Measured Engine Performance Research Articles

Control strategies for mode switching of a large marine two-stroke engine equipped with exhaust gas recirculation and turbocharger cut-off systems

To meet the stringent nitrogen oxides emissions regulations, the recent marine two-stroke engines are equipped with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems. Crossing the boundaries of exhaust control areas requires switching between the engine operating modes associated with the activation or deactivation the EGR system, which imposes challenges to the engine operation. This study aims to develop and numerically test effective control strategies for improving the mode switching of marine two-stroke engines with EGR systems. The investigated engine dynamic model is developed by integrating a zero-dimensional thermodynamic model developed in GT-POWER and the control model developed in MATLAB/Simulink. This model is first validated against the experimentally measured engine performance parameters, and subsequently employed to simulate the engine dynamic operation with mode switching. The simulation results are assessed to quantify the impact of several control strategies on the engine performance. The derived perrformannce parameters time variations demonstrate that the deactivation of the EGR branch and the small engine–turbocharger result in exceeding the manufacturer limits at high loads and increasing the fuel consumption. The proposed load-based control strategies, which employ load thresholds and time delays for the control of the EGR and turbocharging systems activation/deactivation, are proved effective, as the engine performance parameters are retained within their limits and fuel consumption penalties are minimised. This study provides insights for developing the control of the marine engines after-treatment systems, hence contributing towards enhancing shipping sustainability.

Impact of Using n-Octanol/Diesel Blends on the Performance and Emissions of a Direct-Injection Diesel Engine

This study evaluates the viability of n-octanol as an alternative fuel in a direct-injection diesel engine, aiming to enhance sustainability and efficiency. Experiments fueled by different blends of n-octanol with pure diesel were conducted to analyze their impacts on engine performance and emissions. The methodology involved testing each blend in a single-cylinder engine, measuring engine performance parameters such as brake torque and brake power under full-load conditions across a range of engine speeds. Comparative assessments of performance and emission characteristics at a constant engine speed were also conducted with varying loads. The results indicated that while n-octanol blends consistently improved brake thermal efficiency, they also increased brake-specific fuel consumption due to the lower energy content of n-octanol. Consequently, while all n-octanol blends reduced nitrogen oxide emissions compared to pure diesel, they also significantly decreased carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and smoke opacity, presenting a comprehensive reduction in harmful emissions. However, the benefits came with complex trade-offs: notably, higher concentrations of n-octanol led to a relative increase in nitrogen oxide emissions as the n-octanol ratio increased. The study concludes that n-octanol significantly improves engine efficiency and reduces diesel dependence, but optimizing the blend ratio is crucial to balance performance improvements with comprehensive emission reductions.

Spreadsheet-Based Car Engine Temperature And Compression Pressure Gauge

Measuring the engine's temperature and compression pressure in cars is a crucial part of engine maintenance and performance evaluation. The objective of this study is to develop an accurate and efficient spreadsheet-based measurement system for determining engine temperature and compression pressure in automobiles. For this investigation, data from car engines was collected using engine temperature thermometers and compression pressure gauges. The collected data is then fed into a spreadsheet designed specifically to assess and automatically calculate engine temperature and compression pressure. The results show how reliable and accurate the measurements made using this spreadsheet-based measurement technique are. This approach's main benefits are also its flexibility and ease of use, since users can rapidly adapt the spreadsheet to the particular needs of the engine being tested. With this technology in place, car owners or professionals who do engine maintenance can quickly detect potential engine problems, such as valve leakage or unexpected temperature increases. Therefore, to increase fuel efficiency and extend engine life, spreadsheets can be utilized as a tool for measuring engine performance. The goal of this project is to facilitate the work of auto repair shop owners by utilizing the Esp8266 microcontroller for the DS18b20 sensor and compression sensor. Even so, there are several difficulties, like a sluggish internet connection that delays uploading data to the LCD and spreadsheets that are less useful because of a bad internet connection.

An ANN-entropy-FA model for prediction and optimization of biodiesel-based engine performance

The present work incorporated full factorial experimentation for performance analysis of Nahar oil-based biodiesel in a four-stroke diesel engine. The controllable input parameters are engine revolution per minute (N), engine load (EL), and blend mixture (BM) respectively. The measured engine performance characteristics are brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and exhaust gas temperature (ET). Prediction and optimization of engine output characteristics have been computed through the ANN-entropy-FA hybrid model. In this model, a trained Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is used to compute the objective function value during optimization using the Firefly algorithm (FA). The maximum absolute percentage error of trained ANN during the prediction of output parameters is found as less than 3%. The entropy method is employed to determine the weight of output parameters in the combined objective function. ANN-FA optimization determined minimum BSFC = 0.386 kg/kW-hr, maximum BTE = 24.60%, and minimum ET = 163.24 °C with corresponding operational input parameter setting of low engine rpm (1250 rpm), medium engine load (15.20 kg), and a high percentage of blend mixture (≈25%) respectively. A significantly low absolute % error of around 1.75% during experimental validation of ANN-FA optimized output indicates the efficacy of the proposed model.

Analisis Pengaruh Bio Additive Pada Bahan Bakar Terhadap Unjuk Kerja Mesin 4 Langkah

Bioadditives are elements derived from plants that are used as additives to improve fuel quality. Citronella oil is one type of essential oil that has been studied for its potential as a fuel bio additive because of its volatility and ability to dissolve into fuel. The purpose of using this bioadditive is to increase engine performance. This research was conducted using an experimental method, some of the samples tested consisted of pertalite fuel, bioethanol then the development was carried out by adding the Bioadditive element citronella oil to the fuel with a ratio of 2,0 : 1000 ml, 3,0 : 1000 ml, and 3,5 : 1000 ml. The sample test was aimed to measure engine performance using a dynamometer. The results of this study show that the use of citronella bioadditives can improve motorcycle performance, the maximum power increases by 55% at a ratio of 2,0 : 1000 ml, and the optimum torque is achieved by 39% at a ratio of 2,0 : 1000 ml. In addition to these tests, measurement of fuel consumption is also carried out by producing a savings of 10%, using a ratio of 2,0 : 1000 ml.

Monte Carlo Predictions of Aero-Engine Performance Degradation Due to Particle Ingestion

Aero-engines, which encounter clouds of airborne particulate, experience reduced performance due to the deposition of particles on their high-pressure turbine nozzle guide vanes. The rate of this degradation depends on particle properties, engine operating state and the duration of exposure to the particle cloud, variables that are often unknown or poorly constrained, leading to uncertainty in model predictions. A novel method coupling one-dimensional gas turbine performance analysis with generalised predictions of particle deposition is developed and applied through the use of Monte Carlo simulations to better predict high-pressure turbine degradation. This enables a statistical analysis of deterioration from which mean performance losses and confidence intervals can be defined, allowing reductions in engine life and increased operational risk to be quantified. The method is demonstrated by replicating two particle cloud encounter events for the Rolls-Royce RB211-524C engine and is used to predict empirical particle properties by correlating measured engine performance data with Monte Carlo model inputs. Potential improvements in the confidence of these predictions due to more tightly constrained input and validation data are also demonstrated. Finally, the potential combination of the Monte Carlo coupled degradation model with in-service engine performance data and particle properties determined through remote or in situ sensing is outlined and its role in a digital twin to enable a predictive approach to operational capability is discussed.

Design and testing of a monopropellant thruster based on N2O decomposition in Pd/Al2O3 pellets catalytic bed

The aim of the present paper is the investigation of a monopropellant engine based on the exothermic decomposition of nitrous oxide, as a “green” substitute of the most common but highly toxic hydrazine-based systems. First, a general procedure for the design of such a system, in terms of sizing of the catalytic chamber and of the nozzle for prescribed mission requirements, is defined. This procedure is applied for the design of an 800-mN-class thruster prototype, with catalysts based on palladium as active phase on alumina pellets support. Such prototype is experimentally tested highlighting first the nitrous oxide decomposition behavior and issues related to an optimization of system thermal insulation for reducing energy losses. Finally, the measured engine performance are presented and discussed, including a comparison with the results obtained with the same system in a cold-flow operation mode, showing the gain in terms of increased specific impulse and reduced propellant consumption due to the exploitation of the thermal energy obtained from nitrous oxide decomposition.

Pengembangan Bioaditif Serai Wangi Pada Bahan Bakar Bensin Terhadap Performa Mesin Dan Emisi Gas Buang Sepeda Motor

Bio-additives are elements derived from plants that are utilized as additives to improve fuel quality. Lemongrass fragrant oil is one of the types used as bio-additives that are volatile and soluble into fuels. The purpose of using this bio-additive is to improve the performance of the machine, but the resulting emissions must be in permissible regulations. This research was conducted by experimental methods, some of the tested samples consisted of gasoline (Pertalite), then the development was done by adding the element of lemongrass aromatic bio-additive on the fuel with a ratio of 1.5:1000 ml, 2.0:1000 ml, 2.5:1000 ml, 3.0:1000 ml, and 3.5:1000 ml. The sample test was carried out to measure engine performance, exhaust emissions, using Sportdevice Dyno and Emission Tester. Also, fuel consumption testing is carried out to determine the efficiency of fuel consumption. The results of this study the use of a fragrant lemongrass bio-additive can improve the performance of the motorcycle, maximum power increased by 3.11% at a ratio of 3.0:1000 ml and optimum torque are achieved at 2.03% at a ratio of 2.0:1000 ml. Then the result of exhaust emission measurement of HC and CO elements arising from the use of lemongrass bio-additives is still environmentally friendly In addition to the testing, fuel consumption measurement is also done by generating a savings of 20.93%, mileage 69.9 Km/L ratio using a ratio of 3.5:1000 ml.

The effect of diesel fuel sulphur and vanadium on engine performance and emissions

Metallic composition of diesel particulate matter, even though a relatively small proportion of total mass, can reveal important information regarding engine conditions, fuel/lubricating oil characteristics and for health impacts. In this study, a detailed investigation into the metallic elemental composition at different particle diameter sizes has been undertaken. A bivariate statistical analysis was performed in order to investigate the correlation between the metallic element, measured engine performance and engine emission variables. Major sources of metallic elements in the emitted particles are considered in this study, including the fuel and lubricating oil compositions, engine wear emissions and metal-containing dust in the ambient air. Metallic solid ultrafine-particles (Dp < 100 nm) are strongly associated with metallic compounds derived from lubricating oil (Ca, Zn, Mg and K), while the fuel related metallic compounds and engine wear emissions are represented in the accumulation mode particle fraction (>100 nm). Calculated correlation matrices show a clear effect of engine load conditions and fuel S contents on particle number and mass emissions.

Improving Car Fuel Efficiency by Optimising Transmission Parameters

The theoretical and experimental studies of the car power unit functioning at unsteady modes have been conducted. The experimental studies have been conducted using the test stand for measuring engine performance. In addition, the measurements of the parameters of the power unit of the category N1 vehicle under natural conditions (the road tests in the modes of standardized driving cycles) have been made. The aim of the work is increasing the fuel efficiency of the vehicles under operating conditions. For this purpose, the transmission parameters have been optimised for the conditions of the vehicle driving in the standardized NEDC and WLTC driving cycles. The research results enable to give recommendations on improving both the design of the power unit and its operating modes in operation.

Combustion and emission characteristics investigation of diesel-ethanol-biodiesel blended fuels in a compression-ignition engine and benefit analysis

This study has investigated feasibility to use ethanol in a compression ignition engine by blending it with diesel fuel, called diesohol. Additionally, biodiesel, acting as a co-solvent, is mixed into diesohol to prevent phase separation. Three blended ratios including B3E5, B7E5 and B10E10 were selected to conduct fuel property analysis and the engine test. In addition, commercial diesel in Thailand (B7) was used as a referent fuel. A commercial diesel engine with common rail fuel system was used to measure engine performance, fuel consumption, exhaust gas emissions including aldehydes as well as combustion characteristics. Benefits of using the diesohol fuel in pickup truck were also investigated.The results showed that with increasing ethanol fraction, the biodiesel fraction needed to be increased to prevent phase separation. When ambient temperature was decreased the phase separation could easily occur. Engine torque and power decreased when percentage of ethanol increased. In-cylinder pressure analysis showed that pilot combustion was moderated and retarded due to higher heat of vaporization of ethanol. With ethanol fraction increasing, the blended fuels required more time to evaporate, induced to higher heat release rate due to long ignition delay. Hydrocarbon emission was increased with longer period of fuel vaporization and mixing processes while the nitrogen oxide increased with increasing of maximum heat release rate. However, the diesohol can help facilitate biofuel market management by increasing biofuel (both ethanol and biodiesel) from diesel sector. In addition, fossil fuel will be suppressed and global warming impacts will be mitigated with diesohol supported measures.

Performance and environmental impact of a turbojet engine fueled by blends of biodiesels

Depletion of conventional fuels, concerns about environmental pollution and the tightening of exhaust emission legislations are the main reasons for increasing research on alternative fuels produced from agricultural feedstock. In this study, biodiesel fuels produced from cotton and corn vegetable oils are investigated as renewable fuels for a gas turbine engine for aviation. The biodiesel fuels are defined as cotton methyl ester (CTME) and corn methyl ester. The performance characteristics and exhaust emissions of the gas turbine engine are investigated when the engine fueled with three blends of 10%(B10), 20%(B20) and 50%(B50) of biodiesel/JetA-1 by volume. The biodiesel fuels were produced using transesterification process and characterized according to ASTM biodiesel specifications. Chemical and physical properties show a real potential of using biodiesel blends as an alternative for JetA-1. The measured engine performance parameters and exhaust emissions are compared with that of pure JetA-1 over a range of throttle setting. The gas turbine engine used in this study is equipped with pressure, flow, temperature, thrust and speed sensors that connected to data acquisition system and control unit in addition to exhaust gas analyzer. The experimental results show that biodiesel fuels can be used up to blend of 50% with JetA-1 in gas turbine engines with slight enhancement in engine performance and significant improvements in exhaust emissions. The engine static thrust is increased with 2% for B50 at lower and medium engine speeds and decreased with 11% at high engine speed compared to conventional JetA-1 fuel. The thrust-specific fuel consumption for biodiesel blends is lower than that for regular JetA-1 fuel. The gas turbine engine efficiency is increased for biodiesel blends by 14% compared to JetA-1, and this is reported for CTME B50. For oxygen concentration in exhaust gases emissions, the higher the biodiesel blend, the higher the O2 concentration in the exhaust compared with JetA-1 fuel. The O2 level increased by 6% for biodiesel blend of B50 compared to JetA-1 fuel. The emissions of CO and HC emissions decreased by 5 and 37%, respectively, compared with conventional JetA-1. Additionally, the biodiesel blends achieve a higher CO2 and NOx emissions with 11 and 27%, respectively, compared to JetA-1. The sulfur dioxide SO2 decreased by 75% compared to the regular JetA-1 fuel.

Effect of asynchronous valve timing on combustion characteristic and performance of a high speed SI marine engine with five valves

Based on a high-speed spark ignition (SI) gasoline engine with five valves, a novel concept of asynchronous valves timing (AVT) and synchronous valves timing (SVT) systems has been proposed. In order to demonstrate the effect of AVT and SVT on gas exchange process, combustion process, engine performance, fuel economy and emissions, a comparative study between AVT and SVT systems are conducted by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation and experiment. Considering the disadvantages of original cam profile, the intake and exhaust cam profile are redesigned. The valve train would be able to work more steadily and reliably under the high speed movement condition after optimized. Followed experiments for the AVT and SVT schemes were performed under full load to measure engine performance and operating parameters. Finally, in order to study the in-cylinder working process, a numerical calculation was conducted by using the CFD code AVL-FIRE. Additionally, a GT-Power simulation model was set up and calibrated by experimental data to study the impact of AVT and SVT on gas exchange process and secure accurate boundary conditions for the CFD calculation. The simulation results show that AVT scheme can strengthen in-cylinder gas rotational flow, increase gas turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) at the ignition timing, which is beneficial to increase the flame propagation speed. The IVC timing can significantly affect the in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate. With late IVC, both the mass flow rate and the peak in-cylinder pressure of retarding 20°CA opening are decreased. The experimental results show that the engine torque, BSFC, CO and HC emissions of advancing 20°CA opening are better than those under retarding 20°CA opening and SVT at full load. However, NOx and CO2 emissions are worse than those of the other two schemes.

A comparative study of biodiesel engine performance optimization using enhanced hybrid PSO–GA and basic GA

Efficient optimization algorithms are critical to the development of new engine technology. In this study, experimental investigations were carried out on optimizing the performance of a four-cylinder, turbocharged, direct-injection diesel engine running with soy biodiesel. An effective hybrid particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithm (GA) method using a small population was developed and tested to optimize five operating parameters, including EGR rate, pilot timing, pilot ratio, main injection timing, and injection pressure. Based on the measured engine performance and emissions, results show that the new hybrid algorithm can significantly speed up the optimization process and achieve a superior optimum as compared to the basic GA method. The new hybrid PSO–GA method is expected to perform as an effective tool for rapid engine performance optimization.

Combustion analysis of microalgae methyl ester in a common rail direct injection diesel engine

In this study, the biodiesel properties and effects of blends of oil methyl ester petroleum diesel on a CI direct injection diesel engine is investigated. Blends were obtained from the marine dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii and waste cooking oil. The experiment was conducted using a four-cylinder, turbo-charged common rail direct injection diesel engine at four loads (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Three blends (10%, 20% and 50%) of microalgae oil methyl ester and a 20% blend of waste cooking oil methyl ester were compared to petroleum diesel. To establish suitability of the fuels for a CI engine, the effects of the three microalgae fuel blends at different engine loads were assessed by measuring engine performance, i.e. mean effective pressure (IMEP), brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), in cylinder pressure, maximum pressure rise rate, brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), heat release rate and gaseous emissions (NO, NOx, and unburned hydrocarbons (UHC)). Results were then compared to engine performance characteristics for operation with a 20% waste cooking oil/petroleum diesel blend and petroleum diesel. In addition, physical and chemical properties of the fuels were measured. Use of microalgae methyl ester reduced the instantaneous cylinder pressure and engine output torque, when compared to that of petroleum diesel, by a maximum of 4.5% at 50% blend at full throttle. The lower calorific value of the microalgae oil methyl ester blends increased the BSFC, which ultimately reduced the BTE by up to 4% at higher loads. Minor reductions of IMEP and BMEP were recorded for both the microalgae and the waste cooking oil methyl ester blends at low loads, with a maximum of 7% reduction at 75% load compared to petroleum diesel. Furthermore, compared to petroleum diesel, gaseous emissions of NO and NOx, increased for operations with biodiesel blends. At full load, NO and NOx emissions increased by 22% when 50% microalgae blends were used. Petroleum diesel and a 20% blend of waste cooking oil methyl ester had emissions of UHC that were similar, but those of microalgae oil methyl ester/petroleum diesel blends were reduced by at least 50% for all blends and engine conditions. The tested microalgae methyl esters contain some long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) (C22:5 and C22:6) not commonly found in terrestrial-crop-derived biodiesels yet all fuel properties were satisfied or were very close to the ASTM 6751-12 and EN14214 standards. Therefore, C.cohnii- derived microalgae biodiesel/petroleum blends of up to 50% are projected to meet all fuel property standards and, engine performance and emission results from this study clearly show its suitability for regular use in diesel engines.

New Design of a Low Cost Small Engine Dynamometer for Engine Testing

This paper discusses the design and development of a low cost small engine dynamometer for engine testing to measure engine performance i.e. power, torque and specific fuel consumption. The data and result were achieved by using a small hydraulic engine dynamometer with specific considerations and standard followed in order to have good engine dynamometer. Small engine was used by coupling it with the hydraulic pump that come with the control valve and pressure gauge. Control valve was set to build back pressure inside the pumping area. When the engine starts, the pressure gauge will give a reading which can be used to calculate the engine torque. By using the engine torque, engine power can be obtained by multiplying the angular speed with engine torque. Specific fuel consumption can be defined, by dividing the brake engine power with the fuel rate. From the experiment data, the brake power of the single cylinder engine showed that it is almost similar to the specification given by the manufacturer. The low cost hydraulic engine dynamometer, which is less than RM 15,000 can be used to measure an engine performance. The engine power, torque, engine speed and air fuel ratio data can be achieved from our developed engine dynamometer.

An Investigation of the Effect of 2T Oil Blend on Spark Ignition Engine Performance

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the effect of 2T oil blend on the performance of Spark Ignition (SI) engine. Three different types of 2T-oils; mineral oil, semi-synthetic oil and fully synthetic oil were tested according to blend ratio before the mixing process with fuel in the carburetor. In the experiment, a two-stroke single-cylinder engine was coupled to a 20 kW generator dynamometer to measure engine performance parameters; engine torque, engine power (B.P), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) at various engine speeds with maximum engine load. The results show correlation between engine performances and 2T-oil blended as a function of type of 2T-oils used.

Experimental on the Effects of Various Air Filter Elements on Spark Ignition Engine Performance

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the effect of air filter elements on the performance of spark ignition (SI) engine. Three different types of material; paper, cotton and foam were tested as filtering element in the air filter before the mixing process with fuel in the carburettor. In the experiment, a four-stroke single-cylinder engine was coupled to a 20 kW generator dynamometer to measure engine performance parameters; engine torque, engine power (B.P), brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) at various engine speeds with maximum engine load. The results show correlation between engine performance and the qualities of filtered air as a function of type of air filter element/material used.

Bio-Diesel from Almond Oil as an Alternative Fuel for Diesel Engines

Different fuel blends containing 10, 30 and 50% almond oil with diesel fuel were prepared and the influence of these blends on emissions and some performance parameters were inspected using a diesel engine. The blends and the diesel fuel were examined under various load conditions and the results showed that almond-blended fuels have slightly different properties than diesel fuel. Measured engine performance parameters have generally showed a slight increase in exhaust gas temperature and in brake specific fuel consumption, and a slight reduction in brake thermal efficiency. Blending of almond oil with diesel fuel reduced the engine CO and increased NOx percentages.

An Investigation of Supercharged Air Filter System on the Performance of a Spark Ignition Engine

Considering the enhancement device for air intake systems have been widely available in the market for automotive engines, in this paper, the effect of Supercharged Air Filter (SAF) system on a Spark Ignition (SI) engine were experimentally investigated. Three different types of air filter; standard, conical shape air filter and SAF were tested on a four-stroke single-cylinder engine. The engine was coupled to a 20kW generator dynamometer to measure engine performance parameters; engine torque, engine power (B.P), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) at various engine speeds with maximum engine load. The results show that the forced induction system can affect the engine performance but it will make the engines fuel consumption higher than standard system.