ME-431 IC Engines & Power Plants Lab

IC Engines and Power Plants Lab

Lab Report 01
Introduction to the IC Engine Lab and Demonstration on
Complete Vehicle

8th SEMESTER

Submitted to: LE Usman Ghani

Session: 2021 Section: ME-13 (C)

Submitted By:

Name CMS
Hamza Sohail Moghal 366518

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

 ME-431 IC Engines & Power Plants Lab

Objectives

• Introduction to the IC Engine lab

• Classification of IC engines based on different criteria
• Demonstration of different components in the IC Engine (both SI and CI engines) and
basic functional information regarding these components.
• Basic information about the function and working of different components in a
passenger vehicle, insights into intake air/fuel mixture flow throughout the engine
(from intake to exhaust), power transmission from power stroke to the wheels, oil
lubrication lines, brake assembly through sectioned vehicle.

Apparatus

4-stroke, 4-cylinder EFI Engine

Theoretical Background

Types of combustion Engines

Engines are mainly classified into two basic types based on the method of fuel (working fluid)
combustion.

• Internal Combustion Engine: In internal combustion (IC) engine, fuel (working

fluid) burns inside the engine combustion chamber and creates power. These are the
most used engines in cars, motorcycles, aircrafts and powerplants.
• External Combustion Engine: In case of external combustion (EC) engine, fuel
burns outside the engine, and the heat is transferred to the working fluid (steam, air
etc.) to generate power.

Classification of IC Engines

Internal Combustion engines can be classified into various types based on different criteria.
They can be summarized as.

1. Types of Ignition
2. Engine Cycle
3. Valve location
4. Basic Design
5. Position and number of cylinders in reciprocating engine
6. Air-Intake procedure
 ME-431 IC Engines & Power Plants Lab

7. Methods of fuel input in SI engines

8. Different fuels used
9. Applications of engines

Types of Ignition

Internal Combustion (IC) engines can be classified based on ignition type into:

1. Spark Ignition (SI) Engines – These engines use a spark plug to ignite the air-fuel
mixture. The spark plug generates an electric spark at the right moment, causing
controlled combustion. SI engines are commonly found in petrol-powered vehicles,
motorcycles, and small power generators.
2. Compression Ignition (CI) Engines – These rely on high compression pressure to
raise the temperature of the air inside the cylinder, which causes spontaneous ignition
of the injected fuel. Diesel engines operate on this principle and are widely used in
trucks, buses, ships, and heavy machinery due to their higher efficiency and torque
output.

Engine Cycle

IC engines operate on different thermodynamic cycles:

1. Otto Cycle – Used in gasoline engines, it follows a four-stroke process: intake,

compression, power, and exhaust. The fuel-air mixture is compressed and then ignited
 ME-431 IC Engines & Power Plants Lab

by a spark, producing power. This cycle is known for its efficiency in high-speed
applications.
2. Diesel Cycle – Found in diesel engines, it operates similarly to the Otto cycle but with
compression ignition. The fuel is injected at high pressure, combusting due to
compressed air heat. Diesel cycle engines are known for their fuel efficiency and
durability.
3. Dual Cycle – A combination of the Otto and Diesel cycles, this cycle incorporates
both constant volume and constant pressure heat addition processes. It is often used in
high-performance applications where efficiency and power are crucial.
4. Two-Stroke Cycle – Involves only two strokes per cycle: compression and power.
This results in power being generated every revolution of the crankshaft, making it
lightweight and suitable for motorcycles, outboard motors, and chainsaws.
5. Four-Stroke Cycle – Involves four strokes: intake, compression, power, and exhaust.
This cycle provides better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared to two-
stroke engines and is used in most automobiles and industrial engines.

Valve Location

1. Overhead Valve (OHV) – The valves are located in the cylinder head, controlled by
pushrods and rocker arms. This design improves combustion efficiency and provides
better durability.
2. Overhead Camshaft (OHC) – The camshaft is positioned above the cylinder head,
directly operating the valves, reducing friction and improving engine efficiency.
Variants include single overhead camshaft (SOHC) and double overhead camshaft
(DOHC) configurations.
3. Side Valve (SV) or Flathead – The valves are positioned beside the cylinder, within
the engine block. This design is now mostly obsolete due to its lower efficiency and
performance.

Basic Design

1. Reciprocating Engines – These use a piston-cylinder arrangement where the piston

moves up and down in the cylinder to produce power. Most IC engines in vehicles use
this design.
 ME-431 IC Engines & Power Plants Lab

2. Rotary Engines (Wankel Engine) – Instead of pistons, these engines use a rotating
triangular rotor within an oval chamber. They are compact and smooth but have lower
fuel efficiency and durability.

3. Radial Engines – Cylinders are arranged in a circular pattern around the crankshaft.
They were historically used in aircraft due to their power and cooling advantages.

Position and Number of Cylinders in Reciprocating Engines

1. Single Cylinder – Has one cylinder and piston, mainly used in motorcycles, small
generators, and lawnmowers.
2. Multi-Cylinder – Includes different configurations to balance performance and
efficiency.
o Inline Engines – Cylinders arranged in a single row, common in smaller cars
and motorcycles.
o V Engines – Cylinders arranged in two banks forming a 'V' shape, found in
high-performance and luxury cars.
 ME-431 IC Engines & Power Plants Lab

o Boxer (Flat) Engines – Cylinders are horizontally opposed, providing a lower

center of gravity and better stability.

Air-Intake Procedure

1. Naturally Aspirated Engines – Rely on atmospheric pressure for air intake,

commonly found in standard cars and motorcycles.
2. Turbocharged Engines – Use a turbine-driven compressor to force more air into the
engine, increasing power and efficiency.
3. Supercharged Engines – Utilize a mechanically driven compressor to boost intake
pressure, improving performance at all engine speeds.

Methods of Fuel Input in SI Engines

1. Carburetor System – Mixes air and fuel before entering the cylinder, commonly
found in older and small-engine vehicles.
2. Port Fuel Injection (PFI) – Injects fuel into the intake manifold before the
combustion chamber, improving efficiency and performance.
3. Direct Fuel Injection (GDI) – Injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber,
allowing precise control of fuel delivery, improving power and fuel economy.

Different Fuels Used

1. Gasoline (Petrol) – Commonly used in SI engines due to its high volatility and
efficiency.
2. Diesel – Used in CI engines, providing better fuel economy and torque.
3. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) – A cleaner-burning fuel, often used as an
alternative in automotive applications.
 ME-431 IC Engines & Power Plants Lab

4. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) – Environmentally friendly, used in buses and fleet
vehicles.
5. Ethanol and Methanol – Biofuels blended with gasoline to reduce emissions and
dependency on fossil fuels.
6. Hydrogen and Synthetic Fuels – Experimental fuels for cleaner combustion, used in
advanced and hybrid powertrains.

Applications of Engines

1. Automotive Engines – Used in cars, motorcycles, and trucks, designed for different
power and efficiency needs.
2. Aviation Engines – Found in aircraft and drones, requiring high reliability and
lightweight materials.
3. Marine Engines – Used in boats and ships, designed for high torque and endurance.
4. Industrial Engines – Power generators, construction equipment, and manufacturing
machinery, where efficiency and durability are essential.
5. Locomotive Engines – Used in railway transportation, typically diesel-powered for
long-haul efficiency.
6. Small Engines – Found in lawnmowers, chainsaws, and portable generators, designed
for lightweight and compact operation.

Lab Safety Precautions

1. Wear safety goggles to protect eyes from debris and fluids.
2. Use gloves to prevent cuts and exposure to chemicals.
3. Wear closed-toe shoes to protect feet from falling objects.
4. Ensure proper ventilation to avoid inhaling harmful fumes.
5. Disconnect the battery to prevent electrical shocks.
6. Turn off and drain fuel supply to avoid leaks and fire hazards.
7. Use designated tools to prevent damage and ensure proper handling.
8. Handle heavy parts carefully to avoid injuries.
9. Dispose of fluids properly to prevent environmental hazards.
10. Refer to the engine manual for correct disassembly procedures.