Indicator diagrams

NATIONAL MARITIME ACADEMY

Questions

Explain the need for taking series (set) of power cards to

assess engine performance
Explain minimum information required from the power
card for accurate assessment of engine performance
(Hint- MIP, Pmax, Pcomp)
Explain the significance of:

Out of phase diagram (draw card)

Light spring diagram
Explain the effect on the on engine performance if it is
operated with

high Pmax

low Pmax

Foundation

Heat balance is done

when engine is
operating at its peak
performance
About 50.5% of power
from fuel is converted
to shaft power
If there is a fault,
wear & tear in the
engine, less power is
available at the shaft

Foundation
We use diesel and dual
cycle to understand the
process
We use indicator cards to
monitor performance

Diesel Cycle
Pcomp=Pmax=110 bar

Wnet

Pressure

4
1
Pmax= 150 bar
End of injection

Wnet

MIP

Start of
injection

TDC
Exhaust
valve opens

Clearance Swept Volume

volume
Scavenge
port open

Atmospheric
pressure

TDC

Exhaust
valve close
V

Scavenge
port close
BDC

BDC

Three important ratios that affect Air Standard

Efficiency and engine operation
Dual Diesel Cycle

Increase in compression
ratio, Air Standard
Efficiency increases-page 5
Decrease in cut off ratio
ASE increases
Increase in pressure ratio
ASE increases- page 3
The above ratios are
applicable to actual
Diesel engine for the
purpose of optimising
performance with
indicator diagrams.

Pmax=145 bar

4
Wnet

Pcomp=110 bar

2
5
Pressure

1 Pscav=2.5 bar
Wnet

MIP
TDC
Clearance
volume

MEP=18 bar

BDC

Swept Volume

Purpose of Indicator Diagrams

Power calculation
Mean Indicated
Pressure
Start of
Combustion and
injection
compression pressures
Evaluation of the
p
combustion process
Evaluation of scavenging
process
Calculation of air
temperatures in the
compression chamber.

Page 7

Pmax= 150 bar

End of injection
In order to evaluate the
combustion process a
draw diagram is necessary
In order to evaluate the
scavenging process a
Exhaust
Po
light spring diagram is necessary
valve
opens
we
rc
ar
Scavenge
d
port open

Atmospheric
pressure

TDC

Exhaust
valve close
V

Scavenge
port close
BDC

Draw diagram

compression pressure,
maximum pressure of
ignition and the
slope of the ignition Slope of combustion
curve.

Page 7,8,9

Slope of combustion
High- fault

curve

Slope of combustion
Normal

Fault Diagnostics with Indicator Diagram

Normal Pmax= 150 bar
Abnormal Ignition Pressure
Early or late fuel injection
Fuel ignition qualty
Fuel heat value
Fuel atomisation
Low mass of air
* Ref-Pressure ratio After burning
Late fuel injection
Fuel ignition qualty
Fuel atomisation
Excess fuel..overload
High exhaust temperature
Blowby
Normal Pscav= 2.5 bar
* Ref-Cut off ratio
Scavenge problems

Normal Pcomp= 115bar

Low compression pressure
& low mass of air
Piston rings leak
Worn Liners
Exhaust valve leak
Piston crown burnt
Bearing wear down
* Ref-Compression ratio

Exhaust valve timing

Exhaust back pressure
Scavenge ports dirty
Low cahrge air pressure from T/C
High scavenge air temperature
Low mass of air at begining of compression
* Ref- m= pV/RT

Piston ring leak

Worn liner

Atmospheric
pressure

TDC

BDC

Fuel injection timing

Proper injection timing can be

checked by an evaluation of
power from indicator diagram and
measurement from draw
diagrams.
If the Maximum Combustion
Pressure (Pmax) is within limits,
M.I.P is satisfactory
Exhaust temperature is within
limits
Rack position relationship is
satisfied,
It should be assumed that the
fuel timing is correct, if it is not
correct then it can be either

too late or
too early

Fuel injection timing

Leakages, blow byincreased

clearance volume

Light spring
Choked scavenge ports

Normal

1
Blow down
on opening of
exhaust valve

1
Blow down
on opening of
exhaust valve

Scavenge pressure
inside cylinder

V
Scavenge pressure
inside cylinder

Fault
Normal

Fault

1
Blow down
on opening of
exhaust valve

Normal

Scavenge pressure
inside cylinder

V
High exhaust back pressure