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Internal Combustion Engines

Open cycles

operating with

internal combustion

are the most common type of

gas power cycle

In an

internal combustion engine

, the fuel is burned within the system to release the heat to operate the cycle.

Types of Gas Power Cycles:

Open Cycles

Internal Combusion (IC)

vs.

Closed Cycles

External Combustion (EC)

In an

open cycle

, the

working fluid

is drawn in, compressed, heated and then expanded just one time and then it leaves the system.

Process flow diagram of an open gas power cycle.

Gasoline and diesel reciprocating engines power cars, trucks and most ships.

Gas turbines

power many warships as well as jet aircraft.

Gas turbines

are also commonly used in natural gas-fired electric power generation plants.

Lesson
9E Blog

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Lesson 9E: page 2 of 16

Gas power cycles can be characterized based on how they obtain heat from the heat source and whether the working fluid is recycled or discarded.
In an open cycle, the working fluid is used once and discarded. It does not actually complete the full cycle and return to its original state.
Because these cycles usually use air as the working fluid, it is generally cost-effective to discard the warm turbine exhaust and take in fresh air as feed to the compressor.
Gas power cycles or engines can also be divided into two groups based on where the combustion reaction to liberate heat from the fuel takes place.
The diagram on this page shows an internal combustion engine. In this type of gas power cycle, the combustion reaction takes place inside the system.
Open cycle, internal combustion engines are the most common type of gas power cycle.
Examples include automobile and jet engines and gas-turbine engines used to propel warships.
Gas turbines are also becoming more popular for electrical power generation.
Although they aren’t very common, let’s take a look at external combustion power cycles next.

Internal Combustion Engines

Open cycles

internal combustion

gas power cycle

internal combustion engine

open cycle

working fluid

Gas turbines

Gas turbines

Ch 9, Lesson E, Page 2 - Internal Combustion Engines