ME 429, Fall 2015

Internal Combustion Engines

Prof: Dr. Rodica A. Baranescu
Room 2053 ERF
Email :baranesc@uic.edu
Course Objectives:
The course material covers the fundamentals of the internal combustion engines as
complex machines from the standpoint of: thermodynamic energy conversion of fuel
combustion into mechanical work; complex mechanical systems subjected to dynamic
forces, vibration and wear; subsystems and their synergetic interaction and operation
within the complex engine; emission of exhaust gases and control technologies for
ambient pollution.
The students will understand the complex processes that occur in engines and how the
thermodynamic processes are linked to engine performance, design and operation. They
will become familiar with the continuous need to evolve the engine technology in order
to satisfy performance, energy efficiency and environmental needs.

Prerequisite Knowledge and /or Skills:

Students are expected to have working knowledge of thermodynamics, including: first
and second law analysis, reacting mixtures, heat transfer, heating values and chemical
equilibrium. They are also expected to have working knowledge of Engineering
Dynamics, Mechanisms, Mechanical Vibrations, Basic Materials and Properties, etc., all
from previous 200- and 300- level courses.

Reference Materials:
Principal
Engineering Fundamentals of the Internal Combustion Engine
By W. Pulkrabek, Pearson, Prentice Hall, 2004
ISBN 0-13-140570-5
Other
Internal Combustion Engine Handbook
By Richard van Basshuysen and Fred Schafer, Published by SAE International and
Siemens VDO Automotive -2004
ISBN 0-7680-1139-6
Diesel Engine Reference Book, 2nd Edition, edited by Rodica A. Baranescu and
Bernard Challen, Butterworth Heinemann publishers 1999 ISBN 0-7506-2176-1
Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals by J.B. Heywood, Mc. Graw Hill, 1988
Bosch Automotive Handbook, 7th Edition, SAE Publisher 2007
Bosch Automotive Handbook, 6th Edition, SAE Publisher 2004
Bosch Diesel Engine Management, 3rd Edition, SAE publisher 2004
1

Course Contents
Part One Engines as Thermal Machines
1. Introduction
o Operating Principles
o Engine Classification
o Engines as a System
o Basic Terminology; Performance Parameters
o Operating Characteristics, Overview
2. Gas Exchange Processes
o Four stroke engines
i. Natural aspiration
ii. Forced aspiration
iii. Exhaust processes
o Two-stroke engines
3. Compression Processes
4. Chemistry and Physics of Combustion; Fundamentals
o Fuel Jet; Vaporization; Air and Fluid Motion
o Fuels; Properties relevant for Combustion
o Combustion Thermodynamics
o Combustion Kinetics
o Combustion Physics
5. Combustion in Spark Ignition Engines
o Normal Combustion Process
o Abnormal Combustion; Detonation; Secondary Combustion
o Factors affecting Combustion
6. Combustion in Compression Ignition Engines
o Self Ignition and Diffusive Combustion
o Factors Affecting Combustion
7. Expansion Processes
8. Performance and Basic Computation of Engines
o Indicated cycle diagram
o Computation of Indicated and effective (brake) specific parameters
o Engine Thermal Balance
o Cycle Simulation of Internal Combustion Engines
9. Pollutant Formation and Control Fundamentals
o Nitrogen Oxides
o Carbon Monoxide
o Unburned HC
o Particulate Emissions
o Emission Standards for Mobile Sources
o Pollutant Control For Spark Ignition Engines
Pollutant Control for Compression Ignition Engines

Part Two Engines as Mechanical Systems

10. Kinematics and Dynamics Fundamentals of Engines
o Kinematics and Dynamics of Crank Mechanism
o Engine Torque; Firing Sequence; Crankshaft angular velocity
o Basic Elements of Engine Balancing
11. Power Cylinder (Piston) Group
o Piston
o Piston Pin
o Piston Rings
12. Connecting Rod
13. Crankshaft
14. Non Moving (Fixed) Parts
o Engine Block
o Cylinder Head

Part Three Engine Major Subsystems

15. Valve Train System
16. Fuel System
Functional requirements; components; electronic management
o Gasoline Engines
o Diesel Engines
o Dual Fuel Engines
17. Air Management (Turbocharging) System
18. Lubrication System
19. Engine Cooling System
20. Starting Systems
21. Integrated Electronic Engine Management

Part Four The Future of Internal Combustion Engines

22. New Concepts of engines
23. The future engine - Evolution or Revolution?

Engine Hardware Class - if possible visit an engine plant as early in the course as
possible