The dual cycle for ICEs

Approximating the combustion process in internal combustion engines as a constant-volume or a constantpressure heat-addition process is overly simplistic and not quite realistic. Probably a better (but slightly more complex) approach would be to model the combustion process in both gasoline and diesel engines as a combination of two heat-transfer processes, one at constant volume and the other at constant pressure. The ideal cycle based on this concept is called the dual cycle

P=cte

v=cte

The relative amounts of heat transferred during each process can be adjusted through a proper choice of the pressure ratio rp =Px/P2. Note that both the actual Otto and Diesel cycles can be approximated more closely by the ideal dual cycle by adjusting the values of r, rc and rp.
1 2 3 2 3 3 = 2 2

r, rc and rp are defined as r =

rc =

and rp =

Let us derive the expression of the thermal efficiency of the dual cycle. qin = qin (2-x) + qin (x-3) = cv ( Tx - T2 ) + cp ( T3 Tx) qout = cv ( T4 T1 ) and wnet = qin - qout
4 1 2 + 3

so that =

= 1-

=1-

devide by cv T1 up and down

4 1 1 1 2 1 + 3 1 1

= 1 -

Factor out 2 /1 in denominator

4 1 1 2 1 2 1 + 2 1 3 2 2

= 1 -

or
1

= 1 - 2 1 or
1

4 1 1 3 2 2 + 2 1

= 1 - 2 1

4 1 1 ( 2 ) 3 1 + 2 1

(*)

Lets determine the temperature ratios according to the r, rc and rp

2 1

Process 1-2 isentropic

1 (1 )1 = 1 (1 )1
2 2 2 2

= ( 1 )1
2

2 1 2

= 1

Process 2-x at v = cte

Process x-3 at P= cte

3 3

Process 3-4 isentropic

4 3

3) = ( 4

3 = (

3 2 1 1 ) = ( ) 4 1

4 3

= ( )1

Rewrite

4 1 4 1

4 3

2 1

and use previous expressions

= ( )1 1 =

Replace in equ. (*)

= 1 - 1

1 1 + 1