AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH (AIUB)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

PHYSICS 2 ASSIGNMENT

Summer 2023-2024

Section: R

TITLE

From Steam to Stirling: A Comprehensive Heat Engine

Journey
SUBMITTED TO: Dr. Md. Sarwar Hossain

Submitted By:

Name ID Contribution
1. Afroza Khanom Nazah 23-55040-3 Introduction & Table of Contents

2. Mubassira Binte Rahman 24-56460-1 Types of Engines

3. MD Zawadullah Bhuiyan 24-56473-1 Advance Heat Engines,

Comparison Table of Heat Engine Types

4. Shoyebul Islam 24-57166-2 Future Trends in Heat Engine Technology

& Conclusion
5. Md. Iftekhar Hasan Ratul 24-57221-2 Figures & Conclusion

Date of Submission: 1st December 2024

Table of contents:

• Introduction
• Types of Heat Engines
• External Combustion Engines
• Internal Combustion Engines
• Advance Heat Engines
• Comparison Table of Heat Engine Types
• Future trends in Heat Engine Technology
• Conclusion
• Reference
Introduction:
Explore the fascinating journey of engine innovation and its impact on our world.
From the efficient Stirling engine to the historical legacy of steam power, discover
how these technologies have shaped industries and energy production. Dive into
the comparison of internal combustion engines and learn about the environmental
considerations surrounding gas turbines. Join us as we unravel the story of these
engines and their ongoing role in sustainable energy solutions.

Types of Heat Engines:

Heat engines are broadly classified into two main categories:

 External Combustion Engines (ECE)
 Internal Combustion Engines (ICE).
These categories encompass a variety of specific engine types based on their
operational methods and thermodynamic cycles.

Figure 01: ICE and ECE

1. External Combustion Engines (ECE):

In external combustion engines, fuel combustion occurs outside the working

fluid's motion system. Examples include:

a. The Ingenious Stirling Engine:

 Working Principle: Operates on the Stirling cycle. A closed-loop engine
that uses an external heat source to cyclically compress and expand working
gas.
 Applications: Submarines, auxiliary power units, and some solar power
systems.
 Advantages: High efficiency, silent operation.
 Disadvantages: Requires precise engineering and has slow power
adjustment rates.

Figure 02: Stirling Engine

 b. Historical Evolution of Steam Engines:

• A Journey of Innovation: Steam engines, from 17th-century prototypes to

modern applications, revolutionized industries.

 Working Principle: Operates on the Stirling cycle. A closed-loop engine

that uses an external heat source to cyclically compress and expand working
gas.
 Applications: Submarines, auxiliary power units, and some solar power
systems.
 Advantages: High efficiency, silent operation.
 Disadvantages: Requires precise engineering and has slow power
adjustment rates.

Figure 03: Portable Steam Engines

 2. Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)

Internal combustion engines generate power by burning fuel directly within

the engine's cylinder. Key types include:

a. Spark-Ignition (SI) Engine:

 Working Principle: Operates on the Otto cycle. A spark plug ignites an air-
fuel mixture, producing an explosion that moves the piston.
 Applications: Used in most gasoline-powered vehicles.
 Advantages: High speed, lightweight, and compact design.
 Disadvantages: High emissions and reliance on high-quality fuels.

Figure 04: Spark-Ignition (SI) Engine

b. Compression-Ignition (CI) Engine:
 Working Principle: Operates on the Diesel cycle. Air is compressed to a
high temperature, and fuel is injected, causing spontaneous combustion.
 Applications: Trucks, buses, and industrial machinery.
 Advantages: Higher efficiency and better torque.
 Disadvantages: Higher noise and heavier design compared to SI engines.
 Figure 05: Compression-Ignition (CI) Engine

c. Environmental Impact Assessment of Gas Turbines:

 Working Principle: Operates on the Brayton cycle. Air is compressed,
mixed with fuel, and burned to produce high-pressure exhaust gases that
drive a turbine.
 Applications: Aircraft, power plants, and military tanks.
 Advantages: High power-to-weight ratio and efficiency at high speeds.
 Disadvantages: Expensive and less efficient low power outputs.
 Figure 06: Gas Turbine Engine

3. Advanced Heat Engines:

Recent advancements in technology have led to innovative engine designs,
including:

a. Wankel Rotary Engine:

 Working Principle: Uses a rotary design to
convert pressure into rotational motion
without reciprocating parts.
 Applications: Sports cars and small
aircraft.
 Advantages: Compact size, fewer moving parts.
 Disadvantages: Sealing issues and lower fuel efficiency.
Figure 07: Wankel Rotary Engine

b. Jet Engine:
 Working Principle: Operates on the principle of Newton's Third Law,
expelling high-speed exhaust to generate thrust.
 Applications: Aircraft propulsion and missiles.
 Advantages: Extremely high speed and
performance.
 Disadvantages: High operational cost and
maintenance.
Figure 08: Jet Engine

c. Thermoelectric Generator:
 Working Principle: Converts heat directly into electricity using the
Seebeck effect.
 Applications: Spacecraft, remote sensors,
and industrial waste heat recovery.
 Advantages: No moving parts, silent
operation.
  Disadvantages: Low efficiency and high cost.

Figure 09: Thermoelectric Generator

Comparison Table of Heat Engine Types:

Engine Type Cycle Efficiency Applications Key

Limitation
Steam Engine Rankine Moderate Trains, ships Bulky and
Cycle slow response
Stirling Engine Stirling High Submarines, Complex
Cycle solar power design
Spark-Ignition Otto Moderate Gasoline High
Engine Cycle vehicles emissions
Compression Diesel High Trucks, Noisy and
Ignition Cycle machinery heavy design
Gas Turbine Brayton High Aircraft, power Expensive
Engine Cycle plants
Wankel Engine None Low Sports cars, Sealing issues
(Rotary) small planes
Jet Engine Brayton High Aircraft Expensive and
Cycle propulsion maintenance-
heavy
Future Trends in Heat Engine Technology:

• Advanced Materials for Efficiency: By withstanding greater temperatures

and pressures, research aims to increase the efficiency of materials used in
heat engines, such as ceramics and alloys.

• Hybrid Systems Integration: To maximize efficiency and make efficient

use of various energy sources, heat engines are combining energy storage
and electric generators to produce hybrid systems.

• Synergy between Renewable Energy Sources and Heat Engines:

Reliability and sustainability are enhanced when heat engines are used with
renewable energy sources like solar and geothermal energy.

• AI and sophisticated Controls: By adjusting in real-time to maximize

efficiency and reduce environmental effect, the integration of AI and
sophisticated control systems improves heat engine operations.

• Small-Scale and Distributed Solutions: In line with the trend of

decentralized energy generation for greater resilience and efficiency, there is
a move towards smaller, distributed heat engines.

Figure 10: Diagram of a Carnot cycle.

Conclusion:

Heat engines have revolutionized the way energy is utilized, enabling significant
advancements in transportation, industry, and power generation. While traditional
engines dominate many sectors, innovative designs are shaping the future of energy
efficiency and sustainability.
From the ingenious efficiency of the Stirling engine to the transformative power of
steam and the ongoing development of gas turbines, our journey through the world
of engine innovation highlights their profound impact on industries, energy
production, and even society's development. While challenges like emissions from
gas turbines remain, the future holds promise with advancements in materials,
hybrid systems, and integration with renewable sources. As we embrace sustainable
solutions, the evolution of heat engine technology continues, aiming for cleaner,
more efficient energy generation, adapting to emerging needs, and shaping a future
powered by innovation and responsibility.

Reference:
1. Moran, M. J., & Shapiro, H. N. Fundamentals of Engineering
Thermodynamics.
2. Cengel, Y. A., & Boles, M. A. Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine#
www.linkedin.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?
si=GvEyqRxcn9NPyHnT&v=hvfN_UGjCn0
&feature=youtu.be https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_engine
Fundamentals of Heat Engines
(Author(s):Jamil Ghojel PhD)