ME413: Combustion

Engineering
Air Standard Dual Cycle
Dual cycle is the air standard cycle which is combination of the Thermodynamic otto
cycle & Diesel cycle.

It can be used to describe internal combustion engines. The pressure-volume diagrams of

actual internal combustion engines are not described well by the Otto and Diesel cycles.
An air standard cycle that can be made to approximate the pressure variations more closely
is the air-standard dual cycle. A more capable approach would be to model the combustion
process in both Otto and Diesel engines as a combination of two heat-transfer processes,
one isochoric process, and one isobaric process.

Compared to an Otto cycle, which assumes an instantaneous heat addition (isochoric

heat addition), heat is added partly at constant volume and partly at constant pressure in
a dual cycle. Therefore the advantage is that more time is available for the fuel to
combust completely. On the other hand, the use of a dual cycle is slightly more
complex. The thermal efficiency lies between Otto and Diesel cycle.
The dual cycle was first introduced by Russian-German engineer Gustav Trinkler,
who never claimed to have developed the cycle himself.

Because of lagging characteristics of fuel this cycle is invariably used for Diesel
and hot spot ignition engines.

This thermodynamic power cycle consists of the two isenthalpic (constant volume)
process & two adiabatic process & one isobaric process (Constant volume).

Processes:
• 1-2 :- Isentropic compression process
• 2-3 :- Constant volume process
• 3-4 :- Isobaric heat addition process
• 4-5 :- Isentropic expansion
• 5-1 :- Constant volume heat rejection process
Dual Cycle P-V and T-S diagram:
Dual Cycle - Processes
In a dual cycle, the system executing the cycle undergoes a series of five processes: two
isentropic (reversible adiabatic) processes alternated with two isochoric processes and
one isobaric process:

• Process 1-2 Isentropic compression (compression stroke) – The gas is compressed

adiabatically from state 1 to state 2, as the piston moves from intake valve closing
point (1) to top dead center. The surroundings do work on the gas, increasing its
internal energy (temperature) and compressing it. On the other hand, the entropy
remains unchanged. The changes in volumes and their ratio (V1 / V2) are known as
the compression ratio. The compression ratio is smaller than the expansion ratio.

For reversible adiabatic process,

𝑄1 −2 = 0
By compression of air from 1 to 2 temperature of air increases from T1T1 to T2T2
hence change in internal energy is given by :

𝑑𝑢1 −2 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )
Now by First law of thermodynamics,

𝑄1 − 2 = 𝑑𝑢1 −2 + 𝑊1 − 2

0 = 𝐶𝑣 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 + 𝑊1 −2

𝑊1 −2 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )
• Process 2-3 Isochoric compression (ignition phase) – In this phase (between state 2
and state 3), there is a constant volume (the piston is at rest ) heat transfer to the air
from an external source while the piston is at rest at the top dead center. This process
is similar to the isochoric process in the Otto cycle. It is intended to represent the
ignition of the fuel-air mixture injected into the chamber and the subsequent rapid
burning. The pressure rises, and the ratio (P3 / P2) is known as the “explosion ratio”.

For the isochoric process, Change in volume (v = 0)

∴ 𝑊1 − 2 = 0

Here temperature rises from T2T2 to T3T3. Hence change in internal energy is given by,
𝑑𝑢1 − 2 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 )

Now to find heat transfer (Q), By first law of thermodynamics,

𝑄2 −3 = 𝑑𝑢2 −3 + 𝑊2 −3

𝑄2 − 3 = 𝐶𝑣 𝑇3 − 𝑇2 + 0

𝑄2 − 3 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 )
• Process 3-4 Isobaric expansion (power stroke) – In this phase (between state 3 and
state 4), there is a constant pressure (idealized model) heat transfer to the air from an
external source (combustion of the fuel) while the piston is moving toward the V4.
During the constant pressure process, energy enters the system as heat Qadd, and a part
of the work is done by moving pistons.

For constant pressure process,

𝑊3 −4 = 𝑃 (𝑉4 − 𝑉3 )

In the form of temperature, it can be written as:

𝑊3 −4 = 𝑅 (𝑇4 − 𝑇3 )

The temperature rises from T3 to T4. hence internal energy change is given by,
𝑑𝑢3 −4 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇4 − 𝑇3 )
Now to find rate of heat transfer by first law of thermodynamics,

𝑄3 − 4 = 𝑑𝑢3 −4 + 𝑊3 −4

𝑄3 − 4 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇4 − 𝑇3 ) + 𝑅(𝑇4 − 𝑇3 )

𝑄3 − 4 = (𝐶𝑣 +𝑅)(𝑇4 − 𝑇3 )

𝑄3 − 4 = (𝐶𝑣 +𝐶𝑝 − 𝐶𝑣 )(𝑇4 − 𝑇3 )

𝑄3 − 4 = 𝐶𝑝 (𝑇4 − 𝑇3 )
• Process 4-5 Isentropic expansion (power stroke) – The gas expands adiabatically
from state 4 to state 5 as the piston moves from V3 to the bottom dead center. The gas
works on the surroundings (piston) and loses an amount of internal energy equal to the
work that leaves the system. Again the entropy remains unchanged.

𝑄4 −5 = 0

By expansion of air from 4 to 5, the temperature of the air decreases from T4 to T5. Hence
the change in internal energy is given by,

𝑑𝑢4 −5 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇5 − 𝑇4 )

Now by the first law of thermodynamics,

𝑄4 −5 = 𝑑𝑢4 −5 + 𝑊4 −5

0 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇5 − 𝑇4 ) + 𝑊4−5

𝑊4 −5 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇5 − 𝑇4 )
• Process 5-1 Isochoric decompression (exhaust stroke) – In this phase, the cycle
completes by a constant-volume process in which heat is rejected from the air while the
piston is at the bottom dead center. The working gas pressure drops instantaneously
from point 5 to point 1. The exhaust valve opens at point 5. The exhaust stroke is
directly after this decompression. As the piston moves from the bottom dead center
(point 1) to the top dead center (point 0) with the exhaust valve opened, the gaseous
mixture is vented to the atmosphere, and the process starts anew.
For constant volume process,
𝑊5−1 = 0
In this process temperature of air decreases from T5T5 to T1T1. Hence change in internal
energy is given by,
𝑑𝑢5−1 = 𝐶𝑣 (𝑇1 − 𝑇5 )
Now by first law of thermodynamics,
𝑄5−1 = 𝑑𝑢5−1 + 𝑊5−1
𝑄5−1 = 𝐶𝑣 𝑇1 − 𝑇5 + 0
𝑄5−1 = 𝐶𝑣 𝑇1 − 𝑇5
Thermal Efficiency for Dual Cycle
In general, the thermal efficiency, ηth, of any heat engine is defined as the ratio of
the work it does, W, to the heat input at the high temperature, QH.

The thermal efficiency, ηth, represents the fraction of heat, QH, converted to work. Since energy
is conserved according to the first law of thermodynamics and energy cannot be converted to
work completely, the heat input, QH, must equal the work done, W, plus the heat that must be
dissipated as waste heat QC into the environment. Therefore we can rewrite the formula for
thermal efficiency as:
Therefore the heat added and rejected are given by:
Qadd-1 = mcv (T3 – T2)

Qadd-2 = mcp (T4 – T3)

Qout = mcv (T5 – T1)

Therefore the thermal efficiency for a dual cycle is:

Sample Problem
Consider an air-standard dual cycle. Operating data at principal states in the
cycle are given in the table below. If the mass of air is 0.15 kg. Determine:
(a) The cut-off ratio.
(b) the heat addition to the cycle, in kJ.
(c) the heat rejection from the cycle, in kJ.
(d) the net work, in kJ.
(e) the thermal efficiency .
State T(K) P(kPa) u(kJ/kg) h(kJ/kg)
1 310 105 224.07 310.9
2 872.4 4382.8 653.35 900.89
3 1810 9136.9 1497.2 2013.3
4 1990 9136.9 1669.5 2237.1
5 850.3 275.7 635.19 876.41
Diagram:
 (a) The cut-off ratio can be determined as follows. For the constant pressure process,
𝑅𝑇
𝑃3 = 𝑃4 . Nothing that for an ideal gas, 𝑃 =
𝑣

𝑅𝑇3 𝑅𝑇4
=
𝑣3 𝑣4
𝑣4
Since 𝑟𝑐 =
𝑣3
𝑣3 𝑇4 1990 𝐾
𝑟𝑐 = = =
𝑣3 𝑇3 1810 𝐾

𝑟𝑐 = 1.1

(b) Heat addition to the cycle occurs during process 2-3 and process 3-4. For constant
volume process 2-3.
𝑘𝐽
𝑄2−3 = 𝑚 𝑢3 − 𝑢2 = 0.15𝑘𝑔 1497.2 − 653.35 = 126.58 𝑘𝐽
𝑘𝑔
Nothing that 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑃 𝑣4 − 𝑣3 for constant pressure process 3-4
𝑚 𝑢4 − 𝑢3 = 𝑄3−4 − 𝑊3−4 = 𝑄3−4 − 𝑚𝑃(𝑣4 − 𝑣3 )
Thus
𝑄3−4 = 𝑚 𝑢4 − 𝑢3 + 𝑃 𝑣4 − 𝑣3 = 𝑚(ℎ4 − ℎ3 )
Inserting values
𝑘𝐽
𝑄3−4 = 𝑚 ℎ4 − ℎ3 = 0.15𝑘𝑔 2237.1 − 2013.3 = 33.57 𝑘𝐽
𝑘𝑔
Total heat addition is
𝑄𝑖𝑛 = 126.58𝑘𝐽 + 33.57𝑘𝐽

𝑄𝑖𝑛 = 160.15 𝑘𝐽

(c) Heat rejection from the cycle occurs during process 5-1
𝑘𝐽
𝑄5−1 = 𝑚 𝑢1 − 𝑢5 = 0.15𝑘𝑔 224.07 − 635.19 = −61.67 𝑘𝐽
𝑘𝑔
The negative sign indicates heat transfer is from the system.
The total heat rejection is

𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 61.67 𝑘𝐽
(d) The net work can be determined from the net heat transfer for the cycle
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑄𝑖𝑛 − 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 160.15𝑘𝐽 − 61.67𝑘𝐽

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 98.48 𝑘𝐽

(e) The Thermal efficiency is

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 98.48𝑘𝐽
𝜂= = = 0.6149
𝑄𝑖𝑛 160.15𝑘𝐽

𝜂 = 61.49%
Definition of Terms

Diesel Cycle - Diesel cycle is one of the most common thermodynamic cycles found in
automobile engines and describes the functioning of a typical compression ignition piston
engine.

Enthalpy - The enthalpy is defined to be the sum of the internal energy E plus the product
of the pressure p and volume V.

Entropy - In thermodynamics and statistical physics, entropy is a quantitative measure of

disorder, or of the energy in a system to do work.

First law of Thermodynamics - The increase in internal energy of a closed system is equal
to the heat supplied to the system minus work done by it.
∆Eint = Q – W

Heat - Heat is a form of energy, but it is energy in transit. Heat is not a property of a system.
However, the transfer of energy as heat occurs at the molecular level due to a temperature
difference.
Internal Energy - In thermodynamics, internal energy (also called thermal energy),
represented by the symbol U, is defined as the energy associated with microscopic
forms of energy.

Isentropic Process - An isentropic process is a thermodynamic process in which the

entropy of the fluid or gas remains constant.

Isobaric Process - An isobaric process is a thermodynamic process in which the

system’s pressure remains constant (p = const).

Isochoric Process - An isochoric process is a thermodynamic process in which the

volume of the closed system remains constant (V = const).

Otto Cycle - The Otto cycle is one of the most common thermodynamic cycles found in
automobile engines and describes the functioning of a typical spark ignition piston
engine.
Thermodynamic Cycle - Typical thermodynamic cycle consists of a series of
thermodynamic processes transferring heat and work while varying pressure,
temperature, and other state variables, eventually returning a system to its initial state.

Thermodynamic Processes - A thermodynamic process is defined as a change from one

equilibrium macrostate to another macrostate. The initial and final states are the defining
elements of the process.

Thermodynamic Power Cycle - A power cycle consists of a series of repeating

thermodynamic processes along a closed process path, while heat is converted into
mechanical work.

Work - In thermodynamics, work performed by a system is the energy transferred by the

system to its surroundings. Work is a form of energy, but it is energy in transit. A system
contains no work, and work is a process done by or on a system.
References

Г. В. Тринклер: Двигателестроение за полустолетие. Очерки современника, 2nd

edition, Речной транспорт, Saint Petersburg, 1958, p. 32

Lino Guzzella, Christopher Onder: Introduction to Modeling and Control of Internal

Combustion Engine Systems, 2nd edition, Springer,
Berlin/Heidelberg, ISBN 9783642107757, p. 334

https://mechcontent.com/dual-cycle/

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/thermodynamic-
cycles/dual-cycle-limited-pressure-cycle/

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/thermodynamic-
processes/

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/thermodynamic-
cycles/
https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/what-is-energy-
physics/what-is-entropy/

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/what-is-energy-
physics/internal-energy-thermal-energy/

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/what-is-energy-
physics/what-is-enthalpy/

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/thermodynamic-
cycles/otto-cycle-otto-engine/

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/thermodynamic-
cycles/diesel-cycle-diesel-engine/

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/laws-of-
thermodynamics/first-law-of-thermodynamics/work-in-thermodynamics/
https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/laws-of-
thermodynamics/first-law-of-thermodynamics/

https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/laws-of-
thermodynamics/first-law-of-thermodynamics/heat-in-thermodynamics/