Week 8: ENGINE PERFORMANCE

Engine performance is generally defined as the ability of an engine to convert the

chemical energy of fuel into useful mechanical energy efficiently and reliably under
specified operating conditions. It encompasses parameters such as power output,
efficiency, fuel consumption, torque, and emissions which collectively show how well the
engine fulfills its intended function (H.N. Gupta).
• It is the measurement and evaluation of various outputs and efficiencies of an
internal combustion engine under different operating scenarios to determine
quality, reliability, and capability.
• It includes the capacity to deliver power, fuel efficiency, exhaust emissions
control, and the durability of the engine components during operation.
Importance of Measuring Engine Performance
• Measurement is critical for assessing the health and condition of the engine,
identifying development or maintenance needs, and ensuring safety and
compliance with emissions regulations.
• It helps optimize fuel consumption, enhance power output, reduce harmful
emissions, and improve vehicle or machinery efficiency.
• Through performance measurement, faults or inefficiencies (like improper
combustion or worn components) can be detected early, preventing major
breakdowns and costly repairs.
• As engineers, it is imperative for us to conduct a performance test to prevent
guessing and assuming if the engine performs well or not based on expectations.
Methods and Equipment Used in Measuring Engine Performance
• Dynamometers (Engine or Chassis Dyno): Measure torque and power output by
applying a load and recording engine response. This is a direct and widely used
method for static and dynamic performance testing.
• Fuel Flow Meters: Gauge fuel consumption rate for evaluating fuel efficiency and
specific fuel consumption.
• Exhaust Gas Analyzers: Measure emissions composition to assess combustion
efficiency and pollutant output.
• Crankshaft and Cylinder Pressure Sensors: For indicated power calculation and
combustion analysis.
• Airflow Meters and Intake Manifold Pressure Sensors: To measure intake air
volume and volumetric efficiency.
 • Other specialized equipment includes temperature sensors, tachometers for
engine speed, and torque telemetry systems for in situ measurement without
disassembly.

The most common type of dynameter is the Absorption Dynamometer. This

dynamometer absorbs the power produced by the engine and dissipate it as heat
or other forms of energy. They are used to measure the output power by applying
a controlled load. Subtypes include:
• Hydraulic Dynamometers: Use fluid resistance (water or oil) to absorb
power. Suitable for high power tests but require cooling systems.
• Eddy Current Dynamometers: Use magnetic fields to generate resistance
through eddy currents in a conductor. Known for precise load control and
low maintenance, often used in automotive testing.
• Electric Dynamometers: Convert mechanical power into electrical energy
which is dissipated or regenerated. Used for testing electric motors and for
regenerative braking applications.
• Mechanical Friction Dynamometers: Use friction between rotating and
stationary parts; simple but less common in modern testing.

Different terms associated with Engine Performance in Combustion Engineering:

1. Indicated Power (IP) - The power developed inside the engine cylinder without
mechanical losses, calculated from the indicator diagram.
2. Brake Power (BP) - The actual power output delivered by the engine shaft after
mechanical losses.
3. Frictional Power (FP) - The power lost due to friction inside the engine, difference
between indicated power and brake power.
4. Mechanical Efficiency - The ratio of brake power to indicated power, representing
the efficiency of power transmission in the engine.
5. Volumetric Efficiency - The ratio of the actual volume of air drawn into the
cylinder to the theoretical volume based on piston displacement.
6. Thermal Efficiency - The ratio of useful work output to the heat input from fuel
combustion.
7. Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP) - The average pressure acting on the
piston during the power stroke based on brake power.
8. Air-Fuel Ratio - The proportion by weight or volume of air to fuel in the
combustion mixture.
9. Compression Ratio - The ratio of the cylinder volume when the piston is at
bottom dead center to the volume when at top dead center.
10. Combustion Efficiency - The effectiveness with which the fuel is burned inside the
engine cylinder.
11. Piston Speed - The speed at which the piston moves inside the cylinder, usually
measured in meters per minute.
12. Detonation - Abnormal combustion causing knocking due to uncontrolled
explosion of the fuel-air mixture.
13. Scavenging - The process of clearing exhaust gases out and filling the cylinder
with fresh air-fuel mixture.
14. Firing Order - The sequence in which the engine cylinders ignite to produce
power.
15. Brake Thermal Efficiency - The thermal efficiency based on brake power output.
16. Indicated Thermal Efficiency - The thermal efficiency based on indicated power.
17. Mean Effective Pressure (MEP) - An average pressure which, if acted on the
piston during the power stroke, would produce the net work output.
18. Air Induction Efficiency - The efficiency with which air is inducted into the
combustion chamber.
19. Torque - A measure of the turning force the engine produces on the crankshaft,
important for acceleration and power delivery.
20. Peak Torque - The maximum torque the engine can produce at a specific speed.
21. Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) - The amount of fuel consumed per
unit of brake power output, indicating fuel efficiency.
22. Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP) - The average pressure in the cylinder
calculated from the indicator diagram, representing engine work.
23. Overall Pressure Ratio - The pressure ratio of compressor outlet to inlet in gas
turbine or jet engines, affecting performance.
24. Exhaust Gas Temperature - Temperature of gases exiting the combustion
chamber, used to monitor combustion and engine health.
25. Power Band - The range of engine speeds within which the engine operates
efficiently and produces usable power.
26. Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (TSFC) - Fuel consumption per unit of thrust
for jet and rocket engines, a measure of propellant efficiency.
27. Engine Displacement - Total volume swept by all pistons inside cylinders
between top and bottom dead center positions.
28. Maximum Rated Speed - The highest engine speed at which the engine is
designed to run safely and reliably.
29. Engine Frictional Losses - Power losses caused by friction between moving parts
inside the engine.
30. Idle Speed - The speed at which an engine runs when not engaged with a load or
vehicle movement.
31. Glow Plug - An electrical heating element used to aid starting in diesel engines
by warming the combustion chamber.
32. Power-to-Weight Ratio - The ratio of engine power output relative to engine
weight, important for performance evaluation.
33. Cooling System - The system (usually liquid or air-based) used to remove excess
heat from the engine to prevent overheating.
34. Fuel Economy - The distance or work output obtained per unit of fuel consumed.
35. Engine Balance - The degree to which forces and moments produced by moving
parts are balanced to reduce vibration.
36. Turbocharger - A device that uses exhaust gases to increase the pressure and
density of intake air, improving power and efficiency.
37. Spark Advance - The timing of spark plug ignition relative to piston position to
optimize combustion timing.
 38. Knock Sensor - A sensor to detect engine knocking or detonation and adjust
ignition timing to prevent damage.
39. Power-to-Weight Ratio - Ratio describing engine power output relative to its
weight, important for performance evaluation.
40. Absolute Rated Power – The maximum power an engine can develop at sea
level without restrictions on speed or throttle.
41. Maximum Rated Power – The highest power allowed for short-term engine
operation.
42. Normal Rated Power – The highest power allowed for continuous engine
operation.
43. Rated Speed – Crankshaft speed at which the rated power is achieved.
44. Specific Power Output – Power output per unit of engine displacement or
volume.
45. Mean Piston Speed – Average speed of piston travel in the cylinder, related to
engine wear.
46. Relative Efficiency – Ratio of an engine's thermal efficiency to a reference
engine's efficiency.
47. Air Induction – The process and efficiency of introducing air into the combustion
chamber.
48. Throttle Response – The responsiveness of the engine to changes in throttle
position.
49. Transient Response – How quickly an engine reacts to load or speed changes.

50. Fuel-Air Ratio (F/A) – The ratio of fuel to air by mass or volume in the combustion
mixture.
51. Over-Speed – Operating speed above the maximum rated speed, usually
avoided.
52. Engine Drag – Resistance caused by engine components when running without
power output.
Important formulas associated with measuring engine performance:
1. Power (P) from Torque and Rotational Speed:
𝑇×𝑛
𝑃=
9550

where 𝑃 is power in kilowatts (kW), 𝑇 is torque in Newton-meters (N·m), and 𝑛 is

rotational speed in revolutions per minute (rpm).
 2. Brake Thermal Efficiency (𝜂𝑏 ):
Brake Power (BP) 𝐵𝑃
𝜂𝑏 = =
Fuel Energy Input 𝑚̇𝑓 × 𝐶𝑉

where 𝑚̇𝑓 is fuel mass flow rate, and 𝐶𝑉 is the calorific value of the fuel.

3. Indicated Thermal Efficiency (𝜂𝑖 ):

Indicated Power (IP)
𝜂𝑖 =
𝑚̇𝑓 × 𝐶𝑉

showing the efficiency based on power developed in the cylinder without losses.
4. Mechanical Efficiency (𝜂𝑚 ):
Brake Power (BP)
𝜂𝑚 =
Indicated Power (IP)

representing the ratio of useful power output to power developed inside the cylinder.
5. Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP):
2𝜋 × 𝑇 × 𝑛
𝐵𝑀𝐸𝑃 =
𝑉𝑑 × 𝑛𝑐

where 𝑇 is torque, 𝑉𝑑 is displacement volume, and 𝑛𝑐 is number of working cycles per

unit time.
6. Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC):
𝑚̇𝑓
𝑆𝐹𝐶 =
𝑃

where 𝑚̇𝑓 is fuel mass flow rate and 𝑃 is power output (can be brake or indicated).

7. Mean Piston Speed (𝑈𝑝 ):

𝑈𝑝 = 2 × 𝐿 × 𝑁

where 𝐿 is stroke length and 𝑁 is engine speed in revolutions per second.

 8. Thermal Efficiency (𝜂) of a heat engine:
𝑊 𝑄𝐶
𝜂= =1−
𝑄𝐻 𝑄𝐻

where 𝑊 is work output, 𝑄𝐻 is heat input, and 𝑄𝐶 is heat rejected.

9. Volumetric Efficiency (𝜂𝑣 )

Volumetric efficiency is the ratio of the actual volume of air drawn into the cylinder to the
theoretical swept volume of the cylinder:
Actual volume of air intake 𝑉𝑎
𝜂𝑣 = =
Swept volume of cylinder 𝑉𝑑

If using mass flow rates and intake conditions, it can be expressed as:
𝑚̇𝑎
𝜂𝑣 =
𝜌𝑎 × 𝑉𝑑 × 𝑁𝑒 /𝑛𝑟

Where:
• 𝑚̇𝑎 = air mass flow rate (kg/s)
𝑝𝑎
• 𝜌𝑎 = 𝑅 = air density at intake manifold (kg/m³)
𝑎 𝑇𝑎

• 𝑉𝑑 = engine swept volume or displacement (m³)

• 𝑁𝑒 = engine speed (revolutions per second)
• 𝑛𝑟 = number of crankshaft revolutions per engine cycle (2 for 4-stroke, 1 for 2-
stroke)
• 𝑝𝑎 , 𝑇𝑎 = intake air pressure and temperature
• 𝑅𝑎 = gas constant for air
This efficiency normally is less than or equal to 1 (or 100%) but can slightly exceed it in
special cases. What is the reason why is this so?
 10. Air–Fuel Ratio (AFR)
Air–fuel ratio is the ratio of the mass of air to the mass of fuel in the combustion mixture:
𝑚𝑎
𝐴𝐹𝑅 =
𝑚𝑓
Where:
• 𝑚𝑎 = mass of air
• 𝑚𝑓 = mass of fuel

Willians Line Method

The Willans Line Method is a technique used to determine the frictional power of an
internal combustion engine, and indirectly its indicated power, by analyzing the
relationship between fuel consumption and brake power at a constant engine speed.
Definition and Explanation
• The method is also known as the fuel rate extrapolation method.
• In this method, the engine is run at different loads but constant speed, and the
brake power and fuel consumption rates are recorded.
• A graph is plotted with fuel consumption rate (or fuel rate) on the Y-axis
and brake power on the X-axis.
• This graph typically forms a straight line called the Willans line.
• By extrapolating this line backward to where the fuel consumption would be zero
(i.e., extending the line to intersect the Y-axis), the intercept on the X-axis gives
the frictional power of the engine at that speed.
• The frictional power is the power lost due to engine friction and mechanical
losses.
• Knowing the brake power and frictional power, the indicated power of the engine
can be calculated since:
Indicated Power = Brake Power + Frictional Power

• The negative X-axis intercept (at zero fuel consumption) represents friction
power.
• The method assumes constant engine speed and steady operating conditions.
• It is widely used in experimental engine testing for performance analysis.
This graphical method is relatively simple and effective for estimating frictional power
without direct measurement of internal pressures.

Energy Balance
Energy balance is an important part of engine performance measurement. It involves
accounting for the various forms and flows of energy entering and leaving the engine
system to understand how efficiently the engine converts fuel energy into useful
mechanical work and where losses occur.
How Energy Balance is Done in Engine Performance:
• It starts by measuring the energy input to the engine through fuel consumption,
which depends on the fuel flow rate and the fuel’s calorific value.
• Energy output is measured in several forms:
• Brake Power Output: Mechanical energy delivered by the engine shaft.
• Exhaust Energy: Heat energy lost via hot exhaust gases.
• Cooling System Energy: Heat taken away by engine coolant.
• Heat Losses via Engine Surfaces: Convection and radiation losses to the
surroundings.
• Friction and Mechanical Losses: Energy lost overcoming friction in engine
components.
Thus, required parameters are fuel flow rates, temperatures (exhaust, coolant, engine
parts), pressures, and power output from the dynamometer.
The energy balance equation typically is:
Energy Input = Useful Power Output + Heat Losses + Mechanical Losses

This balance helps identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement in engine design
and operation. Instruments used include fuel flow meters, temperature sensors,
dynamometers, pressure sensors, and exhaust gas analyzers. Data acquisition systems
synchronize these measurements for detailed analysis.
Energy balance analysis is essential for optimizing fuel consumption, reducing
emissions, and improving overall engine efficiency during performance testing

Practice Review Questions:

1. What type of engine ignites fuel by the heat of compressed air without using a
spark plug?
2. What device regulates engine speed by controlling fuel supply to maintain
constant speed?
3. What is the small quantity of fuel oil injected first to initiate combustion in a diesel
engine?
4. What controls the opening and closing of the fuel injection valve?
5. Name a gaseous fuel commonly used for combustion in engines.
6. What mixes air with fuel vapor to form a combustible mixture in spark ignition
engines?
7. What is the condition in a carburetor where air velocity reaches sonic speed?
8. Which carburetor design allows air to enter from the bottom and flow upward?
9. How does a horizontal carburetor differ in airflow path?
10. Which type of carburetor has air entering from the top and flowing downward?
11. What is fuel injection without the aid of air to atomize the fuel?
12. What fluid motion enhances the mixing of air and fuel?
13. What term describes an abnormal combustion causing knocking?
14. What ratio measures the effectiveness of the engine in drawing air into the
cylinders?
15. What efficiency measures brake power output to fuel energy input?
16. How is power generated inside the cylinder calculated?
17. What term describes the average pressure exerted on the piston during the
power stroke related to brake power?
18. What indicates the amount of fuel consumed per unit of power output?
19. What is the ratio of air mass to fuel mass in the combustion mixture?
20. What cause the air-fuel mixture from the carburetor to enter the combustion
chamber?