Adiabatic process - Diesel engine

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around an adiabatic process in a diesel engine, specifically focusing on the temperature change resulting from compressing air in a cylinder and the corresponding pressure increase. The problem involves applying the principles of thermodynamics and ideal gas behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationships between temperature, volume, and pressure in an adiabatic process, questioning how to apply the relevant equations. Some express confusion about connecting their understanding of adiabatic processes with the specific problem at hand.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered potential equations and approaches to calculate the final temperature and pressure increase, while others have confirmed the correctness of these approaches. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships involved, but no explicit consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

The problem is constrained by the requirement to treat the air as an ideal gas and to assume adiabatic conditions. Participants are also navigating the implications of significant figures in their calculations.

ibysaiyan
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Homework Statement


A diesel engine requires no spark plug. The air in a cylinder is compressed so
highly that the fuel spontaneously ignites when sprayed into cylinder. If the air is
initially at 20°C and is then compressed by a factor of 15 in volume, what final
temperature is attained (before fuel injection)? Assume the compression is adiabatic,
and treat the air as an ideal gas. Take delta = 1.4 for air. By what factor does the
pressure increase?


Homework Equations


PV^ delta = constant
TV ^delta-1 = constant.
Delta = Cp/Cv.

Internal energy = Work done.

The Attempt at a Solution



I am totally lost with this problem, I know what an adiabatic process is, how to derive the delta, etc but I can't seem to match that with the above question.

Any tips ?
 
Last edited:
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I think I have got an idea...
We know TV^delta -1 = constant...
Could I use the following relation :
T1 V1 ^delta -1 = T2 V2 ^delta-1 To get my t2 value?No that doesn't seem right...

How about this :
T[itex]V^{\gamma-1}[/itex] = k.

So if I plug in my initial temperature value as : 293.15 k and volume assumed to be at 1 , that will give me a value = k.

For the final temperature:
[itex]T_{2}[/itex][itex]V^{\gamma-1}[/itex] = k
so t2 * (1/15)^ 1.4-1 = 5863/20
which gives me t2 = 866k.

=] ?
 
Last edited:
Your answer is correct. Assume isentropic so exponent is specific heat ration. Your equation is:

T2/T1 = (V1/v2)^(k-1)

You know the volume ratio, T1, and you know k.
 
lawrencec said:
your answer is correct. Assume isentropic so exponent is specific heat ration. Your equation is:

T2/t1 = (v1/v2)^(k-1)

you know the volume ratio, t1, and you know k.

thanks you very much! : ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
 
Also at the end of the question it asks by how much factor has hte pressure risen.. which according to my calculations is ~ 44 times.

Is this correct too ?
 
Yes, that is what I get for two significant figures.
 
Thanks for your help! :))
 

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