Prediction of ethanol-gasoline blend fuelled spark ignition engine performance using dimensional analysis

ABSTRACT

Ethanol is blended with pure gasoline for use as a fuel in a gasoline engine. It is required to conduct physical tests on engines to observe the engine performance for these fuel blends. However, mathematical equations provide a quick, effective, and accurate alternate for physical tests. It may not be possible to develop the mathematical relations for the specific operating conditions of engine and fuel. It is possible to use dimensional analysis approach to develop mathematical model. Dimensional analysis approach is used in this research work for deriving the mathematical correlations of Indicated Mean Effective Pressure, Brake Power, Indicated Power, and Brake Specific Fuel Consumption as engine performance parameters. Their relations are established with engine speed, load on engine, calorific value of fuel fractions, and clearance volume of engine as independent parameters. Buckingham π theorem is used for formulating the relations having proportionality sign showing the possible relations of each dependent parameter with all four independent parameters. Regression analysis is used for eliminating proportionality signs from the equations developed. Mathematical relations developed by the dimensional analysis are accurate. Root Mean Square errors have noted a minimum of 4.19 for Brake Specific Fuel Consumption and a maximum 8.56 for Brake Power. The average percentage errors are less than 1%.

KEYWORDS:

• Dimensional analysis
• Buckingham π theorem
• engine performance
• engine performance prediction model
• regression analysis
• alternative fuel

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Prafulla Hatte

Dr. Prafulla Hatte is working as Dean- School of Mechanical & Civil Engineering with MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune, India. He has 8 years of industry experience and 19+ years of teaching experience. He has completed two post graduations in Heat Power Engineering and Management Science respectively. His passion for research in alternative fuels took him to complete his Ph.D. in the same domain. He has published 15 research papers in various reputed peer-reviewed journals. He also has 7 Indian patents to his credit. He is also a Chartered Engineer and extended his consultancy in import-export for MAN Trucks, India.  He has a wide experience and skills in CNC machines. He has also worked as a CNC consultant for many industries like L&T, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Force Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra etc. He is awarded as “International Teacher and Trainer” by Cambridge University, UK. He has conducted 100+ training sessions and worked as Master Trainer for Wipro Technologies, Bengaluru and JCB India Ltd, Pune. He has conducted 100+ workshops and training sessions in India. He has also conducted training sessions for the participants in Finland, Poland, UK, Russia, Bangladesh, Portugal & China. He has done many certifications in Engineering Education and practicing innovative pedagogical tools and approaches for the best learning-teaching experience. He is also contributing his skills and experience with society as a Trainer of Engineering Education.

Yogesh Bhalerao

Dr. Yogesh Jayant Bhalerao is an academician, researcher and administrator par excellence. He is an enthusiastic engineering educator with adaptive styles of teaching, sizeable research experience, a rich depth and breadth of knowledge and excellent communication skills. As a champion of both administrative and academic excellence, Dr. Bhalerao has transformed engineering education for two decades. A Fulbright - Nehru Scholar, a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (FIET), the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (CEng, FIMechE), Dr. Bhalerao has been academically bright and a distinction holder throughout his schooling. His Ph.D. degree in Engineering stands as testimony to his passion for learning and research. In pursuit of excellence, he has completed the Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) with the British Council. He is closely working with educators, entrepreneurs, researchers across the globe and has visited leading Universities in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia to learn good practices. He has received notable grants and awards from revered funding agencies. During his career, he has mentored 100+ projects at the undergraduate level, 20+ postgraduate projects and 6 Ph.D. projects. He is a staunch believer and practitioner of Kaizen – also known as continuous improvement. By publishing research papers, reading relevant literature, attending conferences, reviewing for journals, online learning, organizing events, taking and conducting training courses, mentoring young professionals and engineers, delivering presentations etc., he keeps himself updated. By nurturing a generation of cognizant professionals, he believes he can remodel the future and foster collaborative change.