In: Physics
Did you know that diesel engines don’t have spark plugs? The cycle that diesel engines undergo involves adiabatically compressing the air in the cylinder, then injecting some fuel. When the fuel is injected it ignites if the temperature of the air in the cylinder is above the fuel’s flashpoint. Most diesel engines have a compression ratio (the ratio of the maximum to minimum volume) between 14:1 and 25:1.
a) For the given range of compression ratios, what is the range of maximum temperature (in oC) of the air in the cylinder, assuming the air is taken into the cylinder at 20oC?
b) Most gasoline engines today have compression ratios of 8:1. Explain why a diesel engine requires a better more efficient cooling system than a gasoline engine.