Assignment 5: Chapter 5 – Internal Combustion Engine

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1 Explain meaning of internal combustion engine and explain its working principle.

An internal combustion engine (IC engine) is a heat engine where fuel combustion occurs inside a combustion chamber, producing high-pressure gases that
move a piston or turbine.

Working Principle:
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● The engine follows the Otto cycle (for petrol engines) or Diesel cycle (for diesel engines).
● It consists of intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes (in four-stroke engines) or only compression and power strokes (in two-stroke
engines).
● The fuel is burned inside the cylinder, converting chemical energy into mechanical energy.

2 Define following terms: Cylinder bore, top dead center, bottom dead center, swept volume, compression ratio, clearance volume.

● Cylinder Bore: The inner diameter of the cylinder.

● Top Dead Center (TDC): The highest position of the piston in the cylinder.
● Bottom Dead Center (BDC): The lowest position of the piston in the cylinder. 3
● Swept Volume: The volume displaced by the piston in one stroke.
● Compression Ratio: The ratio of total cylinder volume to clearance volume.
● Clearance Volume: The volume remaining in the cylinder when the piston is at TDC.

3 Give list of main parts of internal combustion engine.

 Cylinder
 Piston
 Connecting Rod
 Crankshaft
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 Camshaft
 Valves
 Spark Plug (for petrol engine) / Fuel Injector (for diesel engine)
 Cooling System
 Lubrication System

4 Classify internal combustion engines.

 Based on Fuel Type: Petrol, Diesel, Gas engines.
 Based on Number of Strokes: Two-stroke, Four-stroke.
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 Based on Ignition: Spark Ignition (SI) and Compression Ignition (CI).
 Based on Cooling System: Air-cooled, Water-cooled.
 Based on Cylinder Arrangement: Inline, V-type, Radial.

5 Write about the working of four stroke petrol engine with neat sketch. 4
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The four-stroke petrol engine operates on the Otto cycle, consisting of four sequential strokes (piston movements) to complete one cycle. Here’s a brief
explanation of each stroke:

1. Suction Stroke:
o The piston moves from Top Dead Center (TDC) to Bottom Dead Center (BDC).
o The suction valve opens, allowing a fresh air-fuel mixture to enter the piston-cylinder assembly.
o The piston’s downward motion creates a vacuum, drawing the mixture in.
2. Compression Stroke:
o The piston moves from BDC to TDC, compressing the air-fuel mixture.
o Both valves remain closed during this stroke, increasing the temperature and pressure of the mixture.
o At TDC, the spark plug ignites the compressed mixture, causing combustion.
3. Power Stroke:
o The piston moves from TDC to BDC due to the force generated by combustion.
o The expanding gases push the piston down, converting heat energy into mechanical energy.
o This power is transmitted to the crankshaft, generating the engine's output.
4. Exhaust Stroke:
o The piston moves from BDC to TDC, expelling exhaust gases through the open exhaust valve.
o The piston’s upward motion forces the gases out, and the exhaust valve closes at TDC.
o The cycle repeats with the opening of the suction valve for the next intake.

This process is powered by the crankshaft and regulated by the camshaft, which operates the valves at half the speed of the crankshaft.

6 Write about the working of two stroke petrol engine with neat sketch. 4
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In a two-stroke engine, the piston divides the engine into two parts: the upper part (combustion chamber) and the lower part (crankcase). The engine completes its
cycle in two strokes, as opposed to the four strokes in a four-stroke engine.

1. At BDC (Bottom Dead Center):

● The piston is at the lowest point, and the fresh air-fuel mixture is trapped in the lower crankcase at high pressure.
● The exhaust and transfer ports are open.
● The fresh charge entering the upper part helps to push out the exhaust gases, a process called scavenging.
2. Piston Movement from BDC to TDC (Top Dead Center):
● As the piston moves upward, it first covers the transfer port and then the exhaust port, starting to compress the fresh charge in the combustion
chamber.
● The lower crankcase draws in a new fresh charge as a partial vacuum is created.
3. At TDC:
● Spark is created by the spark plug, igniting the compressed air-fuel mixture.
● Combustion occurs, increasing pressure and temperature in the combustion chamber.
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4. Power Stroke (TDC to BDC):
● The combustion gases push the piston downward, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy.
● The exhaust and transfer ports open as the piston moves down, with the exhaust gases expelled and the fresh charge being compressed in the
crankcase.

The cycle repeats as the piston moves between TDC and BDC, completing the process of power generation and charge intake in each two-stroke cycle

7 Write about the working of four stroke diesel engine with neat sketch. 4
The working principle of a four-stroke diesel engine follows a similar sequence to that of a four-stroke petrol engine, but with key differences due to the nature of
diesel combustion. Here's how it works:

1. Suction Stroke:

● The piston moves from Top Dead Center (TDC) to Bottom Dead Center (BDC).
● During this stroke, only air is drawn into the piston-cylinder assembly through the open intake valve.
● The intake valve opens, and the piston’s downward movement creates a vacuum, causing air to be sucked into the cylinder.

2. Compression Stroke:

● The piston moves from BDC to TDC, compressing the air in the cylinder.
● Both the intake and exhaust valves are closed during this stroke.
● As the piston moves upward, the air inside the combustion chamber is compressed to a very high pressure, resulting in a significant increase in
temperature.
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3. Power Stroke:

● At TDC, fuel (diesel) is injected into the highly compressed hot air by the fuel injector.
● The fuel ignites due to the high temperature of the compressed air (no spark plug is used in diesel engines).
● The rapid combustion of the fuel generates high pressure and temperature, forcing the piston to move downward from TDC to BDC.
● This is the power-producing stroke, where the chemical energy of the fuel is converted into mechanical energy, which is transferred to the crankshaft.

4. Exhaust Stroke:

● The piston moves from BDC to TDC, expelling the exhaust gases formed from combustion.
● The exhaust valve is opened, and the piston’s upward movement forces the exhaust gases out through the open exhaust valve.
● The intake valve remains closed during this stroke, and the exhaust gases are pushed out until the piston reaches TDC, completing the cycle.

The process repeats for each cycle. Diesel engines operate on compression ignition, where fuel is injected into the compressed air and ignited by the heat
generated from the high compression, unlike petrol engines which rely on spark ignition.

8 Differentiate four stroke engines and two stroke engine. 3

Feature Four-Stroke Engine Two-Stroke Engine

Cycle Duration Completes a cycle in four strokes (intake, compression, power, Completes a cycle in two strokes (combustion and exhaust)

exhaust)
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Piston Movement Two full movements (up and down) for each cycle One full movement (up and down) completes the cycle

Power Output Power is delivered every two strokes of the piston Power is delivered every single stroke of the piston

Valves Has valves (intake and exhaust) to control air-fuel intake and No valves, uses ports (exhaust and intake ports) for air-fuel intake and

exhaust gases exhaust

Lubrication Separate lubrication system, oil and fuel are not mixed Oil mixed with fuel for lubrication

Efficiency More efficient due to complete power strokes and better control of Less efficient as exhaust gases and fresh charge mix, causing some loss

combustion

Complexity More complex due to valve mechanism and extra parts like camshaft Simpler design with fewer parts (no valves, simpler lubrication)

Fuel Consumption More fuel-efficient due to better combustion control Higher fuel consumption due to incomplete combustion and mixing

Emissions Lower emissions as the exhaust gases are expelled properly in Higher emissions due to incomplete combustion and mixing of exhaust

separate strokes with fresh charge

Power-to-Weight Ratio Lower power-to-weight ratio due to additional parts like valves and Higher power-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for smaller, lighter

camshaft engines

Applications Used in automobiles, trucks, and larger machinery where efficiency Used in motorcycles, lawn mowers, chainsaws, and small vehicles where

and durability are key simplicity and light weight are important

9 Differentiate spark ignition engine and compression ignition engine. 3

Feature Spark Ignition (SI) Engine Compression Ignition (CI) Engine

Ignition Method Ignition is initiated by a spark plug. Ignition occurs due to compression (high pressure and temperature).

Fuel Type Uses petrol (gasoline) as fuel. Uses diesel as fuel.

Compression Ratio Lower compression ratio (typically 6:1 to 10:1). Higher compression ratio (typically 14:1 to 25:1).

Fuel Mixture Air and fuel are mixed before entering the combustion chamber. Air is compressed first, and fuel is injected into the compressed air.

Efficiency Lower efficiency compared to CI engines due to lower compression ratio. Higher efficiency due to higher compression ratio, leading to better

fuel economy.

Emissions Higher emissions, especially carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons Lower emissions of CO and HC, but higher levels of nitrogen oxides

(HC), due to incomplete combustion. (NOx) and particulate matter.

Power Output Lower power output per unit of engine displacement due to lower Higher power output per unit of engine displacement due to higher
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compression ratio. compression and efficient combustion.

Fuel Consumption Higher fuel consumption because of lower efficiency. Lower fuel consumption because of higher efficiency.

Design and Construction Simpler design, with a carburetor or fuel injection system and spark plugs. More complex design, with a high-compression ratio, fuel injection

system, and no spark plugs.

Starting Easier to start, even in cold weather, because of the spark plug ignition. Can be harder to start in cold weather due to high compression

requirements.

Operating Temperature Operates at lower temperatures than CI engines. Operates at higher temperatures due to higher compression and

combustion temperatures.

Noise Typically quieter in operation. Typically louder due to the high compression process.

Applications Common in cars, motorcycles, small vehicles, and light-duty applications. Common in trucks, buses, heavy-duty vehicles, and large

machinery.

10 Differentiate petrol engine and diesel ignition engine. 3

Feature Petrol Engine Diesel Engine

Fuel Type Uses petrol (gasoline) as fuel. Uses diesel as fuel.

Ignition Method Ignition is initiated by a spark plug (spark ignition). Ignition is caused by compression (compression ignition).

Compression Ratio Lower compression ratio (typically 6:1 to 10:1). Higher compression ratio (typically 14:1 to 25:1).

Fuel-Air Mixture Fuel and air are mixed before entering the cylinder. Fuel is injected directly into the compressed air.

Efficiency Lower efficiency compared to diesel engines due to lower Higher efficiency due to higher compression and better fuel economy.

compression ratio.

Power Output Lower power output per unit of engine displacement. Higher power output per unit of engine displacement due to better

thermal efficiency.

Fuel Consumption Higher fuel consumption because of lower efficiency. Lower fuel consumption due to better fuel efficiency.

Emissions Produces higher emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and Produces higher emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate

hydrocarbons (HC) due to incomplete combustion. matter, but lower CO and HC emissions.

Noise and Vibration Typically quieter and smoother operation. Typically louder and has more vibration due to the higher

compression ratio.

Lubrication Uses separate lubrication for the engine and fuel. Diesel engines also use separate lubrication, but the fuel’s higher
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lubricity helps with engine wear.

Engine Design Simpler design with a spark plug, carburetor or fuel injection system. More complex design with a high-compression ratio and fuel

injection system.

Starting Easier to start in cold weather due to spark ignition. Can be harder to start in cold weather due to the need for high

compression.

Cost Generally cheaper to buy and maintain. Typically more expensive to buy and maintain.

Applications Common in cars, motorcycles, and light-duty vehicles. Common in trucks, buses, heavy-duty vehicles, and industrial

machinery.

Durability Generally less durable under heavy-duty use. More durable and reliable for long-term, heavy-duty use.

Weight Lighter engine design due to lower compression ratios. Heavier engine design because of the need for stronger components

to withstand higher pressure.

11 Define: Mean effective pressure, indicated power, brake power, mechanical efficiency, and specific fuel consumption. 3

12 List Applications of Internal Combustion (I.C.) Engines:

1. Transportation: I.C. engines are used in cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and trains for road and rail transport.
2. Agriculture and Construction: Used in tractors, harvesters, excavators, and bulldozers for farming and construction work. 3
3. Power Generation: Diesel and petrol engines power generators for electricity in homes, industries, and backup power systems.

Basic Concepts

1. Define an Internal Combustion Engine.

2. What is the function of a piston in an IC engine?

3. Name two types of IC engines based on fuel used.

4. What is the difference between a two-stroke and a four-stroke engine?

5. Name the two types of ignition systems used in IC engines.

Parts of IC Engine

6. List the main parts of an IC engine.

7. What is the function of a crankshaft in an IC engine?

8. What is the purpose of a flywheel in an IC engine?

9. What is the function of the connecting rod?

10. What is the role of the camshaft in an IC engine?

Working and Classification

11. How does a spark ignition (SI) engine work?

12. How does a compression ignition (CI) engine work?

13. What are the four strokes in a four-stroke engine?

14. What is the function of the fuel injector in a diesel engine?

15. Define clearance volume in an IC engine.