The losses in an internal combustion engine are dominated by thermal and parasitic sources. The latter arises from mechanical inefficiencies inherent within the system, particularly friction in load bearing conjunctions such as the piston assembly. During idle and at low engine speeds, frictional losses are the major contributor to the overall engine losses as opposed to the dominant contribution of thermal losses under other driving conditions. Given the relatively small size and simple structure of the top compression ring, it has a disproportionate contribution to the total frictional losses. This suggests further analysis would be required to understand the underlying causes of compression ring behaviour throughout the engine cycle. The available literature on tribological analyses of compression rings does not account for the transient ring elastodynamics. They usually assume a rigid ring for film thickness and power loss predictions, which is not representative of the ring's dynamic response. A combined study of ring elastodynamic behaviour and its tribological conjunction is a comprehensive approach.

[pt] É realizado um estudo teórico experimental sobre motores a combustão interna operando com taxa de compressão variável. É feita uma análise teórica sobre determinado mecanismo que permite variar a taxa de compressão. Para tal foi utilizado um programa de simulação para motores com ignição por centelha. No presente trabalho o modelo de simulação foi aprimorado, com a inclusão de previsão de detonação, de emissão de hidrocarbonetos, do cálculo da potencia de atrito, assim como a inclusão do dispositivo do mecanismo de taxa de compressão variável, entre outras alterações. Uma parte experimental foi também realizada, como o objetivo de validar os resultados do modelo teórico e de quantificar os benefícios proporcionados pelo mecanismo em questão. Para tal um motor de pesquisa de combustível – motor CFR – foi utilizado. Uma comparação dos resultados teóricos e experimentais obtidos no presente trabalho com os de outros pesquisadores é também apresentada. / [en] The present work is concerned with a theoretical and expererimental study of variable compression ratio spark ignition internal combustion engines. A theoretical analysis of the engine, operating with a mechanism allows for variable compression ratio, is carried out. For that a simulation program is utilized. In the present work the simulation model was updated with the inclusion of friction, knocking and hidrocarbon emission models, among other things. An experimental work was also carried out, with a CFR engine. The objective was a wo-fold to validade the results of the theoretical model and to assens the benefits of running an engine with variable compression ratio. A comparison is also made between the rrsults of the present work and those from other authors.

This thesis discusses the thermoeconomic modeling and simulation of micro-CHP systems powered by various prime movers. Micro Cooling, Heating, and Power (micro-CHP) is becoming an increasingly important energy option as the demand for electrical power as well as heating and cooling for buildings increases worldwide. Micro-CHP has the potential to increase the total energy efficiency for cooling, heating, and powering residences, offices, and other relatively small buildings by using waste thermal energy from electricity production to deliver heating and cooling. Calculation methodologies are presented for the different components of micro CHP systems using thermodynamic cycles and mass and energy balances. System performance characteristics are calculated and compared for different prime movers using various fuels. Performance characteristics that are compared include fuel consumption, monthly energy savings, and system energy efficiencies.

No description available.

<p>Biomass is one of the main natural resources in Sweden.Increased utilisation of biomass for energy purposes incombined heat and power (CHP) plants can help the country meetits nuclear phase-out commitment. The present low-CO2 emissioncharacteristics of the Swedish electricity production system(governed by hydropower and nuclear power) can be retained onlyby expansion of biofuels in the CHP sector. Domestic Swedishbiomass resources are vast and renewable, but not infinite.They should be utilised as efficiently as possible in order tomeet the conditions for sustainability in the future.Application of efficient power generation cycles at low cost isessential for meeting this challenge. This applies also tomunicipal solid waste (MSW) incineration with energyextraction, which is to be preferred to landfilling.</p><p>Modern gas turbines and internal combustion engines firedwith natural gas have comparatively low installation costs,good efficiency characteristics and show reliable performancein power applications. Environmental and source-of-supplyfactors place natural gas at a disadvantage as compared tobiofuels. However, from a rational perspective, the use ofnatural gas (being the least polluting fossil fuel) togetherwith biofuels contributes to a diverse and more secure resourcemix. The question then arises if both these fuels can beutilised more efficiently if they are employed at the samelocation, in one combined cycle unit.</p><p>The work presented herein concentrates on the hybriddual-fuel combined cycle concept in cold-condensing and CHPmode, with a biofuel-fired bottoming steam cycle and naturalgas fired topping gas turbine or engine. Higher electricalefficiency attributable to both fuels is sought, while keepingthe impact on environment at a low level and incorporating onlyproven technology with standard components. The study attemptsto perform a generalized and systematic evaluation of thethermodynamic advantages of various hybrid configurations withthe help of computer simulations, comparing the efficiencyresults to clearly defined reference values.</p><p>Results show that the electrical efficiency of hybridconfigurations rises with up to 3-5 %-points in cold-condensingmode (up to 3 %-points in CHP mode), compared to the sum of twosingle-fuel reference units at the relevant scales, dependingon type of arrangement and type of bottoming fuel. Electricalefficiency of utilisation of the bottoming fuel (biomass orMSW) within the overall hybrid configuration can increase withup to 8-10 %-points, if all benefits from the thermalintegration are assigned to the bottoming cycle and effects ofscale on the reference electrical efficiency are accounted for.All fully-fired (windbox) configurations show advantages of upto 4 %-points in total efficiency in CHP mode with districtheating output, when flue gas condensation is applied. Theadvantages of parallel-powered configurations in terms of totalefficiency in CHP mode are only marginal. Emissions offossil-based CO2 can be reduced with 20 to 40 kg CO2/MWhel incold-condensing mode and with 5-8 kg CO2 per MWh total outputin CHP mode at the optimum performance points.</p><p>Keywords: Biomass, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Natural Gas,Simulation, Hybrid, Combined Cycle, Gas Turbine, InternalCombustion Engine, Utilization, Electrical Efficiency, TotalEfficiency, CHP.</p>

In the first part of studies, Controlled Auto-Ignition (CAI) combustion was investigated in a Ricardo E6 single cylinder, four stroke gasoline engine. CAI combustion is achieved by employing positive valve overlap configuration in combination with various compression ratios and intake air temperature strategies. The CAI operational region is limited by engine load due to knock and partial burned boundaries. The combustion characteristics and emissions are studied in order to understand the major advantages and drawbacks of CAI combustion with positive valve overlap. The enlargement of the CAI operational region is obtained by boosting intake air and external EGR. The lean-boosted operation elevators the range of CAI combustion to the higher load region, and the use of external EGR allows the engine to operation with CAI combustion in the mid range of region between boosted and N/A CAI operational range. The results are analyzed and combustion characteristics, performance and emissions are investigated. A Ricardo Hydra single cylinder, four stroke optical gasoline engine with optical access is then experimented to investigate CAI combustion through negative valve overlap configuration and an intake heater. The effects of direct fuel injection timings spark timings and air/fuel ratio are studied by means of simultaneous incylinder heat release study and direct visualization, chemiluminescence techniques which uses full, OH radical and CHO species. Both heat release analysis and chemiluminescence results have identified the pressure of minor combustion during the NVO period. Both the charge cooling and local air/fuel ratio effects are also investigated by varying the quantity of direct air injection.

Desde a sua invenção, o motor a combustão interna sofreu significantes evoluções, como redução do consumo de combustível, aumento da sua potência e durabilidade a um menor custo. Outros setores também evoluíram, como a busca por alternativas de combustível, tendo como exemplo o etanol hidratado combustível, que trouxe vantagens tais como maior desempenho e menor emissão de poluentes, porém com solicitações mecânicas, térmicas e termomecânicas mais severas. Sua menor lubricidade, quando comparada a da gasolina tipo C também intensificou o desgaste no par tribológico válvula e sede de válvula. Neste trabalho foram analisados diversos pares de válvulas e sedes de válvulas provenientes de quatro motores pós teste, sendo dois deles de mesma especificação técnica e submetidos às mesmas condições de ensaio, variando somente o combustível utilizado (etanol hidratado combustível e gasolina comum tipo C). A topografia da superfície de contato foi avaliada através de exames das superfícies com lupa estereoscópica, microscópio eletrônico de varredura e perfilômetro óptico a fim de identificar os danos encontrados. Ao término das análises foi realizada a comparação dos danos encontrados entre a superfície de contato das válvulas e sedes do motor que operou com etanol hidratado combustível e gasolina comum tipo C, de forma a evidenciar as diferenças proporcionadas pelos combustíveis. Este trabalho faz parte do \"Consórcio de P&D e Desafios Tribológicos em Motores Flex-Fuel\" patrocinado pela FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) com participação da indústria automotiva, para identificar os modos de desgaste atuantes. / Since its invention the internal combustion engine presented significant improvements like lower fuel consumption, higher power and durability increase at reduced costs. Other industries sectors did also improve as the search for new alternative fuels such as hydrated ethanol fuel which brought advantages like higher performance with lower pollutant emissions, although with it came more severe mechanical, thermal and thermo-mechanic stresses. Ethanol lower lubricity when compared to type C gasolines did also increase the valve/ valve seat insert wear. This study presents the results of contact surface analysis of several pairs valve/ valve seat insert from four engines after test being two of them of same technical specification and submitted to the same test cycle with only difference their fuel (hydrated ethanol and regular type C gasoline). The contact surface topography was evaluated through surface exams using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope and non-contact profiler, to evaluate damages. At the end of analysis, a comparison between valves and valve seats from the engines that operated with hydrated ethanol and regular type C gasoline in order to put in evidence the damage difference provided by the fuels. This study is part of \"Consórcio de P&D e Desafios Tribológicos em Motores Flex-Fuel\", sponsored by FAPESP (\"Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo\") with participation of automotive industries, to characterize the existent wear.

A utilização de combustíveis alternativos em MCI, visa a substituição ou a redução do consumo de combustíveis fósseis. Qualquer estudo do desenvolvimento de métodos e técnicas que melhore o desempenho dos motores usando combustíveis alternativos é de grande importância tecnológica, econômica e social. Com este fim, foi feito este trabalho de pesquisa, o qual consiste em ensaiar um motor usando misturas de 37% e 50% de etanol na gasolina. O etanol utilizado neste trabalho apresentou um grau alcoólico de 92 INPM aproximadamente. Os ensaios foram feitos em taxas de compressão 8:1, 9.5:1 e 11:1. Foi avaliada a influência dos diferentes parâmetros para um máximo de eficiência e um mínimo de poluição, aproveitando as vantagens de ambos combustíveis, já que, a gasolina tem alto poder calorífico e baixo índice octano, e o etanol tem baixo poder calorífico e elevado índice de octana. O combustível ideal deveria ter ambos os fatores elevados. Para verificar os resultados esperados, foram feitos neste trabalho, estudos cinéticos químicos da combustão a partir do desempenho do motor e geração de gases. Para cumprir este fim foram necessários estudos que incluem o diagnóstico do processo de combustão, já que, o diagnóstico do processo de combustão fornece toda a informação necessária, às análises de aspectos críticos do funcionamento do motor e de emissões. Comprovou-se que a velocidade da reação de oxidação do etanol é maior que da gasolina e que, o motor aproveita mais a energia química do etanol que da gasolina. / The use of alternative fuels in Internal Combustion engine, seeks the substitution or the reduction of the consumption of fossil fuels. Any study of the development of methods and techniques that it improves the acting of the motors using alternative fuels are of great technological, economic and social importance. With this goal, it was made this research work, which consists of tests in an engine using blends of 37% and 50% of ethanol in the gasoline. The ethanol used in this work presented an alcoholic degree of 92 INPM approximately. The tests were made in compression ratio 8:1, 9.5:1 and 11:1. The influence of the different parameters was evaluated for a maximum of efficiency and a minimum of pollution, taking advantage of the advantages of both fuels, since, the gasoline has high PCI and low octane index, and the ethanol low PCI and high octane index. The ideal fuel should have high both factors. To verify the expected results, they were done in this work, studies kinetic chemists of the combustion starting from engine performance and generation of gases. To execute this goal they were necessary studies that include the diagnostics of the combustion process, since, the diagnostics of the combustion process supplies all the necessary information, to the analyses of engine critical aspects operation and emissions. Was proven that the speed of the ethanol reaction of oxidation is larger than gasoline and that the engine takes advantage of more the ethanol chemical energy that of the gasoline.

As legislações com restrições nos níveis de emissões de poluentes e a grande concorrência entre as montadoras fomentaram o desenvolvimento de sistemas mais eficientes de gerenciamento de motores a combustão interna. Entretanto, a falta de sensores que identifiquem as propriedades da combustão, e que sejam economicamente viáveis, dificulta o desenvolvimento de novos sistemas. Visando suprir parte dessas limitações, este trabalho propõe o uso do sensor de corrente iônica com duas finalidades: identificação dos fenômenos de combustão e detonação. Para identificação da combustão, atualmente é utilizado o sensor de fase instalado no motor, o que encarece o sistema de gerenciamento. Uma alternativa a este sensor seria utilizar a vela de ignição, já instalada dentro do cilindro do motor, como sensor de ionização da mistura ar/combustível durante a queima. Comparando a área sob a curva do sinal da corrente iônica durante a combustão com a área sob a curva durante a admissão, foi possível verificar que é viável a utilização do sinal da corrente iônica para substituição de uma funcionalidade do sensor de fase. Quanto à identificação do fenômeno da detonação, foi mostrado que o uso do sensor de corrente iônica possibilita a remoção do sensor de detonação. Para isso, foi realizada a correlação entre a energia de uma faixa de frequências dos harmônicos do sinal da corrente iônica com a energia do sinal proveniente do sensor de detonação. Dessa forma, este trabalho mostrou que é possível usar somente as velas de ignição, já presentes no veículo, como sensores. Além disso, os resultados positivos obtidos propiciam oportunidades para novas aplicações e novas pesquisas. / The laws that restrict pollutant emission levels and the competition among manufacturers fostered the development of more efficient internal combustion engine management systems. However, the lack of sensors to identify the properties of combustion, and which are economically viable, hinders the development of new systems. In order to address such limitations, this investigation proposes using the ionic current sensor with two purposes: identification of combustion and knock phenomena. The combustion identification is currently identified by the camshaft position sensor installed in the motor, which becomes more expensive for the management system. An alternative is using the spark plug, already installed inside the engine cylinder, such as ionization sensor of air/fuel mixture during combustion. Comparing the area under the curve of the ion current signal during combustion to the area under the curve during admission, it was found that it is feasible the use of ionic current signal to replace one feature of the camshaft position sensor. Concerning the identification of the knock phenomenon, it was shown that the use of the ionic current sensor allows the removal of the knock sensor. For this, the correlation between the energy signal in a frequency range of the ionic current harmonic with the energy of the signal from the knock sensor was performed Therefore, the use of spark plugs as sensors is very promising, in replacement to two existing sensors. Moreover, the positive results provide opportunities for new applications and researches.

O conceito de um motor rotativo de palhetas é apresentado e o modelo que opera similar aos motores recíprocos dois tempos é analisado. Este motor é formado por estator cilíndrico, rotor descentralizado, palhetas radiais e tampas laterais, similar aos compressores de palhetas radiais. Parâmetros geométricos estão definidos para que o motor possua características similares a dois motores recíprocos comerciais igualmente modelados. Suas geometrias estão detalhadas, assim como a modelagem termodinâmica e suas hipóteses, as quais devido ao caráter comparativo do trabalho não têm grande influência no alcance dos objetivos. Em relação aos motores recíprocos, o novo conceito prospecta algumas vantagens: maior compacidade; menor nível de vibrações; maior facilidade de alteração da razão de compressão; possibilidade de produção e montagem em módulos; e devido a todas estas, as maiores possibilidades para o projeto, fabricação, montagem e operação dos motores. Para melhor entendimento de algumas tendências relativas a estas vantagens, a sensibilidade dos parâmetros geométricos é estudada, com variações nos diâmetros do estator e do rotor, na espessura do rotor e das palhetas, na excentricidade entre rotor e estator, e no número de palhetas do conceito. Este estudo demonstra características únicas do motor rotativo de palhetas, dentre elas, a variação da espessura do rotor se destaca por proporcionar a alteração do tamanho do motor sem modificar os demais aspectos. A excentricidade entre o rotor e estator demonstra grande potencial na capacidade de alterar a razão de compressão do equipamento, inclusive podendo ser modificada após a construção do motor ou até mesmo durante sua operação. Também se destaca o número de palhetas, o qual tem influência direta sobre a curva de torque do ciclo e a efetividade do posicionamento das janelas de admissão e exaustão. Com isto, é concluída a caracterização da geometria e do funcionamento do motor rotativo de palhetas, obtendo uma boa base para as próximas etapas de seu desenvolvimento. / The concept of a rotary vane engine is presented and the model that operates similar to twostroke reciprocating engines is analyzed. This engine is formed by a cylindrical stator, decentralized rotor, radial vanes and side housing plates, similar to the radial vane compressors. Geometrical parameters are defined so that the motor has similar characteristics to two commercial reciprocating engines also modeled. Their geometries are detailed, as well as the thermodynamic model and its assumptions, which due to the comparative nature of the work do not have significant influence in achieving the objectives. With respect to reciprocating engines, the new concept is prospecting some advantages: higher compactness; lowest level of vibration; ease of adjustment of compression ratio; possibility of manufacture and assembly in modules; and due to all these, the numerous possibilities to the design, manufacture, assembly and operation of the engines. For a better understanding of some these advantages trends, the sensitivity of geometric parameters are studied, with variations in the diameters of the stator and rotor, in the thickness of the rotor and the vanes, in the eccentricity between rotor and stator, and in the number of vanes of the concept. This study demonstrates unique rotary vane engine characteristics, among them, the range of rotor thickness stands out for providing a change in engine size without changing other aspects. The eccentricity between the rotor and stator shows great potential for the ability to change the compression ratio of the equipment and can be modified even after the construction or even during operation of the engine. It also highlights the number of vanes, which has a direct influence on the torque curve of the cycle and the effectiveness of the positioning of inlet and exhaust ports. Therewith, the characterization of rotary vane engine geometry and operational design is complete, obtaining a good basis for its next development stages.