1.

INTRODUCTION

Diesel engines are commonly used in heavy duty road transport vehicles. Diesel engines can be
identified as compression ignition engines as well. Reason is that not like spark-ignition engines,
diesel engines use high compression ratios to ignite the fuel. In simple there are no spark plugs in
diesel engines. Performance of a diesel engine depends on various factors. We conduct this practical
to experimentally calculate the performance indices of a CI engine.

2. OBJECTIVES
• Understanding the operation of a Compression Ignition (CI) Internal Combustion (IC) engine.
• To familiarize with calculating the key engine parameters i.e., brake power, indicated power,
thermal efficiency, volumetric efficiency, mean effective pressure, specific fuel consumption and
swept volume.

3. THEORY

In this practical we mainly study about the following key engine parameters of a diesel engine.

• Indicated power
This is the power generated inside the cylinder of an engine in a complete one cycle
without any losses. This is always more than the brake power. It is, in essence, the amount
of power that can be extracted from the expanding gases produced by the burning of fuel
inside the cylinder while ignoring frictional losses, mechanical losses, and losses caused
by heat and enthalpy. Which means that this is the greatest theoretical and practical power
generated within the cylinder, never quite reaching the crankshaft. Under different
circumstances, an engine's indicated power can change. Indicator diagrams are thus taken
at a specific frequency or RPM for an engine or specific cylinder.
• Brake power
This is the actual power that can be taken out from the crank shaft for useful work. This
is obtained after reducing frictional losses and other losses in the engine. Or in other term
frictional power can be obtained by the difference of indicated power and brake power.
• Thermal efficiency
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒
𝜂𝑡ℎ = × 100%
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒
Normally a diesel cycle engine has a higher thermal efficiency compared to an otto cycle
engine. In general, a diesel engine can obtain 30%-35% thermal efficiency. About 65%-
70% of energy is dissipated as heat.
• Volumetric efficiency
The combustion process in a thermal engine depends on the air-fuel mixture inside the
cylinder. The combustion chamber may burn more fuel when there is more available air,
which increases engine torque and power. Air has inertia because it has mass. The
throttle, intake manifold, and valves are also serving as obstructions to the flow of air into
the cylinders. The engine's ability to saturate the available geometric volume of the
engine with air is what we refer to as its volumetric efficiency. It can be thought of as a
ratio between the geometric volume of the cylinder and the actual volume of air drawn
through it (theoretical).
• Mean effective pressure
Mean effective pressure is the average pressure acting on a cylinder during a one
complete cycle.
• Specific fuel consumption
The specific fuel consumption of an engine is the rate of fuel burnt to produce a unit of
thrust.
• Swept volume
One cylinder's displacement is measured by swept volume. Volume between the top dead
centre (TDC) and bottom dead centre is what it is (BDC). The piston "sweeps" the entire
volume as it moves from top to bottom. Either cubic inches or cubic centimetres can be
used to express this measurement.
4. PROCEDURE

• Fully open the inlet water supply valve and slightly open the outlet valve slightly of the
dynamometer.
• Make sure all valves in the piping between the source of water supply and the dynamometer inlet
are fully open.
• The engine may now be started
• Loads may be regulated by opening the sluice gates by means of the hand wheel and
simultaneously operating the engine throttle, until the desired load and speed are obtained.
• Adjust the outlet valve to pass sufficient water to keep the temperature at a reasonable figure.
• A hand wheel is provided on top of the balance frame to adjust the height of the balance arm.
Make sure that this wheel is always set to the horizontal position when taking brake horse power
(BHP) readings.
5. OBERVATIONS
6. CALCULATION

The brake power (BP) in kW is given by,

𝑊.𝑁
• 𝐵𝑃 = 𝐾

Where; 𝐾 = 4500 (a constant), W is the load in lbs and N is the speed in rpm.

Friction power (FP) or frictional losses can be obtained from the fuel consumption vs BP graph.
Hence indicated power (IP) can be determined from the following equation.

• 𝐼. 𝑃 = 𝐵. 𝑃 + 𝐹. 𝑃

Specific fuel consumption (SFC) and the brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) can be calculated
from the following expressions,
𝐹𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 3600𝑘𝑔
• 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝑆𝐹𝐶) = ×
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑊ℎ
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
• 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 (𝐵𝑀𝐸𝑃) = 𝜋 𝑁 4
( ×𝐷 2 ×𝐿× × )
4 2 60

Where, D is the bore diameter (=98.4 mm), L is the stroke (=127.0 mm) and N is the tested engine
rpm.
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑑
• 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
4.193 𝑇
• 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑑 = 35.22 × 𝑑 2 × √ℎ × 𝐻 𝑚3 ⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝜋 𝑁
• 𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 4 × 4 𝐷2 × 𝐿 × 2 𝑚3 ⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛

Where, d is the orifice diameter of the intake air vessel (=2.05 inches), h is the Manometer water
head in inches of water, T is the temperature at the orifice in intake air vessel, H is the atmospheric
air pressure in inches of Hg.
𝐵.𝑃
• 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝐼.𝑃
• 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 1𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
𝐵.𝑃
• 𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙

Sample calculation for 1000rpm and 15lbs: -

𝑊.𝑁
1. 𝐵𝑃 = (𝑘𝑊)
𝐾

15 𝑙𝑏𝑠. 1000𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝐵𝑃 = = 3.33 𝑘𝑊
4500
𝐹𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝑚3 )
2. 𝐹𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒(𝑠)
−6
50 × 10
= × 0.88 × 103
85.4
= 0.000515 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑠
𝐹𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 3600𝑘𝑔
3. 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝑆𝐹𝐶) = ×
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑊ℎ
 0.000515
= × 3600
3.33
= 0.65 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑘𝑊ℎ
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
4. 𝐵. 𝑀. 𝐸. 𝑃 = 𝜋 𝑁 4
( ×𝐷 2 ×𝐿× × )
4 2 60
3.33
=
0.03217
= 103.59 𝑘𝑝𝑎

4.193 𝑇
5. 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑑 = 35.22 × 𝑑 2 × √ℎ × 𝐻 𝑚3 ⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛

4.193 32
= × 2.052 × √1.358 × 𝑚3 ⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛
35.22 30.0866
= 0.6013 𝑚3 ⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝜋 2 𝑁
𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 4× 𝐷 × 𝐿 × 𝑚3 ⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛
4 2
𝜋 1000 3
= 4 × (0.0984)2 × 0.127 × 𝑚 ⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛
4 2
= 1.9306 𝑚3 ⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑑
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
0.6013
=
1.9306
= 0.3114

6. 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 𝐹𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 × 𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝. 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥ℎ𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑔𝑎𝑠 × 𝐶𝑝

= 0.000515 × 362 × 1.08

= 0.201 𝑘𝑊
𝐵.𝑃
7. 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙
3.33 𝑘𝑊
=
0.201 𝑘𝑊
= 16.57
 7. RESULTS

Data table for Fuel Consumption Vs Brake Power

Engine speed (rpm) Brake Power (kW) Fuel Consumption (x10-5kg/s)

0 51.5
3.33 60.5
1000
6.67 73.6
10.00 84.3
0 65.7
1300 4.33 78.6
8.67 97.8
13.00 112.8
0. 78.6
5.00 97.8
1500
10.00 118.9
15.00 133.3

Fuel Consumption Vs Brake Power

140.0

120.0

100.0
Fuel Consumption (x10-5kg/s)

80.0

60.0

40.0

20.0

0.0
0.00 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00 12.00 14.00 16.00
Brake Power (kW)
 Data table for Specific Fuel Consumption Vs Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP)

Engine speed (rpm) B.M.E. P (kPa) S.F.C (kg/kWh)

0 -
103.59 0.65
1000
207.19 0.40
310.78 0.30
0 -
1300 103.59 0.65
207.19 0.41
310.78 0.31
0 -
103.59 0.70
1500
207.19 0.43
310.78 0.32

Specific Fuel Consumption Vs

Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP)
0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50
S.F.C (kg/kWh)

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

0.00
0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00 350.00
B.M.E.P (kPa)
 Data table for Volumetric Efficiency Vs rpm for different loads

Engine Load (lbs) Engine Speed (rpm) Volumetric Efficiency

(x 10-3)
1000 320
0 1300 248
1500 248
1000 311
15 1300 248
1500 248
1000 309
30 1300 248
1500 248
1000 307
45 1300 248
1500 248

Volumetric Efficiency Vs rpm for different loads

340

320

300
Volumetric Efficiency (x 10-3)

280

260

240

220

200
1000 1050 1100 1150 1200 1250 1300 1350 1400 1450 1500
Engine Speed (rpm)
8. DISCUSSION

1. Applications of CI engines.
• Locomotives
• Large ships
• Farm equipment
• Automobiles
• Power generators
• Commercial trucks
• Power generation

2. Characteristic comparison of CI engines and SI engines.

CI Engines SI engines
Fuel type Diesel Petrol
Thermodynamic Cycle Diesel Cycle Otto Cycle
Constant parameter in Constant pressure heat Constant volume heat addition
thermodynamic cycle addition and rejection. and rejection.
Compression Ratio Low compression ratios Higher compression ratios
Intake Only air Air + Fuel
Thermal Efficiency Less thermal efficiency High thermal efficiency
Engine speed Low High
Pressure generated High pressure is generated Low pressure is generated after
after combustion. combustion.
Weight of the engine Lighter Heavier

3. Engine dynamometer and types of engine dynamometers.

An internal combustion engine that has been taken out of a car, ship, generator, or any other
accessory that employs one is tested using an engine dynamometer. Prior to reinstalling the
engine in the apparatus, the performance is to be confirmed. Engine dynamometers can help
with troubleshooting by identifying intermittent performance and sensor failures, as well as
when an engine is overheated. Prior to placing new construction, reconstruction, and repairs
into service, they test their quality in a controlled setting.

Types of engine dynamometers.

• AC motor dynamometers: -

These dynamometers use regenerative power electronics that employ varying frequencies
to generate a load and send power back to the electrical grid. Where allowed, the utility
may reimburse the owner of an AC dyno for the power that was returned. These dynos
provide quick transient testing and can simulate the forces experienced by an engine
while a car rolls downhill or regulate the transient test patterns used in emissions test
cycles. Engine dynos with a power range of 10 HP to 5,000 HP and chassis dynos that
need transient or road load control employ AC regenerative technology.
 • Water Brake dynamometers: -

With the use of water momentum transfer and the absorbed power heating the water, a
load is created on the engine or vehicle being evaluated. These dynamometers are perfect
for higher power engine dynamometers, with options ranging from 350 to 10,000 HP.
For large internal combustion engines and electric motors, these dynos are the most
economical technology. They employ a hydraulic brake that can turn engine energy into
heat that is transferred to the water flowing through the dyno.

• Eddy current (EC) dynamometers: -

These engine dynos load an engine by use of an electromagnetic brake. A rotating disc
develops a magnetic field as a result of the EC, which produces a load. Heat is generated
by the rotating disc and is then released into the atmosphere or into water. The power test
uses engine dynamometers with a capacity of up to 250 HP and EC brakes for absorption
in less demanding applications. For testing vehicles, EC brakes are also employed on a
variety of chassis dynamometers. The fundamental benefit of water-cooled EC engine
dynos is their accurate and quick load regulation.

4. Components of heat balance equation.

𝑄𝑖𝑛 + 𝑊𝑖𝑛 = 𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑡 + 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 + 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠

𝑄𝑖𝑛 − Heat generated inside the cylinder of an engine.

𝑊𝑖𝑛 − Mechanical power input from compression

𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 − Heat dissipated with exhaust gas + Heat absorbed by the coolant

𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑡 − Useful energy that can be actually used in the last.

5. Importance of calculating above performance indices of the engine.

Mechanical efficiency is an indicator which gives an idea how much of energy that can be utilized
effectively by an engine. When we experimentally find the mechanical efficiency of an engine,
we can check whether the engine performance is in profitable region or not and also if the
mechanical efficiency is significantly low, we can make some improvements to the engine.
Specific fuel consumption indicates how much fuel is consumed to produce brake power. When
this value is significantly high means we have to work on that if the application of engine should
be profitable or rather economical. But sometimes depending on the application of engine this
specific fuel consumption values can be smaller values.
Overall efficiency indicates how much work can be used for the specific application by the
chemical energy generated inside the engine. If this value is too low means there are significant
heat losses to the environment or to the coolant. Engineers always have to get the maximum
overall efficiency from engines.
 6. Methods to minimize the errors of the experiment.

• After changing engine input parameters, engine should be kept for some time to settle
down for those adjustment before taking readings.
• Engine load should be maintained constant when the experiment is being done.
• Maintaining a constant rpm is also important.
• When taking measurements from the manometer in air tank, it’s better to use the
horizontal indicator.

9. REFERENCES

[1] “Engine dyno,” Iqsdirectory.com. [Online]. Available:

https://www.iqsdirectory.com/articles/dynamometers/engine-dynamometer.html. [Accessed: 25-
Sep-2022].
[2] P. Mishra, “Difference between SI engine and CI engine,” Mechanical Booster, 23-Mar-2017.
[Online]. Available: https://www.mechanicalbooster.com/2017/03/difference-between-si-engine-
and-ci-engine.html. [Accessed: 25-Sep-2022].
[3] S. A. Ciatti, “Compression ignition engines – revolutionary technology that has civilized
frontiers all over the globe from the industrial revolution into the twenty-first century,” Front.
Mech. Eng., vol. 1, 2015.
[4] “What is swept volume?,” Summitracing.com. [Online]. Available:
https://help.summitracing.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5005/~/what-is-swept-volume%3F.
[Accessed: 25-Sep-2022].
[5] Wikipedia contributors, “Mean effective pressure,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17-Feb-
2022. [Online]. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mean_effective_pressure&oldid=1072410878.
[6] “Volumetric efficiency of an internal combustion engine,” X-engineer.org. [Online]. Available:
https://x-engineer.org/calculate-volumetric-efficiency/. [Accessed: 25-Sep-2022].
[7] “Thermal efficiency for diesel cycle,” Nuclear Power, 22-Apr-2017. [Online]. Available:
https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/thermodynamic-
cycles/diesel-cycle-diesel-engine/thermal-efficiency-for-diesel-cycle/. [Accessed: 25-Sep-2022].