Agriculture Engineering for UPSC Join

Fuel System
Fuel test
Fuel- substances consumed by engine to produce energy. 1. Gravity test-
• Expressed as specific gravity or API gravity,
Quality of fuel devised by American Petroleum Institute.
• Volatility of fuel- effect on engine • Hygrometer used for testing Specific gravity
o Ease of starting the engine of oil.
o Degree of crankcase oil dilution. • Lighter fuel of lower specific gravity has
o Formation of vapour lock in fuel system higher API degree.
o Accelerating characteristics of engine • Generally fuel ranges bet 10-70 degree.
o Distribution of fuel in multicylinder engine.
141.5
𝐴𝑃𝐼 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒 =
• Calorific value of fuel- 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑎𝑡 60℉
o How much Heat is liberated by combustion − 131.5
of fuel.
o Expressed in kcal/kg. 2. Distillation test
• measure volatility of fuel.
• Ignition quality of fuel • Measure amount of oil are boiled with
o ease of burning the oil in combustion gradually increasing temp.
chamber. • Condensed vapour corresponding to each
o To measure this octane number & cetane temp collected and noted. Repeated till
number are used. evaporation creased.
o Basically in this no lapsable power stroke are
counted. 3. Vapour pressure test
• Reid vapour pressure test used to measure
Octane number- for petrol it.
• Measure of knock characteristics of fuel. • It is a measure of starting ability as well as
• Measured by referencing the percentage of lock tendencies of fuel.
precisely known octane formed by combining iso-
octane (C8H18), heptane (C7H16). 4. Sulphur test
• When it produces same knocking effect as fuel • find out corrosive sulphur content- polished
under test, called as octane number. strip of copper in fuel for 3 hr at 122 °F.
• Isooctane has excellent antiknock quality (100) compared with fresh trip.
and heptane would knock excessively (0). • Find out fee and combined suphur present-
• The higher the octane no better the fuel quality. to find this burnt in test bombs or wick lamp
• Min octane rating prescribed by GOI is 91 octane. and suphur is measured.

Cetane number- for diesel. 5. Carbon residue

• Percentage of cetane in mixture of cetane • Measuring amount of carbon residue left on
(C16H34) and alphamethyl naphthalene (C11H16) evaporating in oil under specific condition.
that produce same knocking effect as fuel under
test. 6. Colour test- indicate certain physical properties of
• The higher the cetane better it. oil.
• As per BS-III specification it is 51.
7. Gum test-
Detonation (knocking) • Evaporating samples of fuel in copper dish.
• It refers to violent noises, heard in the engine, • Residue weighed in mg/100cc of fuel.
giving a pining sound during the process of • This indicate gum-forming properties
combustion. develop upon storage, exposure to air and
• Undesirable combustion results in sudden rise in light.
pressure, loss of power and overheating.
8. Flash test
• Caused by improper combustion chamber, high
compression pressure, early ignition etc. • Temp at which distinct flash obtained when
flame is passed over container.
Pre-ignition • Imp for safety and protection measures.
• Burning of charge before piston reached the TDC.
• Occurred when charged fire too far ahead of TDC
of piston.

1
Agriculture Engineering for UPSC Join

Qualities of diesel fuel

1. High speed diesel- Lighter than LDO

2. Light diesel oil- Fuel for slow speed engine.
• Free from acid and foreign matter, dirt and
moisture.
• Able to lubricate fuel pumps and fuel injection
nozzle.
• Rated acc to cetane number.

fuel combustion- takes place in two ways. Fig- gravity flow in carburetor
1. SI engine/Carburetor- Charge that is air and fuel
mix in carburetor, compressed and ignited by Suction method
spark. • mainly used in single cylinder engines operating at
• Charge ratio- 15:1. constant load or speed.
• Check valve in fuel tank connected through needle
2. Diesel engine/compression ignition- alone air
valve.
compressed and fuel is injected near end of
• Fuel drawn from tank through tube and amount is
compression stroke, that was ignited by heat of
controlled by needle.
compression.

fuel supply system in Spark Ignition engine- it consists of

Fuel tank Carburetor

Sediment bowl Fuel pipes
Fuel lift pump

Overflow method
• Used on stationary single cylinder engine.
• Pump supply fuel to chamber equipped with
overflow pipe.
• Pump maintain regular supply of fuel.
Fuel tank – sediment bowl – lift pump – carburetor – engine
cylinder

Supply in Carburetor
Carburetor Flow through gravity force to float
below fuel chamber which maintain constant head
tank at jet of carburetor. Fig
Carburetor Three method-
above fuel 1. Suction method
tank 2. overflow method
3. float valve method

Float valve method

• Used on multicylinder engines.
• Diaphragm pump used to lift fuel from tank to float
chamber.
• Float operated needle valve control amount of
fuel.

2
Agriculture Engineering for UPSC Join
Carburetor Fuel pump- called gasoline pump. diaphragm type pump.
Components of carburetor Consist of body, cover and lead.
• Venturi- produce low pressure in the throat of
carburetor. Fuel discharge at rate proportional to Fuel system of diesel engine
air velocity.
Components
• Float chamber- maintain constant level of fuel in
carburetor.

• Throttle- butterfly valve bet mixing chamber and

inlet manifold to regulate quantity of charge.

• Choke- butterfly valve restricts air supply in

carburetor. When air supply is restricted, mixture
becomes richer.
• Fuel Tank: Stores diesel fuel.
• Main jet- small opening at throat of carburetor in
form of spray. • Fuel Pump: Draws fuel from the tank and delivers
it to the engine.
• Idling jet- supplies fuel a idling speed or low speed.
Opening on the manifold size of butterfly. • Fuel Filter: Removes impurities and contaminants
from the fuel.
• Compensating jet- supply leaner mixture when
main jet suppliers’ richer mixture at high speed. • Injection Pump: Pressurizes the fuel for efficient
injection.
• Economizer- device for regulating fuel supply in
main jet. • Fuel Injectors: Sprays fuel into the combustion
chamber.
Working of carburetor
• Air flows over end of jet containing liquid, some Working
liquid drawn into the air stream. 1. Fuel is stored in the fuel tank.
2. A fuel pump draws fuel from the tank.
• As air flow over jet increases, fuel drawn also 3. The fuel passes through a filter to remove
increases. impurities.
4. The fuel is pressurized by the injection pump.
• Fuel level in jet is maintained by float chamber. 5. High-pressure fuel is sent to the fuel injectors.
• Level in jet and float chamber are always same. 6. Fuel injectors spray fuel into the combustion
chamber.
• As fuel in oil chamber goes down, float goes down 7. Combustion occurs when the fuel mixes with
result more fuel drawn through needle valve. compressed air.
When it level rises to correct level needle valve 8. Exhaust gases are expelled, and the process
cuts off fuel flow. repeats in other cylinders.

• Venturi increases the air flowing over jet. Type of fuel pump
1. Plunger type-
• Butterfly valve controls the flow of charge. • May be single acting or double acting,
mounted on side of injection pump housing.
• In acceleration it increases the flow and • Driven by camshaft.
deacceleration restrict the flow of that. • Pressure range bet 1.5 to 2.5 kg/cm2.
• Consist of
• Chok used to provide richer mix for engine start in 1. Body 2. Inlet valve
cold conditions. 3. piston 4. Pressure valve

Function of carburetor Working

• To mix the air and fuel thoroughly. • Fuel Intake: As the plunger moves in one
• To atomise the fuel direction, it creates a vacuum within the cylinder,
• To regulate the air-fuel at different speed and which opens an inlet valve. This allows fuel from
loads the fuel tank or supply line to enter the cylinder.
• To supply correct amount of mixture.

3
Agriculture Engineering for UPSC Join
• Fuel Compression: When the plunger reverses • In two stage- primary and secondary.
direction, it pushes the fuel towards the outlet • Materials-
side of the cylinder. The outlet valve closes to o Metal elements- porous metal filter
prevent backflow, and the fuel becomes o Felt and cloth elements- cloth of
compressed, resulting in increased pressure. specially weaving.
o Paper disc
• Fuel Delivery: Once the pressure within the
cylinder reaches a certain level, it overcomes the
resistance of the fuel system components (such as
injectors or carburetors), causing the outlet valve
to open. This allows the pressurized fuel to be
delivered to the engine's combustion chambers.

• Repeat Cycle: The plunger continues its

reciprocating motion, maintaining a continuous
cycle of fuel intake, compression, and delivery,
ensuring a steady supply of pressurized fuel to
meet the engine's demands.

Injection pump
• Create pressure varying from 120 kg/cm2 to 300
kg/cm2.
• Supplies metered quantity of fuel to each cylinder.
• Type- 1. Multi element pump 2. Distributor type

Multi element pump

• Components
1. plunger and barrel
2. Camshaft
Fig. Plunger type pump 3. Delivery valve
4. Fuel control valve
Diaphragm type fuel pump • Plunger with helical groves rotates, change in
• Component helical groves position allow fuel to enter in barrel
Main body Rocker arm through ports.
Diaphragm Inlet and outlet valve • Control rod govern movement of plunger, and rod
Spring Sediment bowl are connected to governor.

• The downward movement of diaphragm creates Working

suction for fuel, at this time outlet valve is closed. • Fuel enters the pump through an inlet port
• Rocker arm returned to original position due to connected to the fuel tank.
tension of spring.
• Upward movement creates pushing effects, outlet • The plunger moves downward during the intake
valve opens, and pumped through outlet valve. stroke, creating a vacuum in the pumping chamber
and opening the inlet valve.

• Fuel flows into the pumping chamber.

• The plunger moves upward during the

compression stroke, compressing the fuel within
the pumping chamber.

• The outlet valve remains closed during this stage.

• As the plunger reaches the top of its stroke, the

outlet valve opens, allowing pressurized fuel to
Filters exit the pumping chamber.
• Mostly fitted on fuel lift pump.
• Prevents dust and foreign materials.

4
Agriculture Engineering for UPSC Join
• The pressurized fuel is delivered to the engine's • Dry Type Air Cleaner: This is the most basic and
fuel injectors through fuel lines. commonly used air cleaner in tractors. It consists
of a paper or foam filter element that traps dust
• The fuel injectors atomize the fuel and inject it into and other contaminants. The filter element needs
the combustion chamber for efficient combustion. regular cleaning or replacement to maintain
optimal airflow.
• The plunger and barrel assembly continue their
reciprocating motion, repeating the intake, • Oil Bath Air Cleaner: This type of air cleaner uses
compression, and delivery cycles to ensure a an oil bath to filter and trap contaminants. The air
continuous supply of pressurized fuel to the is drawn through a pool of oil, which captures the
engine. debris. The oil bath needs periodic maintenance to
ensure proper filtration.
Distributary type
• Deliver fuel in several cylinders.
• Reciprocate as well as rotate this help in
distribution.

Fuel injector
• Deliver finely atomized fuel under high pressure.
• Main parts of injector is nozzle body and needle
valve.
• Needle valve is pressed against a conical seat by
spring.
• Pressure is adjusted by adjusting screw.
• When fuel pressure becomes so high, it exceeds
set spring pressure, needle valve lifts off its seat.
• Fuel forced out of nozzle spray holes into
combustion chamber. ***
• It is fitted in cylinder head.
• There is three types- pintle type, throttle type,
hole type.

Turbo charger
• A turbocharger increases the power of an engine
by using exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which in
turn drives a compressor.
• Exhaust Energy: The engine's exhaust gases flow
through the turbine housing, causing the turbine
We provide Agriculture
wheel to rotate rapidly. Engineering Optional for UPSC
• Compressor: The turbine wheel is connected to a Indian Forest Service – complete
compressor wheel, which draws in and
compresses ambient air.
solution, lectures, and notes.
• Increased Air Supply: The compressed air is then
delivered to the engine's intake manifold, allowing Please join our telegram group
more fuel to be injected for powerful combustion.
for updates and YouTube channel
• Power Boost: The increased air-fuel mixture leads
to more efficient combustion and increased power for lectures.
output from the engine.
• Waste Energy Utilization: The turbocharger
harnesses waste energy from the exhaust gases,
recycling it to enhance engine performance.
• Control: Components like wastegates and
intercoolers are used to manage and optimize
boost pressure.

Air cleaner
• Filters and remove dust, moisture and other
foreign matters from air before if reaches engine
cylinders.