ignition of the gas is accomplished or aided by pilot-oil fuel injected after compression is practically
completed.
▪ Dual-fuel diesel engine – an engine which may be operated as an oil-diesel or a gas-diesel or a
combination of both and is equipped with controls or parts to permit operating as one or the other.
▪ Single-acting engine – utilizes the working medium on only one side of a single piston.
▪ Double-acting engine – utilizes the working medium on both sides of a single piston.
▪ Opposed-piston engine - utilizes the working medium simultaneously on two pistons in the same
cylinder.
▪ Trunk-piston engine – engine with connecting rod connected directly to the wristpin in the piston. The
side thrust caused by the angularity of the connecting rod is taken by the piston bearing against the
cylinder wall.
▪ Crosshead engine – has the connecting rod connected to a crosshead travelling in guides and the
crosshead in turn is connected to the corresponding piston. The side thrust caused by the angularity of
the connecting rod is taken by the crosshead and guides.
❑ FOUR-STROKE CYCLE DIESEL ENGINE:

Intake stroke: The piston moves down the cylinder (from TDC to BDC) and draws in air into the cylinder.
Compression stroke: The piston moves up the cylinder (from BDC to TDC) compressing the air increasing its temperature to about
480oC. Eventually oil is injected into the cylinder mixing with hot air causing the explosion. Combustion is fully developed by TDC
and continues at about constant pressure until fuel injection is complete and the piston has started towards BDC.
Power stroke: The power stroke continues as combustion ends and the piston travels towards BDC.
Exhaust stroke: Late in the power stroke, the exhaust valve is opened and exhaust blow down occurs. By the time the piston
reaches BDC, exhaust blowdown is complete, but the cylinder is still full of exhaust gases at approximately atmospheric pressure.
With the exhaust valve remaining open, the piston now travels from BDC to TDC in the exhaust stroke.
Figure courtesy of Thermodynamics 1 by Hipolito B. Sta. Maria
CYCLE OF OPERATION
Process of a Diesel cycle (S-P-S-V)
1-2 isentropic compression (S = C)
2-3 isobaric heat addition (P = C)
3-4 isentropic expansion (S = C)
4-1 isometric heat rejection (V = C)
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
1. Work of compression, WC : Process: 1 to 2
2
𝑝2 𝑉2 − 𝑝1 𝑉1
𝑊𝑐 = න 𝑝𝑑𝑉 =
1 1−𝑘

2. Heat added to the cycle, QA : Process: 2 to 3

𝑄𝐴 = 𝑚𝑐𝑝 𝑇3 − 𝑇2

3. Work of expansion, We : Process: 3 to 4

4
𝑝4 𝑉4 − 𝑝3 𝑉3
𝑊𝑒 = න 𝑝𝑑𝑉 =
3 1−𝑘

4. Heat rejected from the cycle, QR : Process: 4 to 1

𝑄𝑅 = 𝑚𝑐𝑣 𝑇1 − 𝑇4
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
5. Net work of the cycle, Wnet :
𝑊𝑁𝑒𝑡 = 𝑄𝐴 − 𝑄𝑅

6. Compression ratio, rk :
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑟𝑘 =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛

𝑉1 where: V1 = V4
𝑟𝑘 = V2 = compression space of the engine
𝑉2
V2 = Vc
P-V diagram of a four stroke diesel cycle
1+𝑐
𝑟𝑘 =
𝑐

7. Percent clearance, c :
𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑉𝑐
𝑐= = where: Clearance volume, Vc is also equal to V2
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑉𝐷
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
8. Expansion ratio, re :
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑟𝑒 =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝑉4 𝑉1
𝑟𝑒 = = 𝑉4 = 𝑉1
𝑉3 𝑉3

9. Cut-off ratio, rc :
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑟𝑐 =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 P-V diagram of a four stroke diesel cycle

𝑉3 𝑟𝑘
𝑟𝑐 = =
𝑉2 𝑟𝑒
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
10. Relation between rk, re, and rc :
𝑟𝑘 = 𝑟𝑒 × 𝑟𝑐

11. Percent cut-off, % cut-off:

𝑐𝑢𝑡 − 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
% 𝑐𝑢𝑡 − 𝑜𝑓𝑓 =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝑉3 −𝑉2
% 𝑐𝑢𝑡 − 𝑜𝑓𝑓 =
𝑉𝐷
P-V diagram of a four stroke diesel cycle

12. Thermal efficiency:

𝑊𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑄𝐴 − 𝑄𝑅 𝑇4 − 𝑇1 1 𝑟𝑐 𝑘 − 1
𝑒𝑡 = = =1− = 1 − 𝑘−1
𝑄𝐴 𝑄𝐴 𝑘 𝑇3 − 𝑇2 𝑟𝑘 𝑘 𝑟𝑐 − 1
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
13. Mean Effective Pressure, MEP:
where: 𝐵𝑃 = brake power
𝑊𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝐵𝑃 𝐼𝑃 𝐼𝑃 = indicated power
𝑀𝐸𝑃 = 𝑏𝑀𝐸𝑃 = 𝑖𝑀𝐸𝑃 =
𝑉𝐷 𝑉𝐷 𝑉𝐷 𝑏𝑀𝐸𝑃 = brake mean effective pressure
𝑖𝑀𝐸𝑃 = indicated mean effective pressure
14. Volume displacement, VD:
𝑉𝐷 = 𝐿𝐴𝑁

𝑉𝐷 = 𝑉1 − 𝑉2
where:
L = length of stroke (from TDC to BDC)
A = engine bore area
𝜋
= 𝐷2
4
D = engine bore or diameter of the cylinder
𝑐𝑎𝑛 P-V diagram of a four stroke diesel cycle
N = 𝑐𝑎𝑛 (for 2-stroke engine); N = (for 4-stroke engine)
2
c = no. of cylinders of an engine (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.)
a = action of cylinder (great majority of engines are built single acting, a = 1)
Double action cylinder (a = 2) is used only in very large engines of several hundreds of horsepower per cylinder
n = engine speed (rotative speed), rpm or revolutions per minute
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
15. Volumetric efficiency, 𝜂𝑣 :
𝑉𝑎 𝑚𝑎 /𝜌𝑎 where: 𝑉𝑎 = volume flow rate of air into the engine
𝜂𝑣 = = 𝑚𝑎 = mass flow rate of air into the engine
𝑉𝐷 𝑉𝐷 𝜌𝑎 = density of air evaluated at atmospheric condition outside the engine
𝑃
= 𝑅 0𝑇
𝑎 0

16. Engine displacement , VE :

𝑉𝐸 = 𝐿𝐴𝑐 where: L = length of stroke (pistons displacement from TDC to BDC)
𝜋
A = engine bore area = 4 𝐷2
Unit: 𝑐𝑚3 , 𝑖𝑛3 , etc. c = no. of cylinders of an engine (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.)

17. Average piston speed, S:

where:
𝑆 = 2𝐿𝑛 𝐿 = length of stroke
𝑛 = engine rpm or the rotational speed of the crankshaft
𝑆 = 15 to 50 ft/sec (average piston speed for all engines)
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
18. Indicated Power, IP:
– the power developed inside the engine cylinder as
obtained from the pressure in the cylinder.

where:
𝐼𝑃 = 𝑖𝑀𝐸𝑃 𝑥 𝑉𝐷 𝐴𝑐 = area of the indicator card
𝑘 = spring scale
𝐴𝑐 × 𝑘 𝑙𝑐 = length of the card
𝑖𝑀𝐸𝑃 =
𝑙𝑐
Note: Other notation used for indicated mean effective
pressure is Pmi

Engine Indicator – the device used to measure the actual net work
done by the system to complete the cycle of events.
Indicator Card – a pictured record of the variation of pressure and
volume of the working substance in a cylinder as the piston
reciprocates.
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
19. Brake Power, BP:
– the power transmitted to the engine drive shaft as part of the indicated power developed in the
engine cylinder.
where:
𝐵𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑇𝑛 𝑇 = torque developed in the crankshaft
𝑛 = rotational speed
𝐹 = resisting force on the brake
𝐵𝑃 = 𝑏𝑀𝐸𝑃 × 𝑉𝐷
𝑟 = radius of shaft
𝑊𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑒 = tare weight (actual weight of the brake)
𝑇 =𝐹×𝑟 𝑊 = weight of the counter load
= 𝐹 − 𝑊𝑇𝑎𝑟𝑒 × 𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝐿 = length of the lever arm
𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = reading of the spring balance
= 𝑊 − 𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 × 𝑅
𝑅 = radius of the brake drum / brake wheel
Dynamometers – instruments used to
measure torque and brake power.
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
20. Friction Power, Thermal & Engine Efficiency, Specific Fuel Consumption, Heat Rate:
𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝐼 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒

21. Air-Fuel Ratio, A:F:

𝐴: 𝐹 = 18 𝑡𝑜 70 typical range

22. Distribution of heat energy in a typical diesel engine at full load:

Heat in
fuel, %
Brake work 33
Friction 9
Heating of jacket water 27
Heat in exhaust gases 28
Radiation, etc. 3
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
23. Effects of Altitude on Diesel Engine Performance:
DEMA (Diesel Engine Manufacturer’s Association) DERATING FORMULA:

a) Subtract 2% from the rated power for every change of altitude of 1000
feet above 1500 feet for supercharged or turbocharged engines.
where:
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 − 1500 𝑓𝑡. 𝐵𝑃𝑜 = observed brake power at a given
𝐵𝑃𝑜 = 𝐵𝑃𝑠 1 − 0.02
1000 𝑓𝑡. elevation
𝐵𝑃𝑠 = brake power at standard location
b) Subtract 3% from the rated power for every change of altitude of 1000 𝑇𝑜 = observed temperature at a given
feet above 1500 feet for naturally aspirated diesel engines (no elevation
supercharging or turbo-charging) 𝑇𝑠 = SAE standard temperature, = 59oF
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 − 1500 𝑓𝑡. 𝑃𝑜 = observed pressure at a given
𝐵𝑃𝑜 = 𝐵𝑃𝑠 1 − 0.03
1000 𝑓𝑡. elevation
𝑃𝑠 = SAE standard pressure = 14.7 psi
Analysis of the Diesel Cycle:
24. Effects of Altitude on Diesel Engine Performance:
SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) DERATING FORMULA: (applicable where the
change of temperature and pressure considered due to a given altitude)

For diesel engines:

0.7 where:
𝑃𝑜 𝑇𝑠
𝐵𝑃𝑜 = 𝐵𝑃𝑠 𝐵𝑃𝑜 = observed brake power at a given elevation
𝑃𝑠 𝑇𝑜 𝐵𝑃𝑠 = brake power at standard location
𝑇𝑜 = observed temperature at a given elevation
𝑇𝑠 = SAE standard temperature, = 59oF
𝑃𝑜 = observed pressure at a given elevation
𝑃𝑠 = SAE standard pressure = 14.7 psi
EXAMPLES

1. The cylinder diameter and stroke of an 8-cylinder, single-acting, 4-

stroke diesel engine is 750 mm and 1125 mm respectively. The
indicated mean effective pressure in the cylinder is 586 kPa when the
engine is running at 110 rpm. Calculate the brake power if the
mechanical efficiency is 86%.

2. A diesel cycle has an overall value of Cv = 0.870 kJ/kg-K, compression

ratio of 15 and expansion ratio of 7. Calculate the ideal thermal
efficiency of the cycle.

3. A diesel engine is operating a 4-s cycle has a compression ratio of

15, cut-off ratio of 5 with k = 1.33. If it has a heat rate of 12,000
Btu/Bhp-hr, find:
a. cycle efficiency
b. brake thermal efficiency
c. brake engine efficiency
EXAMPLES

4. A 6-cylinder engine operating on a diesel cycle was tested in a

laboratory at 1500 rpm and was found that the engine torque was 0.20
kN-m with all the cylinders firing. Another test was conducted at the
same rpm but with one cylinder out and the torque recorded was 0.155
kN-m. Find the indicated power if the engine consumed 15 kg/hr of
fuel during the whole test.

5. The following data refer to a test on a four-stroke cycle oil engine:

Number of cylinders = 4 Brake torque = 167 N-m
Cylinder bore = 9 cm Fuel oil consumption = 13.5 liters/hr
Piston stroke = 13 cm Calorific value of fuel oil = 44,000 kJ/kg
Speed = 2,100 rpm Specific gravity of fuel oil = 0.82
Calculate
a) the brake mean effective pressure
b) the brake thermal efficiency
c) the brake specific fuel consumption in liter per kW/hr
Practice Problems

1. A Diesel cycle has an over-all value of Cv = 0.870 kJ/kg-K, compression ratio

of 15, and expansion ratio of 7. Calculate the ideal thermal efficiency of
the cycle.
Ans. 52.74%

2. The cylinder diameter of a large 4-stroke CI engine is 29 ½ inch and has a

maximum piston travel of 1.5D. The engine is an inline-8 single-acting type.
The piston speed developed by the combustion is 811 ¼ fpm at cylinder
pressure of 85 psi. Find the brake horsepower if the mechanical efficiency is
85%.
Ans. 2464 HP

3. A supercharged 6-cylinder, 4-stroke Diesel engine has a compression of 15.

The piston size is 4 1/8 inch and has a maximum travel of 5 inch. When it is
tested on a dynamometer using a 21-inch arm at 2500 rpm, the scale reads 180
lbf. The fuel consumed during the 6-min test is 2.86 kg of fuel. Fuel used
has a heating value of 19,701 Btu per pound mass. The air is metered during
the test at the rate of 24 lbm/min. Determine the brake thermal efficiency.
Ans. 30.70%
Practice Problems

4. A 4-stroke 394 mm bore and 534 mm stroke single acting Diesel engine with 4-
cylinders is guaranteed to deliver 350 Bhp at 300 rpm. The engine consumed
66.8 kg/hr of fuel with a heating value of 44,251 kJ/kg. Calculate the
indicated mean effective pressure in kPa if the mechanical efficiency is 89%.
Ans. 450.6 kPa

5. A single-acting, four-stroke cycle Diesel engine develops indicated power of

30 kW at 200 RPM The mean effective pressure is 700 kPa, compression ratio is
14, fuel is cut-off at 6% of the stroke, k = 1.4 for air, calorific value of
fuel is 43,000 kJ/kg, relative efficiency is 58%. Calculate a) the cylinder
diameter if stroke to bore ratio is 1.25, b) the air-standard efficiency, c)
the indicated thermal efficiency, d) the fuel consumption is litres per hour,
and e) the fuel consumption in litre per kW-hour based on indicated power.
Take specific gravity of fuel as 0.8.
Ans. a)29.7cm; b)60.45%; c)35.06%; d) 8.95 li/hr; e) 0.2983 li/kW-hr