Engine Classification: Internal Combustion Engines
An internal combustion engine (ICE) is an engine where the combustion of a fuel occurs *inside* a combustion chamber, which is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. The expanding hot gases directly generate force.
Analyzing Engine Types
Let's examine the options based on the definition of an internal combustion engine:
- Diesel engine: Combustion of fuel occurs inside the engine cylinders. This is an ICE.
- Petrol engine: Fuel combustion happens within the engine cylinders. This is an ICE.
- Gas turbine: Fuel combustion occurs continuously within the engine's combustor section, driving the turbine. This is a type of ICE.
- Steam turbine: Combustion (or another heat source) occurs *outside* the turbine to heat water into steam. The steam then flows into the turbine. This is an external combustion engine, not an ICE.
Conclusion on Classification
The defining characteristic of an internal combustion engine is that combustion happens internally. Since the combustion process for a steam turbine happens externally to generate the working fluid (steam), it cannot be classified as an internal combustion engine.
Important Questions from IC Engine Cycles
- The indicated thermal efficiency of an internal combustion engine is defined as:
In a four-stroke cycle, the minimum temperature inside the engine cylinder occurs at the
The working cycle of two stroke engine is completed in _______ revolutions of crank shaft.
The ratio between net work for one cycle in a process and displacement volume is -
The fourth stage of the compression ignition process is:
