Internal combustion (IC) engines are most commonly used in different vehicles. These are the most efficient and high-performance engines. IC engines have multiple types, and a diesel engine is one of them. A diesel engine is also known as a compression ignition (CI) engine.
In this engine, the compression process occurs due to the high compression of air. This article properly explains the diesel engine working, types, and applications.
What is a Diesel Engine?
An engine in which diesel fuel is ignited due to high compression of air in the combustion chamber is known as a diesel engine. A diesel engine is also known as a compression ignition engine because, in this engine, ignition occurs due to the high compression of air.
In this engine, there is no use of a spark plug for ignition. In 1893, Rudolph Diesel invented the first diesel engine.
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A diesel engine has more efficiency than other internal combustion engines (i.e., gasoline engines). This is because it has the highest inherent lean burn and expansion ratio, which makes the heat to be dissipated by the excess air.
In 1910, these engines were used for ships and submarines. After some time, they have been used in applications like electricity-making power plants, agricultural equipment, heavy apparatus, trucks, and locomotives.
These types of engines are famous because of their longevity and durability. Diesel engines also have the ability to generate high levels of torque, which makes them suitable for use in heavy-duty vehicles.
History of Diesel Engine
Rudolf Diesel invented 1st diesel engine in 1878. He was a student at Polytechnikum in Munich. The diesel engine is named based on the name of Rudolf Diesel.
After working for many years, Diesel published his ideas about the diesel engine in 1893 in the essay “Theory and Construction of a Rational Heat Motor.”
Diesel used oils such as vegetable oils to invent his first engine as he had no formula for diesel infrastructure at that time. The very high compression ratio was used to generate the high pressure and high temperature required for automatic combustion. It was the main feature of the compression ignition engine.
A method of injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber was also required. Over time, the infrastructure of oil pollution became fuel such as gasoline (to support gasoline engines), petroleum and fuel oil (boiler room), and diesel oil.
Diesel Engine Cycle
The diesel engine completes a power stroke in two or four strokes of the piston. An explanation of the Diesel engine cycle working is given below with the help of the T-S and P-V diagrams:
1) Suction Process (0-1): –
- For the suction of air, the engine piston moves from TDC to BDC (downward stroke). As it moves downward, the fresh air starts entering the engine cylinder from the atmosphere.
- During this process, the exhaust valve remains closed, and the suction valve opens.
2) Isentropic Compression (1-2): –
- After suction, the suction valve closes, and the piston moves up (from BDC to TDC).
- During the piston’s upward motion, it compresses the air inside the cylinder.
- During the compression process, the temperature of the air increases from T1 to T2, the volume reduces from V1 to V2, and pressure rises from P1 to P2.
- However, during this whole process, there is no change in enthalpy (S1 = S2).
- This process is known as Isentropic because there is no change of enthalpy.
- In isentropic compression, the air is compressed up to such high temperature and pressure that the air-fuel mixture ignites itself, and it doesn’t need any extra external heat source or spark plug.
3) Heat Addition at Constant Pressure (2-3): –
- When highly compressed air reaches at point 2 (as shown in the PV and TS diagram), a fuel injector injects diesel fuel into the cylinder, which mixes with the compressed air.
- As the diesel fuel touches the compressed air, the air-fuel mixture ignites due to the high compression of air. This ignition process adds heat to the compressed air-fuel mixture.
- During this process, the piston becomes constant, and pressure also remains constant (P2=P3). However, enthalpy increases from S2 to S3, temperature increases from T2 to T3, and also volume increases from V2 to V3.
4) Isentropic Expansion (3-4): –
- In this process, the mixture expands into the cylinder.
- Due to the expansion, the heat of the ignited air-fuel mixture works on the piston and forces it to move down, which rotates the crankshaft. This rotation of the crankshaft further moves the car.
- During this whole process, the pressure of the mixture falls from P3 to P4, volume increases from V3 to V4, and temperature also reduces from T3 to T4. However, entropy doesn’t change S3=S4.
5) Constant Volume Heat Rejection (4-1): –
- After the expansion process, the piston further moves downward to remove the waste heat from the cylinder.
- In this process, entropy falls from S4 to S1, temperature up to T1, and pressure falls further to P1. However, volume remains unchanged (i.e.V4 = V1).
- After the removal of all waste heat, the piston again sucks air, and the whole process repeats.
Working Principle of Diesel Engine
The working of the diesel engine is different than the petrol or SI engine. A diesel engine works on the basic principle of the diesel cycle. A diesel engine cycle consists of four processes those are:
- Suction
- Compression
- Expansion and
- Exhaust Process
1) Suction Stroke: –
- The piston moves downward inside the combustion chamber in the early stage and produces a vacuum inside the cylinder.
- Due to the creation of a vacuum, a pressure difference generates between the outside and inside of the cylinder.
- Because of the pressure difference, the inlet valve is opened, the exhaust valve is closed, and air moves from the atmosphere into the combustion chamber.
2) Compression Stroke: –
- After the suction stroke, the inlet valve and outlet valve are closed, and the piston starts to move up (from BDC to TDC) for air compression. In this air compression process, the pressure and temperature of the air increase but the volume decrease.
- At the end of the compression stroke, the piston starts to move at a constant rate for some time, and fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, which mixes with compressed air.
- Due to the high compression of air, the fuel-air mixture ignites, and the internal heat of the mixture increases. During this heat addition process, the pressure of the air-fuel mixture remains constant (as shown in the above PV diagram of the Diesel engine cycle).
3) Power Stroke: –
- Due to the ignition of the air-fuel mixture, heat is released by the air-fuel mixture.
- The released heat performs work on the piston and pushes it downward.
- As the piston moves downward, the combusted mixture expands into the combustion chamber. This downward movement of the piston rotates the crankshaft and moves the vehicle.
4) Exhaust Stroke: –
- After the power stroke, the piston reaches at BDC, opens the exhaust valve, and pushes the exhaust gases out of the chamber.
- After the exhaust stroke, the piston moves again upward and repeats the whole cycle.
Read also: Petrol Engine Working
Parts of Diesel Engine
A compression ignition (CI) engine or diesel engine has below given major parts:
- Fuel system
- Cooling system
- Fuel filters
- Fuel system
- After-cooler
- Fuel injector
- Crankcase
- Turbocharger
- Camshaft
- Crankshaft
- Connecting rod
1) Fuel System
The fuel system has a separator, injector, fuel pump, fuel rails, fuel pressure regulator, fuel injection pump, and many other units. This system also has fuel filters used to filter the fuel and make it free from dust and other dirt. The main function of the fuel system is to ensure the fuel delivery to the combustion chamber.
2) Fuel Filters
The filters play a vital role in the safety of the engine. They remove impurities and contaminants from the fuel before it enters the combustion chamber.
The main purpose of the fuel filter is function is to prevent the fuel system and engine other parts from damage that can be caused by contaminated fuel.
3) Fuel Injector
The fuel injector is one of the most vital parts of the diesel engine. It ensures the proper supply of fuel to the engine. It works in such a way that it injects fuel into the combustion chamber as the compressed air enters the chamber.
5) Turbocharger
A turbocharger allows the engine to suck more air into the combustion chamber and increases the horsepower of the engine.
6) After-Cooler
It is utilized to decrease the intake air temperature.
7) Lubrication System
The lubrication system has the following major purposes:
- Eliminates foreign material from the engines.
- Make a connection between the piston ring and the cylinder.
- Decreases the wear and stops the seizure of the rubbing surface.
- Eliminates heat from the pistons and other moving components.
- Ensure the proper delivery of the engine oil to all the moving parts.
In the oil lubricating system, the various parts of the diesel engine lubricate under a high-pressure supply. This oil is stored in an oil sump. An oil pump is utilized to pump the oil and transfers it into a filter.
After passing through the filter, the oil falls into the main gallery. The main gallery oil is used to lubricate the main bearings.
After bearing lubrication, some amount of the oil goes back into the sump, some oil is used to lubricate the cylinder wall, and the left-over oil goes into the crankpin. The oil lubricates the piston ring by flowing from the crankpin to the piston pin through connecting rod’s hole.
Read More: Low Engine Oil Symptoms and Causes
8) Cooling System
A cooling system has many purposes in an engine. The most purposes of a cooling system are:
- It maintains an ideal temperature for the best efficiency of the engine in all situations.
- This system maintains the oil lubricating properties.
- It prevents the engine parts such as valves, pistons, cylinder heads, and cylinders from overheating.
9) Piston
It reciprocates inside the engine cylinder. It plays a big role to complete a power stroke. It is linked to the crankshaft via a connecting rod.
Read More: Piston Working and Construction
10) Crankshaft
The crankshaft takes power from the piston and uses this mechanical power to turn the vehicle wheels. One end of the crankshaft is connected to the connecting rod while other end is connected to the flywheel.
Read More: Crankshaft Working and Construction
Diesel Engine Efficiency
A diesel engine has high efficiency because of its high compression ratio. The lack of a throttle valve means very little air exchange loss, which consumes less fuel, particularly at medium and low loads. Due to these reasons, diesel engines are very economical.
According to Rudolf Diesel, the actual productivity of a diesel engine should be from 43.2% to 50.4% or more.
The actual efficiency of a diesel engine in the latest passenger cars can reach 43%, while engines in heavy diesel buses and trucks reach maximum efficiency of up to 45%. But, the driving cycle has less average efficiency than the maximum efficiency.
The maximum efficiency of a diesel engine is about 55%, which can achieve with a large 2-stroke marine diesel engine.
Types of Diesel Engines
The diesel engine has two major types that are:
- 4-stroke diesel engine
- 2-stroke diesel engine
1) 2-Stroke Diesel Engine
The 2-stroke diesel engine is a type of compression ignition engine that completes a power cycle in only two strokes of the piston. It ignites the fuel due to the high compression of air.
Advantages and disadvantages of Two-stroke Diesel Engine: –
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| They have a low weight. | The two-stroke diesel engine has unstable idling. |
| They have low cost. | These engines produce high pollution. |
| These engines can work in any position. | They have high noise. |
| These IC engines are easy to start. | They have high vibrations. |
| They have a simple mechanism. | These have scavenging issues. |
| They require low maintenance costs. | Low volumetric and thermal efficiency. |
Read more: Two-stroke Engine working
2) 4-Stroke Diesel Engine
It completes a power cycle after two revolutions of the crankshaft or four strokes of the piston. You can find these engines in heavy vehicles like buses, coaches, tractors, cars, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of 4-stroke Diesel Engine: –
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| This diesel engine has a high cost. | This diesel engine has high cost. |
| It has a high compression ratio. | They have a complex design. |
| They generate less pollution. | They are less powerful than a two-stroke engine. |
| They have high durability. | These engines have more parts. |
| They have high fuel efficiency. | They have a high weight. |
Read more: Four-stroke Engine working
Difference between Diesel Engine and Gasoline Engine
| Diesel Engine | Gasoline Engine |
|---|---|
| A diesel engine operates on the diesel cycle. | A gasoline engine operates on the Otto cycle. |
| It is more efficient. | It is less efficient. |
| They are depleted in heavy-duty automobiles like buses, tractors, cars, etc. | They are most commonly depleted in small vehicles like vans and bikes etc. |
| These are very expensive. | They have a low cost. |
| A diesel engine uses diesel which is very expensive. | A gasoline engine uses petrol or natural gas which is less expensive. |
| It has a high compression ratio. | It has a relatively low compression ratio. |
| These have high maintenance and initial costs. | These engines have low maintenance and initial costs. |
| Diesel fuel is more difficult to ignite. | The gasoline fuel is easy to ignite. |
| It produces high noise while working. | It produces less noise. |
| A diesel engine has low fuel consumption. | A gasoline engine has higher fuel consumption. |
Advantages of Diesel Engines
- It doesn’t require a spark plug for combustion.
- A diesel engine has high efficiency than a SI engine.
- It has high speed.
- It uses a smoke trap to improve the torque. If only a reduction of SW and protection is in operation, the pumping and pumping capacity can be reduced, and the capacity of the inlet channel can be increased. HC and CO can also be reduced.
- Diesel engines consume less fuel compared to gasoline engines.
- These engines require low maintenance as compared to petrol engines.
- A diesel engine generates more torque than a gasoline engine.
- They generate less CO2 emissions than gasoline engines
Disadvantages of Diesel Engines
- These engines require a high compression ratio for automatic ignition.
- A diesel engine has a high chance of crashing as compared to a petrol engine.
- If this engine will not control properly, it can permanently damage its components under high fire conditions.
- Diesel fuel may not be as widely available in some areas as gasoline.
- These engines have a high maintenance cost.
- Automobiles that have diesel engines are more expensive.
- Diesel fuel has a high price as compared to petrol fuel.
- They may be harder to start and operate in cold weather.
- They are heavier than petrol engines due to their larger size and extra parts.
- They are louder than gasoline engines.
- They generate higher nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (soot) than gasoline engines.
Applications of Diesel Engines
- Marine Vessels: They use to power marine vessels, like cruise ships and cargo ships, because of their high fuel efficiency and torque output and.
- Transportation: Diesel engines are most commonly used in cars, tractors, buses, trucks, and other heavy-duty vehicles because of their high fuel efficiency and torque output.
- Construction and Industrial Equipment: They use to power different industrial and construction equipment, such as generators, excavators, and bulldozers, because of their capability to ensure high torque and reliable operation in severe situations.
- Agriculture: Diesel engines are used to power different agricultural machinery, including harvesters and tractors.
- Military: They power different military vehicles and equipment because of their high reliability, durability, and capacity to work in harsh situations.
- Locomotives: They are employed in marine vessels and locomotives because of their capability to deliver reliable and efficient power.
- Power Generation: The are used in various power generation applications, such as in backup generators for offices, houses, data centers and hospitals.
- Mining: Diesel engines power various mining equipment, including excavators and haul trucks.
FAQ Section
Is diesel engine better or petrol engine?
A diesel engine is better than a petrol engine because it emits less CO2 compared to a petrol engine. Diesel engines are more efficient than petrol engines, but they have a high cost.
Diesel engines have a high capability to move heavy weights because they produce more torque than petrol engines. Therefore, diesel engines are most commonly used in heavy-load vehicles.
What are the problems with diesel engines?
- Diesel engines are difficult to start in cold conditions.
- They have a high construction cost.
- They have heavyweight and large size.
- The diesel engine is used diesel fuel which is very high thicker than petrol fuel. Due to this, diesel fuel has a high chance to get contamination.
Diesel engine works on which cycle?
A diesel engine works on the diesel cycle.
What are the parts of a diesel engine?
The diesel engine has the following parts:
- After-cooler
- Fuel system
- Crankshaft
- Cooling system
- Camshaft
- Fuel filters
- Fuel injector
- Crankcase
- Fuel system
- Piston
What are the types of Diesel engine?
A diesel engine has the following two major types:
- 4-stroke engine
- 2-stroke engine
Do diesel engines have spark plugs?
A diesel engine doesn’t have a spark plug. The reason is that, in this engine, ignition occurs due to the high compression of air.
Who invented the diesel engine?
Rudolf Diesel discovered the diesel engine in the 1890s.
What happens if you put gas in a diesel engine?
Diesel fuel is designed in such a way that it doesn’t require any external heat source (such as a spark plug) for ignition, while gasoline fuel can’t ignite without a spark plug. Therefore, if you put gas into your diesel engine, your engine will not ignite it, and the engine will not start.
