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Lecture

Thermal Machines: Otto Engine

In course

PHYS-106(a): General physics : thermodynamics

Le but du cours de Physique générale est de fournir les notions de base nécessaires à la compréhension des phénomènes physiques. L'objectif est atteint lorsqu'il est possible de prévoir quantitativement les conséquences de ces phénomènes avec des outils th ...

Description

This lecture covers the history and operation of the first internal combustion engines, focusing on the Beau de Rochas cycle and the Otto engine. It explains the four-stroke and two-stroke engines, detailing the processes of intake, compression, combustion, expansion, and exhaust. The efficiency of the Otto engine is discussed in relation to the compression ratio, with comparisons to the Carnot cycle. The importance of preventing autoignition by using high octane fuel and additives is also highlighted.

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Instructors (2)

Romuald Houdré

Curriculum Vitae CV 2011 Appointed as Adjunct Professor 2006 Appointed as Maitre d'Enseignement et de Recherche 2004 Joins the "Laboratory of Quantum Electronics" led by Prof. B. Deveaud-Plédran 2001-2004 Appointed as "Adjoint Scientifique" at the Institute for Quantum Photonics and Electronics (previously Institute for Micro and Optoelectronics led by Prof. M. Ilegems) 1998 Habilitation, University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6 (France) 1997 Invited researcher at NTT, Optoelectronics Department (Atsugi, Japan) 1988-2000 "Collaborateur scientifique" at the Institut for Micro and Optoelectronics with Prof. M.Ilegems at the Swiss Federal Institut of Technology in Lausanne (Switzerland). In charge of the Molecular Beam Epitaxy (1988-1996) and the research on optical microcavities (1996-2000) 1987-1988 Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée at Ecole Polytechnique (France). 1986-1987 Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (U.S.A.) with Prof. H.Morkoç in the molecular beam epitaxy group 1983-1985 Ph.D. thesis on the photoemission from quantum wells and superlattices under negative electron affinity at Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée, Ecole Polytechnique (France), G.Lampel and C.Hermann as advisors

Cécile Hébert

Cécile Hébert was born in France in 1970. She obtained her Ingeneer degree (physics) and her PhD degree (design of a new energy filter for transmission electron microscopy, under the direction of Prof. B. Jouffrey) at the Ecole Centrale in Paris. As a post doc with Prof. P. Schattschneider, she was working on the calculation of the fine structure of ionisation edges in EELS. As a research assistant at the Vienna University of Technology, she was one of the main participant to the CHIRALTEM project dealing with the measurement of magnetic circular dichroism in the electron microscope.

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Related concepts (32)

Four-stroke engine

A four-stroke (also four-cycle) engine is an internal combustion (IC) engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes while turning the crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travel of the piston along the cylinder, in either direction. The four separate strokes are termed: Intake: Also known as induction or suction. This stroke of the piston begins at top dead center (T.D.C.) and ends at bottom dead center (B.D.C.).

Internal combustion engine

An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high-pressure gases produced by combustion applies direct force to some component of the engine. The force is typically applied to pistons (piston engine), turbine blades (gas turbine), a rotor (Wankel engine), or a nozzle (jet engine).

Carnot cycle

A Carnot cycle is an ideal thermodynamic cycle proposed by French physicist Sadi Carnot in 1824 and expanded upon by others in the 1830s and 1840s. By Carnot's theorem, it provides an upper limit on the efficiency of any classical thermodynamic engine during the conversion of heat into work, or conversely, the efficiency of a refrigeration system in creating a temperature difference through the application of work to the system.

Exhaust gas

Exhaust gas or flue gas is emitted as a result of the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, gasoline (petrol), diesel fuel, fuel oil, biodiesel blends, or coal. According to the type of engine, it is discharged into the atmosphere through an exhaust pipe, flue gas stack, or propelling nozzle. It often disperses downwind in a pattern called an exhaust plume. It is a major component of motor vehicle emissions (and from stationary internal combustion engines), which can also include crankcase blow-by and evaporation of unused gasoline.

Diesel exhaust

Diesel exhaust is the gaseous exhaust produced by a diesel type of internal combustion engine, plus any contained particulates. Its composition may vary with the fuel type or rate of consumption, or speed of engine operation (e.g., idling or at speed or under load), and whether the engine is in an on-road vehicle, farm vehicle, locomotive, marine vessel, or stationary generator or other application. Diesel exhaust is a Group 1 carcinogen, which causes lung cancer and has a positive association with bladder cancer.

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