COMPRESSION IGNITION (CI) ENGINES – DETAILED LONG NOTES
1. Introduction to CI Engines
Compression Ignition (CI) engines, commonly called diesel engines, operate on the principle of
auto-ignition.
Air is compressed to a very high pressure and temperature, and fuel is injected near the end of
compression.
Because of high temperature, the fuel ignites without a spark plug.
Key Characteristics:
- High compression ratio: 14:1 to 22:1
- Operate on Diesel Cycle
- Higher thermal efficiency than SI engines
- Fuel injected directly or indirectly into combustion space
2. Nature of Combustion in CI Engines
Diesel combustion is a complex process involving physical and chemical preparation of fuel before
burning.
Stages of Combustion:
1) Ignition Delay Period (IDP)
- Time between injection start and ignition start.
- Fuel undergoes atomization, vaporization, mixing with air, and chemical reactions.
- Long delay → more fuel accumulation → high pressure rise → diesel knock.
- Affected by: fuel quality, injection pressure, air temperature, speed.
2) Rapid or Uncontrolled Combustion
- Accumulated fuel burns suddenly.
- Sharp rise in pressure.
- Diesel knock occurs if delay is high.
3) Controlled or Mixing-Controlled Combustion
- Fuel burns as it is injected.
- Smooth pressure curve.
4) After-Burning
- Some fuel droplets that did not burn in main combustion burn later.
- Caused by poor mixing, large droplets, wall wetting.
3. Injection Systems: Direct & Indirect
Direct Injection (DI):
- Fuel injected directly into main chamber.
- Combustion chamber designed to create swirl and turbulence.
- Advantages: high efficiency, better fuel economy, lower heat loss.
- Used in trucks, modern diesel cars, generators.
Indirect Injection (IDI):
- Fuel injected into a prechamber connected to main chamber.
- High swirl in prechamber ensures good mixing.
- Advantages: quieter engine, better cold starting.
- Disadvantages: low efficiency due to heat loss.
- Used in older diesel cars.
4. Air Motion in CI Engines
Proper air movement is essential because diesel engines rely on diffusion combustion.
Types of Air Motion:
1) Swirl
- Rotation of air about cylinder axis.
- Generated by intake port design or combustion chamber shape.
- Improves mixing and reduces ignition delay.
2) Squish
- Radial inward motion of air as piston approaches TDC.
- Helps push air toward fuel spray.
3) Tumble
- Rotational motion in perpendicular direction.
- Supports droplet breakup and mixing.
Benefits of air motion:
- Faster evaporation
- Better mixing
- More uniform combustion
- Reduced soot formation
5. Combustion Chamber Designs
A) Open Chamber (DI Engines)
- Simple bowl-shaped chamber in piston crown.
- Types: Shallow depth, Toroidal, Hemispherical.
- Provide required swirl and turbulence.
B) Divided Chamber (IDI Engines)
1. Pre-combustion Chamber
2. Swirl Chamber
3. Air-Cell Chamber
Design objectives:
- Promote air-fuel mixing
- Reduce ignition delay
- Improve flame travel
- Reduce diesel knock
6. Fuel Spray Penetration & Evaporation
Spray Penetration:
- Distance traveled by injected fuel droplets inside cylinder.
- Affected by: injection pressure, air density, orifice size.
Evaporation Process:
- Droplets absorb heat → evaporate → mix with air.
- Smaller droplets → larger surface area → fast evaporation.
Spray Characteristics:
- Atomization
- Penetration
- Dispersion
- Cone angle
Good spray = complete combustion + low emissions.
7. Supercharging & Turbocharging
Supercharging:
- Mechanical compressor driven by crankshaft.
- Boosts air pressure → increases power output.
- Disadvantage: power loss due to engine-driven mechanism.
Turbocharging:
- Uses exhaust gas turbine to drive compressor.
- No mechanical drive → better efficiency.
- Turbo lag occurs at lower speeds.
Benefits:
- Increased volumetric efficiency
- Higher power-to-weight ratio
- Improved altitude performance
8. Thermodynamic Analysis: Diesel Cycle
Diesel Cycle steps:
1. Isentropic compression
2. Constant-pressure heat addition
3. Isentropic expansion
4. Constant-volume heat rejection
Efficiency depends on:
- Compression ratio (r)
- Cut-off ratio (ρ)
- Specific heat ratio (γ)
Diesel Cycle Efficiency:
η = 1 - (1/(r^(γ-1))) * ((ρ^γ - 1)/(γ(ρ - 1)))
Higher r → higher efficiency.
9. Wankel Engine: Working & Applications
Wankel engine is a rotary engine with a triangular rotor moving inside an epitrochoid-shaped
housing.
Four processes occur simultaneously in different chambers:
1. Intake
2. Compression
3. Power
4. Exhaust
Advantages:
- No reciprocating parts → smooth operation
- High RPM possible
- Compact and lightweight
Disadvantages:
- Poor sealing (apex seal wear)
- High fuel consumption
- Higher emissions
Applications:
- Mazda RX-7, RX-8
- Small aircraft
- Motorcycles
- Racing engines
End of Detailed Notes