OVERVIEW

The course deals with the most relevant topics relating to reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (ICE).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide an adequate qualification in the field of reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), deepening some of the most important topics with special reference to the automotive application. The main topics of the course are: engine part load operation (referring to both conventional and innovative regulating systems), operational aspects of ICE, electronic engine control, supercharging and turbocharging, ICE exhaust emissions control and aftertreatment.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student will acquire specialist knowledge on some aspects of current relevance for the development of alternative internal combustion engines, with particular reference to the road traction. The student will therefore be able to handle complex issues related to the design, management and control of the main systems and devices of modern automotive ICE.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, practice and laboratory.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

A. Lectures

- Real cycle and operational aspects of ICE

Real cycles of SI and diesel engines: analysis of loss contributions - ICE energy balance - Fuel supply circuits of SI and diesel engines.

- Combustion processes and pollutant emissions of ICE

Air required for combustion - Combustion processes: general aspects and classifications - Premixed and diffusion flames -  Combustion in spark ignition and diesel engines - Environmental impact phenomena - Pollutants formation processes and their effect on health and environment - ICE exhaust emissions control and aftertreatment.

- Engine part load operation

Control engine parameters – Constant speed and constant load curves, engine performance maps – Part load operation of spark ignition and diesel engines – Analysis of engine performance and fuel consumption at different speed and load levels – Road vehicle performance simulation – Engine downsizing – Introduction to innovative engine regulating systems.

- Electronic engine control

General aspects on ICE control – Layout and components of ICE electronic control systems: sensors, ECU, actuators – Open and closed loop control - Components and operation of the main electronic control systems in automotive SI and Diesel engines.

- Supercharging and turbocharging

Engine-compressor matching in mechanical supercharging and  turbocharging - Determination of turbocharger operating conditions – Constant pressure and pulse turbocharging - Torque characteristic curves of supercharged and turbocharged engines – Turbocharger control systems (waste-gate valve, variable geometry turbines) - Alternative charging systems.

B. Practice

Test bench measurements on an engine or a turbocharging system for automotive application.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• M. Capobianco - “Motori a combustione interna” – Notes to the course (in Italian)
• G. Ferrari -  "Motori a combustione interna" - Il Capitello, 2008.
• J.B. Heywood -  "Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals" - Mc. Grow-Hill, 1988.
• K. Zinner -  "Supercharging of Internal  Combustion  Engines" - Springer Verlag, 1977.
• N. Watson, M.S. Janota – “Turbocharging the Internal Combustion Engine” – MacMillan Press Ltd, 1982.
• AA.VV. – “Bosch Automotive Handbook” – 7th Edition, Robert Bosch GmbH, 2007.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MASSIMO CAPOBIANCO (President)

DAVIDE LENGANI (President)

PIETRO ZUNINO (President)

DARIO BARSI

SILVIA MARELLI

ANDREA PERRONE

LUCA RATTO

FRANCESCA SATTA

DANIELE SIMONI

VITTORIO USAI

GIORGIO ZAMBONI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

According to the calendar published by the Polytechnic School.

Class schedule

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam consisting of three extended-answer questions (one page) on the topics covered in the lectures and exercises.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Pre-requisites:

- Basic thermodynamic and fluid dynamics knowledge.

- Basic knowledge on ICE: ICE classification, components and nomenclature, main operational parameters – Ideal and real operation of 2 and 4 stroke engines – Indicated diagrams, indicated and brake mean effective pressure, engine power correlations. Reference thermodynamic cycles for SI and diesel engines.