Thermodynamic Engine Cycle Simulations   

Thermodynamic simulations have been developed for spark-ignition engines. These simulations provide detail

descriptions of the working fluid during the engine cycle. These details include the cylinder pressure as a function of crank angle. From the instantaneous cylinder pressure, the engine performance parameters may be determined as functions of engine design and operational variables.

These engine cycle simulations are available in both professional and instructional versions. The professional versions are developed for funded research programs to assist clients in understanding and improving existing engines, or for developing new engines. In addition to the typical computational outputs, these simulations also use the second law of thermodynamics to provide further insight on the engine processes.

The instructional versions of these simulations are used in our academic courses on internal combustion engines. These instructional versions of the simulations retain the important features necessary to illustrate the use of cycle simulations.

The major simplification of these simulations is the use of air as the working substance as opposed to complete descriptions of the working fluids. [Read more...]