Performance characteristics of a variable compression ratio CI engine simulation using artificial neural network

ABSTRACT

Artificial neural network is one of the machine learning algorithm techniques that have been used nowadays for the performance study on combustion ignition (CI) engine. This study describes the application of artificial neural network to analyze the performance characteristics of variable compression ratio (VCR) CI engine. The performance factors of VCR engine such as brake power, brake thermal efficiency, indicated power, indicated thermal efficiency, specific energy consumption, exergy efficiency, and exhaust gas temperature have been considered in the study. The compression ratio ranges from 14:1 to 18:1 and the torque ranges from 0 to 22 Nm have been set as an input parameter for the engine performance simulation. The backpropagation learning algorithm has also been applied to the real-time operating data. It was observed from the results that the present methodology is found to provide better accuracy than that of other methodologies quoted in the recent literature. The simulated results from the proposed methodology have been tested with real-time data obtained from VCR performance fuelled by biodiesel and diesel and compared.

KEYWORDS:

• VCR engine
• engine simulation
• artificial neural network
• performance parameters
• exergy

Nomenclature

ANN	=	artificial neural network
BPA	=	backpropagation algorithm
R2	=	regression coefficient/coefficient of determination
RMSE	=	root mean square error
MRE	=	mean relative error
VCR	=	variable compression ratio
CI	=	combustion ignition
TV	=	torque value
IP	=	indicated power
BP	=	brake power
SEC	=	specific energy consumption
BTE	=	brake thermal efficiency
BTDC	=	before top dead center
EE	=	exergy efficiency
ITE	=	indicated thermal efficiency
EGT	=	exhaust gas temperature
CO	=	carbon monoxides
HC	=	hydrocarbon
NOx	=	nitrogen oxides
CA	=	crank angle in degree

Acknowledgments

The authors express their sincere thanks to the Vice-Chancellor, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, for providing fund for the purchase of VCR engine test rig for this study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ashok Kumar T

T. Ashok Kumar, secured Ph.D. from SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur. At present, he is a faculty of the school of Mechanical Engineering, and member in centre for Bio-Energy, at SASTRA University. He has a teaching experience of more than 25 years at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in different institutions. He has a large number of research publications to his credit. His research area includes the Exergy analysis and developing computational model for thermal systems.

Mohamed Musthafa M.

M. Mohamed Musthafa, graduated in Mechanical Engineering, obtained a postgraduate degree in Thermal Plant Engineering and secured Ph.D. from National Institute of Technology, Trichy. At present, he is at the faculty of Mechanical Engineering and member in centre of  Bio-Energy at SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur. He has a vast teaching experience of more than two decades at undergraduate and postgraduate level in different reputed institutions. He has a large number of research publications to his credit. His area of interest includes alternative fuels for IC engines, LHR engines, combustion, heat transfer, solar.

Chandramouli R

R. Chandramouli, graduated in Mechanical Engineering in the year 1985. Subsequently, he joined SASTRA as a faculty member in Mechanical Engineering. He secured a post-graduate degree in Thermal Engineering in the year 1990. He was awarded a Ph.D. degree in 2004 for his research work in the area of powder metallurgy. He has guided three research scholars and has published over 12 research articles in peer-reviewed international journals.

T. K. Kandavel

T. K. Kandavel, secured Ph.D. in Powder Metallurgy from SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur in 2013. At present, he is at the faculty of Mechanical Engineering in SASTRA Deemed University. He has a vast teaching experience of more than two decades and 6 years of industrial experience. He has published more than 30 research papers in refereed international journals. His research area is Powder Metallurgy.

T Mohan raj

T. Mohanraj, graduated in Mechanical Engineering, obtained a postgraduate degree in Energy Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Trichy and secured Ph.D. from SASTRA University. He is a member in centre for Bio-Energy, and faculty School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA Deemed University. He has published 32 research papers in the reputed international journals and guiding four research scholars.

Sridharan G

G. Sridharan, graduated in Mechanical Engineering and obtained PG in Thermal Plant Engineering. At present, he is a research scholar in school of Mechanical Engineering at SASTRA Deemed University and researching the area of Alternative fuels for IC engines. He has a teaching experience of 25 years at undergraduate and postgraduate level in SASTRA University, Thanjavur.