STRATIFIED CHARGE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Internal combustion engines or popularly known as IC Engines are life line of human society which mostly served as a mobile, portable energy generator and extensively used in the transportation around the world. 

There are many types of IC Engines, but among them two types known as petrol or SI engines and diesel or CI engines are well established. Most of the automotive vehicles run on either of the engines. Despite their wide popularity and extensive uses, they are not fault free. 

Both SI Engines and CI Engines have their own demerits and limitations. 


Limitations of SI Engines (Petrol Engines) 

Although petrol engines have very good full load power characteristics, but they show very poor performances when run on part load. 

Petrol engines have high degree of air utilisation and high speed and flexibility but they can not be used for high compression ratio due to knocking and detonation. 

Limitations of CI or Diesel Engines: 

On the other hand, Diesel engines show very good part load characteristics but very poor air utilisation, and produces unburnt particulate matters in their exhaust. They also show low smoke limited power and higher weight to power ratio. 

The use of very high compression ratio for better starting and good combustion a wide range of engine operation is one of the most important compulsion in diesel engines. High compression ratio creates additional problems of high maintenance cost and high losses in diesel engine operation. 

For an automotive engine both part load efficiency and power at full load are very important issues as 90% of their operating cycle, the engines work under part load conditions and maximum power output at full load controls the speed, acceleration and other vital characteristics of the vehicle performance. 

Both the Petrol and Diesel engines fail to meet the both of the requirements as petrol engines show good efficiency at full load but very poor at part load conditions, where as diesel engines show remarkable performance at part load but fail to achieve good efficiency at full load conditions. 

Therefore, there is a need to develop an engine which can combines the advantages of both petrol and diesel engines and at the same time avoids their disadvantages as far as possible. 

Working Procedures: 

Stratified charged engine is an attempt in this direction. It is an engine which is at mid way between the homogeneous charge SI engines and heterogeneous charge CI engines. 

Charge Stratification means providing different fuel-air mixture strengths at various places inside the combustion chamber. 

It provides a relatively rich mixture at and in the vicinity of spark plug, where as a leaner mixture in the rest of the combustion chamber. 

Hence, we can say that fuel-air mixture in a stratified charge engine is distributed in layers or stratas of different mixture strengths across the combustion chamber and burns overall a leaner fuel-air mixture although it provides a rich fuel-air mixture at and around spark plug. 

CARBURETTOR AND THE PROCESS OF CARBURETION

 

CARBURETOR                                                                                  Subhankar Karmakar

DEFINITION: A carburetor is a device that mixes air and fuel in the correct proportion for combustion in an internal combustion engine. The process of mixing air and fuel in a carburetor is known as carburetion.

STRUCTURE: The carburetor has a narrow opening called the throttle, which controls the amount of air that enters the engine. When the throttle is opened, air is drawn into the carburetor and mixed with fuel. The amount of fuel that is mixed with the air is controlled by a valve called the fuel valve, which regulates the flow of fuel into the carburetor.

 

Once the air and fuel are mixed, the resulting mixture is drawn into the engine through the intake manifold. The fuel and air mixture is then ignited by a spark plug, which causes the fuel to burn and produce energy. This energy is used to power the engine and propel the vehicle.

 

The carburetor must be adjusted to ensure that the fuel and air mixture is correct for the specific engine and driving conditions. If the mixture is too lean (too much air and not enough fuel), the engine will run poorly and may even overheat. If the mixture is too rich (too much fuel and not enough air), the engine may run rough and produce excessive emissions.

 

Carburetors were commonly used in older cars, but they have been largely replaced by fuel injection systems in modern vehicles. However, they are still used in some small engines, such as those found in lawnmowers and chainsaws.

 

CARBURETOR IN PETROL ENGINE:

 

A carburetor is a device that mixes air and fuel in the correct ratio before it enters the engine's combustion chamber. It was commonly used in older petrol (gasoline) engines before the advent of electronic fuel injection systems.

 

The basic principle of operation of a carburetor is that it uses a venturi, a narrow section of the carburetor through which air is forced to flow at high speed. As the air moves through the venturi, it creates a vacuum that draws fuel into the airflow, which mixes with the air and forms a combustible mixture.

 

The carburetor consists of several components, including a throttle valve, a choke, an idle speed adjustment screw, and a fuel bowl. The throttle valve controls the amount of air entering the engine, while the choke is used to enrich the air-fuel mixture when starting the engine. The idle speed adjustment screw regulates the engine's idle speed, while the fuel bowl stores the fuel that is drawn into the carburetor.

 

While modern petrol engines typically use electronic fuel injection systems, carburetors are still used in some older engines, as well as in small engines such as those used in lawnmowers, chainsaws, and other small equipment.

 

CARBURETOR IN DIESEL ENGINE:

 

A carburetor is a device used in gasoline engines to mix air and fuel in the correct proportions before it enters the engine cylinders for combustion.

 

However, diesel engines do not use carburetors. Instead, they use a fuel injection system, which injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber at the appropriate time, under high pressure.

 

In a diesel engine, air is compressed in the cylinder, causing it to heat up. When the air is hot enough, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, where it ignites spontaneously due to the high temperature and pressure, without the need for a spark plug.

 

The fuel injection system in a diesel engine is more complex than a carburetor and requires precise control over the amount and timing of fuel injection to optimize combustion efficiency and reduce emissions.

COMPONENTS OF A CARBURETOR:

Carburetor in Petrol (Gasoline) Engine:

A carburetor is a crucial component in older petrol engines, responsible for mixing air and fuel in the correct ratio before it enters the engine's combustion chamber. Here's a more detailed breakdown of its components and operation:

1. Venturi Principle: The core principle behind a carburetor's function is the Venturi effect. A venturi is a narrow section within the carburetor where air is forced to flow at high speeds. As air passes through the venturi, it accelerates, creating a region of low pressure. This low-pressure area effectively "sucks" fuel from a reservoir into the air stream.
2. Throttle Valve: The throttle valve, also known as the butterfly valve, controls the amount of air entering the engine. When you press the accelerator pedal, it opens the throttle valve wider, allowing more air to pass through, and vice versa.
3. Choke: The choke is a mechanism used to enrich the air-fuel mixture when starting a cold engine. By restricting the airflow, it increases the fuel-to-air ratio, making it easier for the engine to start in cold conditions.
4. Idle Speed Adjustment Screw: This screw allows adjustment of the engine's idle speed. By controlling the amount of air allowed to bypass the closed throttle valve, it regulates the engine's speed when it's not under load.
5. Fuel Bowl: The fuel bowl is a reservoir that stores fuel. Fuel is drawn from the bowl into the venturi as needed to maintain the correct air-fuel mixture.

Carburetor in Diesel Engine:

Diesel engines operate differently from petrol engines, and they do not use carburetors. Instead, they employ a fuel injection system, which works as follows:

1. Compression Ignition: Diesel engines rely on high compression ratios to generate the heat needed for ignition. As air is compressed within the cylinder, its temperature increases significantly. When the piston reaches the top of its compression stroke, fuel is directly injected into the hot, highly compressed air.
2. Fuel Injection System: Diesel fuel injection systems are highly precise and operate under high pressure. They consist of injectors that spray a fine mist of diesel fuel directly into the combustion chamber at the precise moment required for ignition. The injection timing and quantity are controlled electronically or mechanically for optimal efficiency and emissions control.
3. No Spark Plugs: Unlike petrol engines, diesel engines do not require spark plugs because the high temperature and pressure in the cylinder are sufficient to ignite the fuel without the need for an external spark.

While carburetors were widely used in older petrol engines, diesel engines operate on a different principle altogether, using fuel injection systems to introduce fuel directly into the combustion chamber. Modern petrol engines have also largely transitioned to electronic fuel injection systems due to their efficiency and emissions control advantages. Carburetors are still found in some older engines and small equipment, but they are becoming increasingly rare in automotive applications.

 

IC ENGINES AND COMBUSTION CHAMBER

IC ENGINES :

IC engines, or internal combustion engines, are engines in which combustion of fuel and air occurs within the engine cylinder, converting the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical energy to perform work. The combustion chamber is a critical component of an IC engine, as it is the location where combustion occurs.

COMBUSTION CHAMBER:

The combustion chamber is typically located at the top of the cylinder in a reciprocating engine, or in the center of the combustion chamber in a rotary engine. It is designed to confine the fuel and air mixture to a small volume, allowing for efficient and controlled combustion.

The shape and size of the combustion chamber can have a significant impact on the performance and efficiency of the engine. The shape of the combustion chamber can affect the way that the fuel and air mixture is mixed and ignited, as well as the speed at which the flame front propagates through the mixture. The size of the combustion chamber can affect the compression ratio of the engine, which in turn affects the power output and fuel efficiency of the engine.

There are various types of combustion chambers used in IC engines, including the traditional spark ignition chamber and the compression ignition chamber. The spark ignition chamber is typically used in gasoline engines, where a spark plug is used to ignite the fuel and air mixture. The compression ignition chamber is typically used in diesel engines, where the fuel is ignited by the heat generated by compressing the air in the cylinder.

Overall, the design of the combustion chamber is a critical factor in the performance and efficiency of an IC engine, and careful attention must be paid to its design in order to optimize engine performance.

COMPONENTS OF A COMBUSTION CHAMBER:

The combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine is typically composed of several key components that work together to promote efficient combustion of the fuel and air mixture. The following are some of the common components of a combustion chamber:

• Cylinder Head:

The cylinder head is the top part of the engine cylinder that contains the combustion chamber. It is typically bolted onto the engine block and is responsible for sealing the combustion chamber and providing a mounting point for the valves, spark plugs, and fuel injectors.

• Piston:

The piston is a cylindrical component that moves up and down within the engine cylinder. It is responsible for compressing the air/fuel mixture and transmitting the force generated by combustion to the crankshaft.

• Valves:

The valves are located in the cylinder head and are responsible for controlling the flow of air and fuel into the combustion chamber and the flow of exhaust gases out of the engine. There are typically two types of valves: intake valves and exhaust valves.

• Spark Plug:

The spark plug is a small device that is used to ignite the fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber. It generates an electrical spark that ignites the mixture and initiates the combustion process.

• Fuel Injector:

The fuel injector is responsible for delivering fuel into the combustion chamber in a precise and controlled manner. It typically uses a high-pressure fuel system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber at the correct time and in the correct amount.

• Combustion Chamber Walls:

The walls of the combustion chamber are typically made of high-strength materials such as steel or aluminum. They are designed to withstand the high temperatures and pressures generated by combustion and to provide a seal for the combustion gases.

• Intake and Exhaust Ports:

The intake and exhaust ports are openings in the cylinder head that allow air and fuel to enter the combustion chamber and exhaust gases to exit the engine. Overall, the components of a combustion chamber work together to promote efficient and controlled combustion of the fuel and air mixture, maximizing engine performance and efficiency.

DESIGNING CRITERIA OF A COMBUSTION CHAMBER:

The design of a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine is a critical factor in determining the performance, efficiency, and emissions of the engine. The following are some of the key criteria that must be considered in the design of a combustion chamber:

• Air/Fuel Mixture:

The combustion chamber must be designed to provide proper mixing of air and fuel. This is necessary to ensure efficient combustion and minimize emissions.

• Flame Propagation:

The combustion chamber must be designed to promote fast and efficient flame propagation. This is necessary to ensure that the fuel is burned completely and to maximize power output.

• Compression Ratio:

The combustion chamber must be designed to achieve the desired compression ratio. This is important for determining the engine's power output and fuel efficiency.

• Combustion Efficiency:

The combustion chamber must be designed to promote complete combustion of the fuel. This is necessary to minimize emissions and maximize fuel efficiency.

• Turbulence:

The combustion chamber must be designed to promote turbulence in the air/fuel mixture. This is important for promoting efficient combustion and minimizing emissions.

• Wall Heat Transfer:

The combustion chamber must be designed to minimize heat transfer to the cylinder walls. This is important for reducing engine heat loss and maximizing power output.

• Knock Resistance:

The combustion chamber must be designed to resist engine knock. This is important for maximizing power output and engine efficiency.

• Emissions:

The combustion chamber must be designed to minimize emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM). This is important for meeting emissions regulations and minimizing environmental impact. Overall, the design of the combustion chamber is a complex process that requires consideration of multiple factors. Careful attention to these criteria is necessary to optimize engine performance and meet emissions regulations.

FAILURE CRITERIA OF COMBUSTION CHAMBER:

The failure of a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine can be catastrophic and can result in engine damage, reduced performance, or even complete engine failure. The following are some of the common failure criteria of a combustion chamber:

• Overheating:

One of the most common failure modes of a combustion chamber is overheating. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a lean air/fuel mixture, excessive compression, or a malfunctioning cooling system. Overheating can cause cracking or warping of the combustion chamber, leading to leaks or even catastrophic failure.

• Detonation:

Detonation occurs when the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber detonates spontaneously instead of burning in a controlled manner. This can be caused by factors such as excessive compression, hot spots in the combustion chamber, or low-quality fuel. Detonation can cause the combustion chamber to deform or crack, leading to reduced engine performance or even complete engine failure.

• Pre-ignition:

Pre-ignition occurs when the fuel in the combustion chamber ignites before the spark plug fires. This can be caused by factors such as hot spots in the combustion chamber, high compression, or low-quality fuel. Pre-ignition can cause damage to the combustion chamber and other engine components, leading to reduced engine performance or even complete engine failure.

• Corrosion:

Corrosion can occur in the combustion chamber due to the corrosive nature of the fuel or the combustion process itself. Corrosion can weaken the walls of the combustion chamber, leading to cracks or other types of damage that can compromise engine performance.

• Mechanical Damage:

Mechanical damage to the combustion chamber can occur due to improper installation, poor maintenance, or external factors such as debris striking the engine. This type of damage can cause leaks or other types of damage that can affect engine performance or even cause complete engine failure. Overall, the failure of a combustion chamber can have severe consequences for engine performance and reliability. Regular maintenance and proper operation of the engine can help to prevent these failure modes and ensure the long-term reliability and performance of the engine.