Combustion engine cycles

Based on combustion process, the engine cycles are classified as internal combustion engine cycles
such as Otto, Diesel and Brayton (vehicular engines and gas turbines) or external combustion engine
cycles such as Rankine (steam turbines).

The internal combustion engine cycles are further classified according to their heat addition process based on
constant pressure heat addition (such as Brayton cycle) or constant volume heat addition (Otto and Diesel car
and truck engines).

FOR CONSTANT PRESSURE :

1. Brayton Cycle :

The Brayton cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that describes the workings of a constant-pressure heat engine
.It is the idealization of the gas turbine cycle .

Working Principle :

 Process 1-2 : Fresh air enters the compressor at ambient temperature where its pressure and
temperature are increased i.e. isentropic compression (in compressor).
 Process 2-3: The high pressure air enters the combustion chamber where the fuel is burned at constant
pressure i.e. const. pressure heat-additions (in combustion chamber).
 Process 3-4: The high temperature (and pressure) gas enters the turbine where it expands to ambient
pressure and produces work i.e. isentropic expansion (in turbine).
 Process 4-1: After producing work , heat is rejected i.e. const. pressure heat rejection (exhaust)

EFFIECIENY IS GIVEN BY:

Efficiency = 1-(t2 / t1) = 1-(P1 /P2)^(α-1)/α α=heat capacity ratio

2. RANKINE CYCLE :
The Rankine cycle is an idealized thermodynamic cycle of a heat engine that converts heat into
mechanical work while undergoing phase change. The heat is supplied externally to a closed
loop, which usually uses water as the working fluid. It is the idealized cycle for steam power
plants.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:
 Process 1-2: Water is converted into steam at constant pressure by the addition of heat in the
boiler.
 Process 2-3: Reversible adiabatic expansion of steam in the steam turbine.
 Process 3-4: Constant pressure heat rejection in the condenser to convert condensate into
water.
 Process 4-1: Water from the condenser at low pressure is pumped into the boiler at high
pressure. This process is reversible adiabatic.
EFIICIENCY IS GIVEN BY :
Efficiency(thermal) = W(turibe)(per hr) /Q(in)per hr
3. DIESEL CYCLE :
The diesel engine is a type of internal combustion engine and also know as Compression
Ignition Engine . The fuel in a diesel engine is ignited by suddenly exposing it to the high
temperature and pressure of a compressed gas containing oxygen (usually atmospheric air),
rather than a separate source of ignition energy (such as a spark plug).

WORKING PRINCIPLE :
 Process 1-2: Compression Stroke i.e. Adiabatic compression of air in the cylinder. No fuel
added yet.
 Process 2-3: Ignition i.e. isobaric heat addition. Fuel introduced into the compressed air at
the top of the compression stroke. Fuel mixture ignited while the pressure is constant.
 Process 3-4: Expansion (Power Stroke) i.e. Adiabatic expansion of hot gases in cylinder.
 Process 4-1: Exhaust and Induction Stroke i.e. Ejection of the hot gases and intake of the
next air charge to the cylinder

CONSTANT VOLUME:

4. OTTO CYCLE: (Diesel Engine for two and four stroke works on OTTO)
The air-standard-Otto cycle is the idealized cycle for the spark-ignition internal combustion engines. In
the Diesel cycle, heat is supplied at constant pressure whereas in the Otto cycle heat is supplied at
constant volume. Otto cycle ignites the fuel by rapid compression of the fuel air mixture to a higher
pressure rather than using a spark as used in diesel engine.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:
 Process 1-2: Compression Stroke i.e. Adiabatic compression of air / fuel mixture in the cylinder.
 Process 2-3: Ignition of the compressed air / fuel mixture at the top of the compression stroke
while the volume is constant.
 Process 3-4: Expansion (Power) Stroke i.e. Adiabatic expansion of the hot gases in the cylinder.
 Process 4-1: Exhaust and Induction Stroke i.e. Ejection of the hot gases and intake of the
next air charge to the cylinder