Problem

Diesel engines are said to produce higher torque than gasoline engines. What does
that mean? Why do petrol engines have higher horsepower, lower torque and accelerate
faster than diesel engines?
Discussion
Diesel engines are generally heavier than their petrol counterparts making them
slower. The compression ratio of diesel engines is much higher than petrol engines
since the flash point (temperature at which it c1atches fire) of diesel is higher than
petrol. The compression ratio, the ratio between the largest and smallest capacity of the
combustion chamber, required for diesel engines is about 22:1 whereas 8:1-9:1 for petrol
engines. The first reason is a much higher compression ratio. This is the ratio of the
maximum and minimum volume in the cylinder of an engine. Its made larger in a diesel
engine due to a longer stroke, meaning the piston is moving up and down a larger internal
volume of cylinder. Diesel engines never rev as high as petrol engines due to the fact that
the piston has to travel further for its full rotation, while a petrol engine uses its shorter
stroke to move the piston in quicker bursts, meaning the engine speed can be faster.
Another
influence
on
torque
output
is
the
pressure
exerted on
the
piston from
the
combusted
fuel.
Diesel

(45500kJ/kg) has a slightly lower calorific value than petrol (45800kJ/kg) which means
that more heat is actually contained within petrol for a given volume than diesel.
However, diesel is much denser than petrol and can store up to 15 per cent more energy
per given volume. This means that each time diesel is combusted, more energy is
transferred through to pressure on the piston, increasing the amount of torque acting
through the crankshaft. Diesel engine's reciprocating parts are much heavier than petrol ,
this is because the engine is built robust as the compression ratio and peak pressures are
high for diesel.
More mass = more inertia, so a diesel engine will need to spend more energy to
reciprocate its piston. If you try to accelerate both wheels with your hand , the first

(cycle)wheel of bicycle being lighter is easy to rotate , so you can hit the maximum rpm ,
faster in this wheel. While is the second wheel (car), although the maximum achieved
rpm is same , but you could have taken more time.
References
https://www.myspinny.com/blog/index.php/petrol-vs-diesel-performancecompared/
MichaelFerniehttps://www.carthrottle.com/post/why-do-diesel-engines-produceso-much-torque/
https://www.quora.com/Cars-and-Automobiles-Why-do-petrol-engines-havehigher horsepower-lower-torque-and-accelerate-faster-than-diesel-engine

Problem
One automobile engine requires 5W20 motor oil while another engine requires
5W30 oil. What do these designations mean and why might they differ for two engines?
Discussion
The reason 5W-30 and 5W-20 motor oils are so common is because they work
very well with a wide selection of vehicle engine types. Most often, these types of oils
best cover the range of possible temperatures, with a 5W-20 oil more geared toward

colder climates and a 5W-30 oil more appropriate for warmer temperature extremes. For
the most part, either one should work just fine in a vehicle engine regardless of the
prevailing temperatures. The main difference between 5W-30 and 5W-20 motor oil is that
the latter gives a slight bump in fuel efficiency.
When used in a vehicle's engine, 5W-20 oil creates less friction due to its thinner
viscosity (or thickness), meaning it drags less across engine parts like the crankshaft,
valvetrain, and pistons. The thinner nature of 5W-20 oil also allows the oil pump to move
it from the oil pan to the rest of the engine more easily. Where 5W-30 comes into play is

in hotter climates where oil tends to break down under higher temperatures. This
translates into the strength of the 5W-30 oil keeping it from breaking down as quickly as
the 5W-20 oil, providing better overall engine part protection.Oil manufacturers use
additives in oil for cars to improve the performance of the oil when it comes to
lubrication. In addition, some other affects of additives in oils include cleaning engine
deposits from engine parts, inhibiting corrosion or rust inside the engine, and keep the oil
from breaking down as bad either due to oxidation or extreme temperatures.
The first numeral, specifically, say, the 20 in the 20-W-50, refers to the
minimum environmental temperature under which the particular engine oil should be
used. The primary difference between these two viscosity grades of oil is that one is less
viscous at engine operating temperature than the other. A 5w20 oil (because its
equivalent to an SAE 20 weight at engine operating temp 100 degrees C), is going to be
less viscous than a 5w30, which is equivalent to an SAE 30 weight oil at engine operating
temperature. So, once the engine is warm, a 5w30 oil will be thicker than the 5w20 oil
would be. Thicker is technically not the best term, but its the one people understand. A
5w30 will have somewhat better film strength than a 5w20 oil of similar quality and
similar basestock. Thus, a 5w20 oil and a 5w30 oil can actually be quite similar in
viscosity at engine operating temperature. Or, alternatively, COULD be nearly as
different as an SAE 30 and an SAE 50 weight oil. In the end, for most vehicles calling for
a 5w20 oil, a 5w30 oil will be acceptable, and, in most cases, the owners manual will
even indicate that a 5w30 oil can be used temporarily in the engine. Of course, any
change you make to viscosity recommendations CAN affect fuel economy to some extent
or engine protection to some extent. But, in the VAST majority of cases, moving up or
down by one viscosity grade (the number AFTER the w) will not cause any major
problem to an engine.
References
AndrewDueck , Apr 1, 2013https://themotoroilevaluator.com/membersblog/what-exactly-is-the-difference-between-5w20-and-5w30/
Cheryl Knight on November18,2015https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/whyare-5w-30-and-5w-20-oils-so-common
http://www.nairaland.com/1902262/why-should-use-5w-20-5w-30

Problem
Grace, a ten-year-old camper, is suddenly awakened by a metallic click coming

from a railroad track passing close to her camping area; in the distance, she soon hears
the deep growling of a diesel locomotive pulling an approaching train. How would you
interpret these different sounds to her?
Discussion
Hey! Grace, look at the rail where you hear the clocking sound coming from and you will
see those rail joints, each wheel that passes over them produces a click, or clack as some
prefer to call them.
References
https://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120201232725AAhcmZk

Problem
In making a quick stop at a friends home, is it better to let your cars engine idle
or turn it off and restart when you leave?
Discussion
It's estimated the average person spends about 16 minutes a day idling, which can
amount to around $116 a year for a 4-cylinder engine. Not all of it can be completely
eliminatedfor example, it's probably not a good idea to turn your car off on the freeway,
no matter how long you're idlingbut even switching it off while you wait in a parking lot
can add up to pretty big savings. While reducing unnecessary idling can save a significant
amount of fuel and reduce GHG emissions, a running vehicle also releases air quality
emissions called criteria air contaminants (CACs). Research that examined
the CAC impact of turning the engine off and restarting it versus letting your vehicle idle
found that no clear choice emerged as both options produce some CAC emissions.
However, the studies clearly showed that there are direct benefits in the form of fuel
savings and reduced GHG emissions obtained by turning the engine off instead of
idling. As such, when considering all of the factors, the studies showed it is better to turn
the engine off rather than to let it idle unnecessarily. As a practical guideline, balancing
factors such as fuel savings, emissions and component wear, if you're going to be stopped
for more than 60 seconds it's best to turn the engine off. Engineers now estimate that it is
more fuel efficient to turn a car off and on then to leave it running as long as the car will
be off for more than 10 seconds. Modern electronic ignition systems and more efficient
batteries mean that if you are going to be idling for more than 10 seconds, it is better for
the car, the engine. Exhaust from idling vehicles can pose health risks as exposure to
exhaust can cause lung and respiratory problems. Exhaust also exacerbates asthma and
allergies. Finally, the carbon dioxide emissions from exhaust contribute to global
warming. but for those of us with traditional vehicles, the bottom line is that choosing not
to idle is better for your car, saves gasoline, and therefore money, and helps reduce
emissions that cause global warming. Choosing not to idle in our cars may be one of the
simplest and most effortless things we can do to help our environment. It can be
uncomfortable to approach people who might be idling in their car and explain to them
the benefits of choosing not to idle. Many people see it as criticism instead of education.

The best way to encourage people in vehicles not to idle is to encourage local
governments and institutions to make no idling a priority, to post no idling signs at those
places where idling is common and to educate their communities about the benefits of
eliminating idling.
References
http://lifehacker.com/if-your-car-will-be-idling-for-more-than-10-seconds-ju1609109060
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/communities
infrastructure/transportation/idling/4463
http://www.gogreenwilmette.org/just-how-bad-is-it-to-let-your-car-idle/

Problem
What is the difference between the diesel and gasoline fuel used in internal
combustion engines?
Discussion
In theory, diesel engines and gasoline engines are quite similar. They are
both internal combustion enginesdesigned to convert the chemical energy available in
fuel into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy moves pistons up and down inside
cylinders. The pistons are connected to a crankshaft, and the up-and-down motion of the

pistons, known as linear motion, creates the rotary motion needed to turn the wheels of a
car forward. Both diesel engines and gasoline engines covert fuel into energy through a
series of small explosions or combustions. The major difference between diesel and
gasoline is the way these explosions happen.

gasoline
fuel
is
with air,

In
a
engine,
mixed

compressed by pistons and ignited by sparks from spark plugs. In a diesel engine,
however, the air is compressed first, and then the fuel is injected. Because air heats up
when it's compressed, the fuel ignites. Gasoline is more volatile relatively low
compression and a spark ignites it. Diesel is far less volatile and twice the compression is
applied to it where this heat of compression ignites the fuel air mixture alone. Gasoline
has about 25 percent less energy in it than diesel fuel so diesel fuelled engines get better
range from a given about of fuel than do gasoline engines. Since the diesel engine is
compressing only the air, it can achieve a good compression ratio without risk of selfignition. But, in a pre-mixed petrol engine, such a high compression ratio is not possible.
As we increase compression ratio of petrol engine the mixture becomes more prone to
self ignition. This is known as knocking. Over the period of operation knocking badly
damages the engine. diesel car gives more mileage than a petrol car is due to the
difference in the compression ratio. The higher the compression ratio, the better is the
efficiency of the cycle. A qualitative efficiency variation is shown in the graph of Fig.6.
This is the reason why diesel engines have better fuel economy as compared to petrol
engines.
References
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel1.htm
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-the-diesel-and-gasolinefuel-used-in-internal-combustion-engines#
http://www.learnengineering.org/2015/08/Diesel-Engine-vs-Petrol-Engine.html

Problem
For a specified compression ratio, and assuming a cold air-standard analysis for
simplicity, which cycle has the greater thermal efficiency: an Otto cycle or a Diesel
cycle?
Discussion

Otto cycle more efficient from diesel cycle because diesel burns in high
temprature and petrol burns on low temprature this is the different between chemical
properties of petrol and diesel. petrol engine and diesel engine have also depend on wait
ratio petrol engine are use in small automobiles while the diesel are used in heavy
automobiles.have same compression ratio but chemical properties make different
between one another. But in real engine cycles with a gas exchange process, the diesel
tends to be more efficient. The Otto air standard cycle is more efficient because the area
under the PV diagram is larger. This is due to the heat addition being done at constant
volume (analogous to the piston being at TDC compression), while the diesel heat
addition is at constant pressure, being analagous to the heat being added while the piston
is moving down in the expansion stroke. So some of the potential heat energy of the fuel
is not fully utilized in the expansion stroke on a

diesel. Per your question, the real Diesel engine

is more efficient at the same compression ratio (assuming a ratio that would be feasible
for both) and at most operating points, particularly low loads, since diesels operate both
unthrottled and lean burn. Diesels are also more efficient at or near full load, since they
are still running lean, while SI engines are running rich. It would be at around 70-80%
load that an SI engine would give a diesel a run for its money, since the manifold vacuum
(and therefore pumping work) will be low, but the engine will not typically be into
enrichment yet at that load .Note that my answer on efficiency is based on thermal
efficiency or by specific fuel consumption by weight of fuel, such as grams/kW-hour. If
it is based on volume, such as MPG, diesel has about 15% more energy than gasoline,
giving it an inherent advantage that has nothing to do with the thermodynamic cycle.
Otto type charges have good flash and fire point and hence they are ignited by spark
plugs. At the same time diesel has good self ignition temperature and hence they don't
have any plugs to ignite and has higher compression ratio to maintain a temperature on
which they can get ignited. For compressing to such extent they should have thick walls
for maintaining the pressure. Its the basics. Now if the diesel's compression Ratio (C.R) is
kept down to otto, they won't ignite coz the temperature maintained is less. At the same
time if the C.R of otto is increased, the temperature and pressure increases w.r.t the C.R

during compression stroke, further addition of heat in power/expansion stroke increases

its temperature further and hence complete combustion takes place. Complete
combustion means improved efficiency. In addition Diesel engine has lots of subsidiary
parts which increases the weight and hence reduces the efficiency. That is why otto gives
good efficiency but the possibility of knocking has to be monitored because the
possibility is more.
References
http://www.allinterview.com/showanswers/110133/otto-cycle-more-efficient-thandiesel-cycle-for-same-comp-ratio-and-heat-input.html
https://www.quora.com/Which-is-more-efficient-at-same-compression-ratio-thediesel-or-Otto-cycle-Why
https://www.researchgate.net/post/If_the_compression_ratio_of_an_Otto_cycle_a
nd_a_Diesel_cycle_is_same_why_does_Otto_cycle_have_higher_efficiency
Problem
How is combustion initiated in a conventional gasoline-fueled internal
combustion engine?
Discussion
The spark plug sparks inside the piston at a prescribed time just before the power
stroke( a few Milli seconds before the TDC position of the piston), initiating the chain
reaction of Combustion. There is something called an ignition coil, which generates a
high voltage current and routes it to the spark plug. The spark plug has a sort of air gap in
the pathway of the high voltage current. The High voltage will jump the air gap and
hence generates the spark. The spark plug sparks inside the piston at a prescribed time
just before the power stroke( a few Milli seconds before the TDC position of the piston),
initiating the chain reaction of Combustion. here is something called an ignition coil,
which generates a high voltage current and routes it to the spark plug. The spark plug has
a sort of air gap in the pathway of the high voltage current. The High voltage will jump
the air gap and hence generates the spark.
References
https://www.quora.com/How-is-combustion-initiated-in-a-conventional-gasolinefueled-internal-combustion-engine
Problem
How is combustion initiated in a conventional diesel-fueled internal combustion
engine?
Discussion
In diesel engine air is sucked during suction stroke. Then it is compressed during
compression stroke. Due to compression of air, its temperature increases to around 400
C. At the same time fuel is injected at very high pressure into the combustion. Due to
high pressure of fuel, it injects into fine fuel droplets. These droplets are mixed with high
temp air. And starts vaporizing due to higher temperature. At higher temperature, pressure

air fuel mixture starts burning. And the combustion take place. When air is compressed, it
heats up. The piston in a Diesel engine compresses the air inside the cylinder, heating it
up to the flash point of the diesel fuel which then ignites, forcing the piston back down.
glow plugs are commonly fitted which electrically heat up the air in the combustion
chamber to assist starting when very cold. With older Diesel engines, there was
sometimes a cold start fitting on the fuel pump which temporarily over fuelled the engine,
the rough equivalent of a petrol engine choke.
References
https://www.quora.com/How-is-combustion-initiated-in-a-conventional-dieselfueled-internal-combustion-engine-1

Problem
Figure below shows two cold air-standard cycles: 1-2-3-4-1 is an Otto cycle and
1-2-3-4-5-1 is an over-expanded variation of the Otto cycle. The over-expanded cycle is
of interest today because it provides a model for the engine used in various production
hybrid-electric vehicles.
(a) Develop the following expression for the ratio of the thermal efficiency of the
over-expanded cycle to the thermal efficiency of the Otto cycle.
(b)
Plot the ratio obtained in part (a) versus r * ranging from 1 to 3 for the case
r = 8, k = 1.3, and q/cvT1 = 8.1.
(c)
Referring to your plot, draw conclusions about the performance of the
engines used in hybrid-electric vehicles modeled here by the over-expanded cycle.
Discussion

References

Problem
Listed below are the following factors that affect the performance of an engine (SI
and CI). Explain each:
0 Effect of compression ratio
a Effect of air/fuel ratio
b Effect of supercharging
c Effect of fuel properties
Discussion

a. The impact of compression ratios on the combustion and performance

parameters was clearly investigated in this study over the entire loading conditions at
various CR and The exhaust gas temperature showed a slight reduction when CR was
increased from 16 to 18 and the peak pressure showed a reduction of about 21%, 17%
and 10% when CR was reduced from 18 to 16 at no load, 50% load and full load
respectively and also the peak pressure moved towards TDC on increasing CR from 16 to
18.
References
Alexandria Engineering Journal Volume 54, Issue 4, December 2015, Pages 807
814http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S111001681500099X
Discussion
b. The air-fuel ratio was varied from stoichiometric limit (AFR = 34.33:1 based
on mass where the equivalence ratio = 1) to a very lean limit (AFR =171.65 based on
= 0.2) and engine speed varied from 2500 to 4500 rpm. Amount of hydrogen injected in
one cycle is approximately 22 mg cycle-1 with injection pulse duration of 4.4 m sec.

References
M.M.
Rahman, Moha
med
K.
Mohammed an
Rosli A. Bakar
2002

m
d
http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jas.2009.1128.1134

Discussion
c. Its observed With an increase in supercharging pressure, the performance of
the engine is gradually improving.Effect of the supercharging air flow rate values
increasing to diesel at all load. SFC (Specific fuel consumption) is gradually Reduction
with comparison to without supercharging.
References
S.Hassan And Z.A Zainal, Supercharger On The Performance
And Exhaust Gas Emission 04/2014/029
http://www.academia.edu/7370479/The_Effect_of_Supercharging_on_the_Perfor
mance_and_Exhaust_Gas_Emission_of_Diesel_Engine_Fueled_Of_Pyrolysis_Oi
l_of_Waste_Tyre_and_Diesel_Blend
Discussion

d. Fuel is required for an engine to produce work. Reciprocating internal

combustion engines are classified by the manner by which this fuel is ignited: spark
ignition (SI) or compression ignition (CI). The specific effects of changing a given fuel
property depend on many detailed parameters of the engine and combustion strategy in
which the fuel is used, as well as the conditions over which the engine is operated. SI
engines typically perform better with higher volatility fuels that resist auto ignition
(gasolines), while conventional CI engines tend to perform better with fuels exhibiting
the opposite volatility and auto ignition characteristics (diesel fuels). Fuels and engine
technologies are currently evolving, however, and as a result, these historical fuel
distinctions may become less relevant in the future. As such, it is important to understand
how the chemical composition of a fuel determines its operational attributes, including
autoignition quality and volatility.
References
EnginesFundamentals FuelsCharles J. Mueller, William J. Cannella Gautam T.
Kalghatgi, 22 APR 2014
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118354179.auto125/abstract