Energy and Exergy Analysis of Ruston Diesel Engine

This study presents comparative energy and exergy analyses of a single cylinder, four stroke Ruston diesel engine. The test was conducted by varying the load between zero and maximum while keeping the engine speed constant. Then, using the steady-state data along with energy and exergy balance equations, various performance parameters of the engine were measured. From the study it was found that exergy efficiency of the engine is a bit lower than energy efficiency. Maximum exergic efficiency was found to be 21.58 % at 70 % of the maximum load. It was revealed by a theoretical study that by preheating air using exhaust gas, exergy efficiency can be improved and exergic efficiency of the engine increases with increase in ambient temperature. Moreover the irreversibility caused by the conversion of chemical energy into heat energy is the main cause of system inefficiency.