Power Gas Cycles
Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M . Mallikarjuna
4.7 Comparison of Otto, Diesel and Dual Cycles:
The important variable factors which are used as the basis for comparison of the cycles
are compression ratio, peak pressure, heat addition, heat rejection and the net work. In
order to compare the performance of the Otto, Diesel and Dual combustion cycles,
some of the variable factors must be fixed. In this section, a comparison of these three
cycles is made for the same compression ratio, same heat addition, constant maximum
pressure and temperature, same heat rejection and net work output. This analysis will
show which cycle is more efficient for a given set of operating conditions.
Case 1: Same Compression Ratio and Heat Addition:
The Otto cycle 1-2-3-4-1, the Diesel cycle 1-2-3'-4'-1 and the Dual cycle 1-2-2-3-4-1
are shown in p-V and T- diagram in Fig.4.7.1 (a) and (b) respectively for the same
compression ratio and heat input.
3
2'
3"
3'
2
Isentropic Process
Volume
(a)
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
4'
4"
4
1
Gas Power Cycles
Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M . Mallikarjuna
Constant Pressure
2'
3
3"
3'
2
4 4"
1
4'
constant Volume
5
Entropy
6 6"6'
(b)
Fig.4.7.1. Same compression ratio and heat addition
From the T-s diagram, it can be seen that Area 5-2-3-6 = Area 5-2-3'-6 = Area 5-2-2"3"-6" as this area represents the heat input which is the same for all cycles. All the
cycles start from the same initial state point 1 and the air is compressed from state 1 to
2 as the compression ratio is same. It is seen from the T-s diagram for the same heat
input, the heat rejection in Otto cycle (area 5-1-4-6) is minimum and heat rejection in
Diesel cycle (5-1-4'-6') is maximum.. Consequently, Otto cycle has the highest work
output and efficiency. Diesel cycle has the least efficiency and Dual cycle having the
efficiency between the two.
One more observation can be made i.e., Otto cycle allows the working medium to
expand more whereas Diesel cycle is least in this respect. The reason is heat is added
before expansion in the case of Otto cycle and the last portion of heat supplied to the
fluid has a relatively short expansion in case of the Diesel cycle.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Gas Power Cycles
Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M . Mallikarjuna
Case 2: Same Compression Ratio and Heat Rejection:
3
2
3'
4
Isentropic Process
1
Volume
(a)
3
3'
2
4
1
Entropy
(b)
Fig.4.7.2. Same compression ratio and heat rejection
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Gas Power Cycles
Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M . Mallikarjuna
Efficiency of Otto cycle is given by [Figs.4.7.2 (a) and (b)],
otto = 1 -
QR
QS
Where, Qs is the heat supplied in the Otto cycle and is equal to the area under the curve
2-3 on the T-s diagram [Fig.4.7.2 (b)]. The efficiency of the Diesel cycle is given by,
Diesel = 1 -
QR
Qs
Where Qs is heat supplied in the Diesel cycle and equal is to the area under the curve
2-3' on the T-s diagram [Fig.4.7.2. (b)]. From the T-s diagram in Fig.4.7.2, it is clear that
Qs > Qs i.e., heat supplied in the Otto cycle is more than that of the Diesel cycle. Hence,
it is evident that, the efficiency of the Otto cycle is greater than the efficiency of the
Diesel cycle for a given compression ratio and heat rejection.
Case 3: Same Peak Pressure, Peak Temperature and Heat Rejection:
Figures 4.7.3 (a) and (b) show the Otto cycle 1-2-3-4 and Diesel cycle 1-2'-3-4 on p-V
and T-s coordinates, where the peak pressure and temperature and the amount of heat
rejected are the same.
The efficiency of the Otto cycle,
otto = 1 -
QR
QS
Where, Qs in the area under the curve 2-3 in Fig.4.7.3 (b). The efficiency of the Diesel cycle, 12-3'-3-4 is,
Diesel = 1 -
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QR
Qs
Gas Power Cycles
Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M . Mallikarjuna
2'
3
2
4
1
Volume
(a)
3
2'
4
2
1
5
Entropy
(b)
6
Fig.4.7.3. Same peak pressure and temperature
It is evident from Fig.4.7.3 that Qs > Qs. Therefore, the Diesel cycle efficiency is greater
than the Otto cycle efficiency when both engines are built to withstand the same thermal
and mechanical stresses.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Gas Power Cycles
Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M . Mallikarjuna
Case 4: Same Maximum Pressure and Heat Input:
2'
3' 3
2
4'
4
1
Volume
(a)
3'
3
2'
2
4
4'
1
5 Entropy
(b)
6' 6
Fig.4.7.4. Same maximum pressure and heat input.
For same maximum pressure and heat input, the Otto cycle (1-2-3-4-1) and Diesel cycle
(1-2'-3'-4'-1) are shown on p-V and T-s diagrams in Fig.4.7.4 (a) and (b) respectively. It
is evident from the figure that the heat rejection for Otto cycle (area 1-5-6-4 on T-s
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Gas Power Cycles
Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M . Mallikarjuna
diagram) is more than the heat rejected in Diesel cycle (1-5-6'-4'). Hence Diesel cycle is
more efficient than Otto cycle for the condition of same maximum pressure and heat
input. One can make a note that with these conditions, the Diesel cycle has higher
compression ratio than that of Otto cycle. One should also note that the cycle which is
having higher efficiency allows maximum expansion. The Dual cycle efficiency will be
between these two.
Case 5: Same Maximum Pressure and Work Output:
The efficiency, can be written as
=
Work done
Heat sup plied
=
Work done
Work done + Heat rejected
Refer to T-s diagram in Fig.4.7.4 (b). For same work output the area 1-2-3-4 (work
output of Otto cycle) and area 1-2'-3'-4' (work output of Diesel cycle) are same. To
achieve this, the entropy at 3 should be greater than entropy at 3' .It is clear that the
heat rejection for Otto cycle is more than that of diesel cycle. Hence, for these
conditions, the Diesel cycle is more efficient than the Otto cycle. The efficiency of Dual
cycle lies between the two cycles.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras