Internal Combustion Engine

Prem Kumar
Assistant Professor
Department Of Mechanical Engineering
Government Engineering College Samastipur
 Module-II
❑Engine performance test: purpose and types

❑Measurement of Power

❑Engine System & Performance Parameters Evaluation.

 Engine Performance Test: Purpose and Types
The performance testing of Internal Combustion (IC) engines is crucial to assess the engine's efficiency, durability,
and functionality under different operating conditions. The practical engine performance parameters of interest are
power, torque, and specific fuel consumption. Power and torque depend on an engine's displaced volume. Here's an
overview of the purpose and types of engine performance tests for IC engines:
❑Purpose of Engine Performance Testing:
1) Brake Specific Fuel Consumptions (BSFC): BSFC stands for Brake Specific Fuel Consumption and is typically
expressed in units of grams of fuel per kilowatt-hour (g/kWh). It tells us how efficiently an engine uses fuel to produce a
certain amount of power at the crankshaft (or brake output). The lower the BSFC, the more efficient the engine is in terms of
fuel consumption.

The BSFC can be calculated using the formula:

 Engine Performance Test: Purpose and Types
Step-by-Step Calculation of BTE
To calculate BTE, you need several related parameters. Here’s a breakdown of the steps and methods to find each one.
1. Calculate Brake Power (BP)
Brake Power is the effective power output at the engine’s crankshaft and can be determined by:

where:
N = Engine speed in revolutions per minute (RPM)
T = Torque generated by the engine, typically in Newton-meters (Nm)
Alternatively, if you have measured the brake power directly using a dynamometer, you can use the value provided by the
dynamometer.
2. Calculate Fuel Consumption Rate (ṁ)
The fuel consumption rate (ṁ) indicates the amount of fuel consumed by the engine per unit of time and is usually measured in
grams per second (g/s) or kilograms per hour (kg/h).
You can measure this directly with a flow meter.
3. Determine Fuel Energy Content (Calorific Value of Fuel)
The calorific value (or heating value) of the fuel, CV, is the amount of energy released by burning a unit mass of the fuel. This
value depends on the type of fuel used (e.g., gasoline, diesel, ethanol) and is typically measured in MJ/kg or kJ/kg. It can be
found in fuel property tables or determined experimentally.
 Engine Performance Test: Purpose and Types
Step-by-Step Calculation of BTE
To calculate BTE, you need several related parameters. Here’s a breakdown of the steps and methods to find each one.
1. Calculate Brake Power (BP)
Brake Power is the effective power output at the engine’s crankshaft and can be determined by:

where:
N = Engine speed in revolutions per minute (RPM)
T = Torque generated by the engine, typically in Newton-meters (Nm)
Alternatively, if you have measured the brake power directly using a dynamometer, you can use the value provided by the
dynamometer.
2. Calculate Fuel Consumption Rate (ṁ)
The fuel consumption rate (ṁ) indicates the amount of fuel consumed by the engine per unit of time and is usually measured in
grams per second (g/s) or kilograms per hour (kg/h).
You can measure this directly with a flow meter.
3. Determine Fuel Energy Content (Calorific Value of Fuel)
The calorific value (or heating value) of the fuel, CV, is the amount of energy released by burning a unit mass of the fuel. This
value depends on the type of fuel used (e.g., gasoline, diesel, ethanol) and is typically measured in MJ/kg or kJ/kg. It can be
found in fuel property tables or determined experimentally.
 Engine Performance Test
4. The Fuel Energy Input is the total energy input from the fuel used by the engine, calculated as:

Qin​=m˙×CV
where:
m˙= Fuel consumption rate (kg/s)
CV = Calorific value of the fuel (kJ/kg)
This represents the total chemical energy provided by the fuel per second.

5. Substitute into the BTE Formula

Once you have all the parameters, you can calculate Brake Thermal Efficiency as:
 Engine System and Performance Parameters
The evaluation of engine performance requires a thorough analysis of various system parameters. These
parameters are essential for understanding how an engine operates under different conditions, identifying
inefficiencies, and optimizing performance.
Fuel System
The fuel system plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency and power output of an engine. Key parameters include:
1.Fuel Injection Timing and Quantity
1. Proper timing ensures that fuel is injected into the combustion chamber at the right moment to maximize power and
minimize emissions.
2. The quantity of fuel injected influences the air-fuel ratio, directly affecting combustion efficiency.
2.Fuel Pressure and Flow Rate
1. Fuel pressure must be consistent to ensure uniform atomization and mixing with air.
2. Flow rate determines the availability of fuel for combustion, which is critical for maintaining power output.
3.Fuel Quality and Additives
1. High-quality fuel with appropriate octane or cetane ratings minimizes knocking and improves combustion.
2. Additives can enhance fuel properties by reducing deposits, improving lubrication, or increasing cetane/octane ratings.
 Engine System and Performance Parameters
4. Ignition System
The ignition system initiates combustion in engines, and its performance directly impacts efficiency and emissions.
❖ Spark Plug Performance
❖ Spark plugs must provide a consistent spark at the right intensity to ignite the air-fuel mixture.
❖ Worn or fouled spark plugs can lead to misfires, reduced power, and higher emissions.
❖ Ignition Timing
❖ Advanced or retarded ignition timing can significantly affect power output and thermal efficiency.
❖ Optimal timing reduces detonation risk and ensures complete combustion.
5. Cooling System
The cooling system prevents engine overheating, ensuring reliability and longevity.
❖ Coolant Temperature and Flow Rate
❖ Coolant must maintain an optimal temperature range to prevent overheating or overcooling.
❖ The flow rate ensures uniform heat dissipation across the engine components.
❖ Radiator Efficiency
❖ A well-functioning radiator efficiently dissipates heat from the coolant into the atmosphere.
❖ Any clogging or reduced efficiency can lead to overheating and damage.
 Engine System and Performance Parameters
6. Lubrication System
The lubrication system minimizes friction and wear, ensuring smooth engine operation.
❖ Oil Pressure and Flow Rate
❖ Adequate oil pressure ensures proper lubrication of engine components.
❖ The flow rate determines how well the oil can reach all critical areas to reduce wear.
❖ Oil Quality and Viscosity
❖ High-quality oil with proper viscosity reduces friction and ensures stability at varying temperatures.
❖ Contaminated or degraded oil can lead to increased wear and reduced engine efficiency.
 Variables Affecting the Performance Characteristics of Spark
Ignition (SI) Engines
The performance characteristics of spark ignition (SI) engines, such as power output, thermal efficiency, fuel consumption, and
emissions, are influenced by a range of variables. These variables can be broadly categorized into design, operational, and
environmental factors.
1. Air-Fuel Ratio (AFR): The air-fuel ratio is the proportion of air to fuel in the
❑ combustion mixture. It significantly impacts combustion efficiency,
❑ power output, and emissions.
❖ Stoichiometric AFR: At a ratio of approximately 14.7:1 for gasoline,
combustion is optimal for emission control.
❖ Rich Mixture: More fuel than air results in higher power output but increases fuel
consumption and emissions.
❖ Lean Mixture: More air than fuel improves fuel efficiency but may lead to misfiring and higher NOx emissions.

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 Engine System and Performance Parameters
2. Ignition Timing: Ignition timing determines when the spark plug fires relative to the piston position in the cylinder.
. ❖ Advanced Timing: The spark occurs earlier, leading to higher efficiency and power, but excessive advance can cause
knocking.
❖ Retarded Timing: The spark occurs later, reducing knocking but also decreasing power and efficiency.
3. Compression Ratio: The compression ratio is the ratio of the cylinder volume before and after compression.
❖ Higher Compression Ratio: Improves thermal efficiency and power output but may lead to knocking if the fuel's octane
rating is insufficient.
❖ Lower Compression Ratio: Reduces the risk of knocking but sacrifices efficiency.
4. Engine Speed (RPM): Engine speed directly influences power and torque.
❖ Higher RPM: Increases power output but may reduce volumetric efficiency due to incomplete air-fuel mixture filling.
❖ Lower RPM: Promotes better combustion stability and fuel efficiency but limits power.
Engine System and Performance Parameters
5. Fuel Properties
The characteristics of the fuel used play a critical role:
•Octane Rating: Higher octane fuels resist knocking, enabling higher compression ratios.
•Energy Content: Fuels with higher energy density provide more power per unit volume.
•Volatility: Affects evaporation and mixing, influencing combustion efficiency.
6. Intake Air Conditions
The quality and quantity of intake air impact the engine's performance:
•Air Temperature: Cooler air increases air density, enhancing power output.
•Air Pressure: Higher pressure improves volumetric efficiency.
•Humidity: High humidity can reduce the effective oxygen content, slightly lowering power.
7. Throttle Position
The throttle position controls the air-fuel mixture entering the engine:
•Wide Open Throttle (WOT): Allows maximum air-fuel intake, resulting in higher power.
Engine System and Performance Parameters
. 8. Engine Load
Engine load refers to the resistance the engine must overcome to perform work:

•High Load: Increases fuel consumption and exhaust emissions but generates higher power.

•Low Load: Reduces power output and fuel consumption but can lead to incomplete combustion.
Engine System and Performance Parameters
Engine System and Performance Parameters
 Engine System and Performance Parameters
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