Efficient Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine Operating Under a Regenerative Isobaric Expansion Based Cycle

Abstract

The work deals with a novel regenerative trilateral internal combustion engine cycle (RTICC) which differs from the conventional Carnot derived thermal gas cycles in that energy absorption and conversion into mechanical work is performed in a single process between two state points of the cycle under an operating pressure which balances the reaction load, so that for a constant load this path function is isobaric. While thermal energy is being absorbed along the expansion process, internal energy, enthalpy, specific volume and entropy increases as mechanical work is delivered. The analysis of the cycle is presented and results are compared with Carnot factor which conventionally has been considered as a benchmark for all thermal engine cycles. The results show that a relevant advantage of the proposed cycle deals with performance enhancement into a wide range of combustion temperatures. The successful results associated with a compact and simple engine structure, and economically viable, promises a new generation of efficient internal combustion engines.