VOLUMETRIC EFFICENCY (V. E.) and the CHOICE OF the TURBO
Hi to all dear friends some time ago on the forum I sent out a post pretty similar to this section, off-limits, even if
it was a little more "raw" of this to ****llo math let's say that from then I am a little also evolved arrhythmically and
being that even more, I can access most of this section I have decided to rewrite two lines on a topic maybe a little
known and little understood or even, dare I say, understood by few and unknown by many that I hope remains available
for all the other people who want it is time to learn new things...
starting from the assumption that I am not a professor, much less an engineer,I do not pretend or presume to
insegrare anything to anyone,in fact if someone wants to correct concepts believes are wrong are quite ready for it to rectify as
written here but still given that I believe that in life there is always more to learn and learn new
I want to put at the disposal of the concepts,and formulas the basic
that to some person may also seem interesting and useful...
I start with the specify that all of the calculations and equations you are using IMPERIAL units,
what are the English units...then later you can convert in our the METRIC system by using equivalences.
to start with, we provide the equivalences between imperial and metric measurements and the explanation
of the abbreviations used in the text:
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(Cubic inch = inch cube) = 16,39cm3; 1cm3=0,061 which
Psi (pounds on the square inch = pounds on the square inch = 0,068 bar 1 bar=14.7 psi
°F (degree Fahrenheit = degree Fahrenheit) = 32+1,8*x°C; °C=(°F-32)/1,8; for example, 0°C=32°F and 100°C=232°F.
R (degree Rankine = degree Rankine) = °F+460 = °C+273,15; it is the absolute scale
(i.e. which has the source at a temperature of absolute zero)
used in some English-speaking countries, instead of the Kelvin scale. For example: O°C=273,15 K=32°F=492R
Cu ft (cubic feet = cubic feet) = 28.317 cm3 = 28,317 l
Cfm (cubic feet per minute = cubic feet per minute) = 28.317cm3/min = 28,317 l/min
Lbs (pounds = lb) = 0,454 kg; 1kg=2.2 lbs
Mph (miles per hour = miles per hour (mph) = 1,6093 km/h, 1km/h=0,62 mph
Psig = psi gauge (psi its measured by the gauge)
Psia = psi absolute (psi absolute, which is obtained by adding the atmospheric pressure equals 1 bar=14.7 psi,
to the overpressure provided by the turbine)
R universal constant of perfect gases) = 8,315 J/(mol*K)
Tin = temperature input
Tout = temperature output
Pin = inlet pressure
Pout = outlet pressure
this not so brief post tries to explain in a simple way(for how short you can summarize)
using the example of an engine Lampredi, in the specific FIAT 1582CC 8Valvole turbizzato
the meaning of:
volumetric efficiency,
mass flow rate (quantity, not always constant) ,
volumetric flow rate (volume constant),
importance of the intercooler, or how it affects the cooling of the incoming air in the engine and
how will it affect the performance.
a little bit of the essential formulas....
to convert from cubic centimeters to WHICH:
WHERE= c.c. * 0,061
WHERE=1600cc * 0,061 =97,6 WHICH
The equation of the volumetric flow rate of the engine:
This equation serves to find the air volume (volumetric flow rate)
our engine ingurgita every two revolutions of the crankshaft,
(2 in as much as our engine is 4-stroke and the intake valve opens every 2 turns)
The Volume of air (cfm) = [(engine RPM)*(engine displacement)]/(1728*2)
(1728 is a constant,
the 2 is used to take account of the fact that the air intake is only every two revolutions of the engine
given that we are dealing with a 4-stroke engine)
Once you have calculated the volume, which is always constant, we must calcolarci the mass flow rate,
that is, the LB/MIN (MASS),which may vary according to the pressure and temperature of the air.
The law of ideal gas / the mass flow rate of air:
The law of perfect gases is the equation is very convenient.
It relates the pressure, temperature, volume and mass (i.e. pounds) of air.
Knowing three of these quantities, we can calculate the fourth. The equation is:
P*V = n*R*T
where:
P is the absolute pressure (NOT the pressure measured by the pressure gauge),
V is the volume,
n is the number of moles of air (which is the unit of mass in this case),
R is a constant
T is the absolute temperature.
What are the temperature and the pressure absolute?
absolute pressure(psia)= pressure gauge(psig) + atmospheric pressure
The absolute pressure is the pressure in a duct is measured by a pressure gauge that marks 0 when this is atmospheric)
added to the atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure at the ****llo of the sea is approximately 14.7 psi.=100kpa=1bar
Example:
"turbo pressure 1.5 bar + atmospheric pressure where you live 0,97 bar =2,47 bar absolute"
The scale of the pressure gauge can be in psia or psig. The a stands for absolute, g for gauge (that measured by the gauge).
The perfect vacuum is 0psia, or -14,7 psig.
The absolute temperature is the temperature expressed in degrees Fahrenheit + 460.
This gives degrees Rankine, marked with R. If the outside temperature is 80°F, the absolute temperature is 80+460=540R.
The Law of perfect gases can be rewritten to calculate any of the variables.
For example, knowing pressure, temperature and volume of air, we can calculate the pounds (mass) of air:
n = (P*V)/(R*T)
These we need from the moment that we know the pressure (or the pressure),
the volume, and we can make a good estimate of the temperature.
In this way, we can calculate how many pounds of air the engine is processing.
And the greater the mass of air processed, the greater the power that can be obtained.
Reverse formulas:
To calculate the mass of air:
n[lbs/min] = {P[psia]*V[cfm]*29}/{10,73*T[R]}
To calculate the volume of air:
V[cfm] = {n[lbs/min]*10,73*T[R}]/{29*P[psia]}
(as before, the 29 is the constant of equivalence, 10,73, instead, serves to convert the moles of air in pounds of air)
volumetric efficiency of the engine or volumetric efficensy:
Expressed as a percentage, indicates the actual amount of air that can get into the cylinders,
and changes in function of the conformity of the engine, 2valvole/4 valves/5valvole,
ducts, pipes, and various restrictions,to develop the engine head in an effective way,
tends to increase the volumetric efficiency
For an engine LAMPREDI, this value is estimated to 0.85 (85%).
Larger valves, cam shafts, machining of the head, turbocharger dynamics, etc.,
closer this value to 1 (100%).
when we calculate the amount of air that enters the engine,
we have to multiply the amount of air that is ideal for the efficiency to obtain the real value.
Amount of air = (amount of air in LB/MIN)*(volumetric efficiency in %)
Example: let's calculate the pounds of air flowing into the engines of two cars different
a equipped with intercooling and without intercooling.
We assume a volumetric efficiency of 0.85 for both engines.
Suppose we perform the calculation at 5000RPM. What is the volume of air drawn from both?
Volume [cfm] = (5000*97)/(1728*2) = 140,34 cfm (3974l/min)
This value is valid for both engines, with intercooler and the one that does not.
At 5000RPM each process 140,34 cfm of air per minute.
We take the model without the intercooler:
The temperature of the air in the intake manifold is about 212°F (100°C).
The pressure provided by the compressor is 19psi (1.3 bar).
That air mass is developing the engine?
Absolute temperature = 212°F+460 = 672R
Absolute pressure = 19psig+14,7 = 33,7 psia
n [lbs/min] = (33,7 psia*140,34 cfm*29)/(10,73*672R) = 19,02 pounds of air per minute (ideal)
the air volume actual = (lbs/min ideal)*(volumetric efficiency) = 19,02*0,85 = 16,167 lbs/min (7,35 kg of air)
We now turn to the model with the intercooler:
In this case, the temperature of the air in the intake manifold is only 77°F (25°C).
This engine is supercharged with 17psi (1,15 bar).
Absolute temperature = 77°F+460 = 537R
Absolute pressure = 17psig+14,7=31,7 psia
n [lbs/min] = (31,7 psia*140,34 cfm*29)/(10,73*537R) = 22,39 pounds of air per minute (ideal)
the air volume actual = (lbs/min ideal)*(volumetric efficiency) = 22,39*0,85 = 19,032 lbs/min (8,65 kg of air)
What denotes a first look at these two examples?
our engine equipped with intercooler, while having pressures turbo low
processes a greater mass of air, as cooler temperatures help them breathe in more oxygen..
and more oxygen means more power.