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For LPG Thermodynamic

Analysis:
(Four cylinder, 2.5 liter)

𝑉1 = 𝑉𝑑 + 𝑉𝑐 = 0.000625
+ 0.0000822
𝑉1 = 0.0007072 𝑚3
𝑃1 𝑉1 (100)(0.0007072)
𝑚𝑚 = =
𝑅𝑇1 (0.287)(333)
𝑚𝑚 = 0.000740 𝑘𝑔

State 1:
𝑇1 = 60℃ ≈ 333𝐾 , From Table 1
𝑃1 = 100𝑘𝑝𝑎 , From Table 1

State 2: The compression stroke 1-2 is isentropic:

𝑃2 = 𝑃1 (𝑟𝑐 )𝑘 = (100𝑘𝑝𝑎)(14)1.35 = 𝟑𝟓𝟐𝟓. 𝟗 𝒌𝑷𝒂


𝑇2 = 𝑇1 (𝑟𝑐 )𝑘−1 = (333𝐾)(14)1.35−1 = 𝟖𝟑𝟗𝑲
𝑻𝟐 = 𝟓𝟔𝟔℃

State 3: Using equation for the heat added during one cycle:

𝑄𝐻𝑉 𝐸𝑐 = (𝐴𝐹 + 1)𝑐𝑣 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 )


(46500)(1.0) = (15.6 + 1)(0.821)(𝑇3 − 839)
𝑻𝟑 = 𝟒𝟐𝟓𝟏𝑲 ≈ 𝟑𝟗𝟕𝟖℃
𝑇3 4251
𝑃3 = 𝑃2 ( ) = (3525.9) ( )
𝑇2 839
𝑷𝟑 = 𝟏𝟕𝟖𝟔𝟒. 𝟖𝟒 𝒌𝑷𝒂
State 4: Power stroke 3-4 is isentropic:

1 𝑘−1 1 1.35−1
𝑇4 = 𝑇3 ( ) = (4251) ( )
𝑟𝑐 14
𝑻𝟒 = 𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟖𝑲 ≈ 𝟏𝟒𝟏𝟓℃

1 𝑘 1 1.35
𝑃4 = 𝑃3 ( ) = (17864.84) ( )
𝑟𝑐 14
𝑷𝟒 = 𝟓𝟎𝟔. 𝟔𝟕 𝒌𝑷𝒂

𝑇1 333
𝐸𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜 = 1 − ( ) = 1 − ( )
𝑇2 839
𝑬𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒐 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟎𝟑 ≈ 𝟔𝟎. 𝟑%
For Gasoline Thermodynamic
Analysis:
(Four cylinder, 2.5 liter)

𝑉1 = 𝑉𝑑 + 𝑉𝑐 = 0.000625
+ 0.0000822
𝑉1 = 0.0007072 𝑚3
𝑃1 𝑉1 (100)(0.0007072)
𝑚𝑚 = =
𝑅𝑇1 (0.287)(333)
𝑚𝑚 = 0.000740 𝑘𝑔

State 1:
𝑇1 = 60℃ ≈ 333𝐾 , From Table 1
𝑃1 = 100𝑘𝑝𝑎 , From Table 1

State 2: The compression stroke 1-2 is isentropic:

𝑃2 = 𝑃1 (𝑟𝑐 )𝑘 = (100𝑘𝑝𝑎)(8.6)1.35 = 𝟏𝟖𝟐𝟔 𝒌𝑷𝒂


𝑇2 = 𝑇1 (𝑟𝑐 )𝑘−1 = (333𝐾)(8.6)1.35−1 = 𝟕𝟎𝟕𝑲
𝑻𝟐 = 𝟒𝟑𝟒℃

State 3: Using equation for the heat added during one cycle:

𝑄𝐻𝑉 𝐸𝑐 = (𝐴𝐹 + 1)𝑐𝑣 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 )


(43000)(1.0) = (14.6 + 1)(0.821)(𝑇3 − 707)
𝑻𝟑 = 𝟒𝟎𝟔𝟒. 𝟒 𝑲 ≈ 𝟑𝟕𝟗𝟏. 𝟒 ℃

For Constant Volume:


𝑇3 4064.4
𝑃3 = 𝑃2 ( ) = (1826) ( )
𝑇2 707
𝑷𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎𝟒𝟗𝟕. 𝟑 𝒌𝑷𝒂
State 4: Power stroke 3-4 is isentropic:

1 𝑘−1 1 1.35−1
𝑇4 = 𝑇3 ( ) = (4064.4) ( )
𝑟𝑐 8.6
𝑻𝟒 = 𝟏𝟗𝟏𝟑. 𝟗 𝑲 ≈ 𝟏𝟔𝟒𝟎. 𝟗 ℃
1 𝑘 1 1.35
𝑃4 = 𝑃3 ( ) = (10497.3) ( )
𝑟𝑐 8.6
𝑷𝟒 = 𝟓𝟕𝟒. 𝟕𝟖 𝒌𝑷𝒂
𝑇1 333
𝐸𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜 = 1 − ( ) = 1 − ( )
𝑇2 707
𝑬𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒐 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟐𝟖𝟗𝟗 ≈ 𝟓𝟐. 𝟗%
The result of the Thermodynamic Analysis for LPG and Gasoline (see Fig.1)

LPG GASOLINE
Temperature
T1 60oC or 333K 60oC or 333K
T2 566oC or 839K 434oC or 707K
T3 3978oC or 4251K 3791.4oC or 4064.4K
T4 1415oC or 1688K 1640.9oC or 1913.9K
Pressure
P1 100 kPa 100 kPa
P2 3525.9 kPa 1826 kPa
P3 17,864.84 kPa 10,497.3 kPa
P4 506.67 kPa 574.78 kPa
Thermal Efficiency
%E 60.3% 52.9%

(FIG. 1)

These equations were gathered from the book of Willard W. Pulkrabek entitled
Engineering Fundamentals of the Internal Combustion Engine (Second Edition) as the basis for
our computations for each fuel namely the LPG and Gasoline.
The result of the analysis shows big difference in the temperature and pressure. To
further understand the difference of LPG and Gasoline in temperature (see Fig.2) and in pressure
(see Fig.3). These data will help us to understand the effect of different fuels in our cycle. This
analyzation will also help us in defining the benefits of each fuel used in our cycle. Constant
values, other given values and the problem can be found at Pulkrabek’s book.
This analysis is done to further learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each fuel
in the otto cycle and also their thermal efficiency.
TEMPERATURE

4000

3000

LPG
2000
GASOLINE

1000

0
T1 T2 T3 T4

(FIG.2)

PRESSURE
20000

15000

10000 LPG
GASOLINE

5000

0
P1 P2 P3 P4

(FIG.3)
The computations show that the LPG has higher thermal efficiency, temperature and
pressure compared with the Gasoline. This means that the LPG emits lesser emission unlike the
Gasoline. Higher thermal efficiency means more effective burning leading to lesser emissions.
This emission contains particulate matters that harm our environment. Particulate matter
is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air many of which are hazardous. This
complex mixture includes both organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke,
and liquid droplets. These particles vary greatly in size, composition, and origin.
Also, Cars and trucks produce air pollution throughout their life, including pollution
emitted during vehicle operation, refueling, manufacturing, and disposal. Additional emissions
are associated with the refining and distribution of vehicle fuel.
Air pollution from cars and trucks is split into primary and secondary pollution. Primary
pollution is emitted directly into the atmosphere; secondary pollution results from chemical
reactions between pollutants in the atmosphere. The following are the major pollutants from
motor vehicles:
 Particulate matter (PM) - These particles of soot and metals give smog its murky
color. Fine particles — less than one-tenth the diameter of a human hair — pose the
most serious threat to human health, as they can penetrate deep into lungs. PM is a
direct (primary) pollution and a secondary pollution from hydrocarbons, nitrogen
oxides, and sulfer dioxides. Diesel exhaust is a major contributor to PM pollution.

 Hydrocarbons (HC) - These pollutants react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of
sunlight to form ground level ozone, a primary ingredient in smog. Though beneficial
in the upper atmosphere, at the ground level this gas irritates the respiratory system,
causing coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity.

 Nitrogen oxides (NOx) - These pollutants cause lung irritation and weaken the
body's defenses against respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza. In
addition, they assist in the formation of ground level ozone and particulate matter.

 Carbon monoxide (CO) - This odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas is formed by
the combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline and is emitted primarily from cars and
trucks. When inhaled, CO blocks oxygen from the brain, heart, and other vital organs.
Fetuses, newborn children, and people with chronic illnesses are especially
susceptible to the effects of CO.

 Sulfur dioxide (SO2) - Power plants and motor vehicles create this pollutant by
burning sulfur-containing fuels, especially diesel. Sulfur dioxide can react in the
atmosphere to form fine particles and poses the largest health risk to young children
and asthmatics.

 Hazardous air pollutants (toxics) - These chemical compounds have been linked to
birth defects, cancer, and other serious illnesses. The Environmental Protection
Agency estimates that the air toxics emitted from cars and trucks — which include
Benzene, acetaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene — account for half of all cancers caused by
air pollution.

 Greenhouse gases - Motor vehicles also emit pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, that
contribute to global climate change. In fact, cars and trucks account for over one-fifth
of the United States' total global warming pollution; transportation, which includes
freight, trains, and airplanes, accounts for around thirty percent of all heat-trapping
gas emissions.

These emission help contribute in destroying our environment that is why this analysis is
done to innovate towards greener engineering. Fuels are tested and improved to help save our
environment and also to become more economically efficient.

LPG, also known as propane and auto-gas, is a by-product of crude oil extraction and the
refining process. Many people who consider LPG as an alternative to petrol do so because they
believe that the combustion of propane results in lower CO2 emissions. Unfortunately, the jury is
still out on this matter. In fact two recent studies found conflicting results in terms of the
production of hydrocarbons from the combustion of LPG. The first found a significant increase
of CO2 emissions compared to petrol, and the other showed a slight increase at a low engine load
but a considerable decrease at a high engine load. What is for certain is that LPG burns cleaner
than petrol therefore emission of particulates is very low. Moreover, LPG is non-toxic, non-
corrosive and free of tetra-ethyl lead and additives. It also has a high octane rating (The octane
rating is a measure of how likely a gasoline or liquid petroleum fuel is to self-ignite. The higher
the number, the less likely an engine is to pre-ignite and suffer damage).

In terms of fuel costs, LPG costs a little more than half the price of petrol or diesel, but
fuel economy is about 20-25% lower. Therefore you can get much more bang for your buck or in
vehicle parlance, more miles per gallon. According to the AA, overall running costs of an LPG
car is approx. a third less than a petrol only car – but only once you’ve recovered the cost of the
conversion. The cost of converting an existing petrol car so it can run on petrol or LPG costs
between £1,500 and £2,500. In order to make this investment worthwhile you will need to travel
around 14,000 miles a year (i.e. if you have a typical delivery van then you are most likely doing
about 20,000 miles p.a., LPG is therefore a good option to consider if you are trying to reduce
your total life operating costs for the van).

From an insurance perspective, the AA advises that the installer should provide you with
a registration receipt to show that the conversion has been done correctly. A copy of this will be
required by your insurance company. In short the benefits of LPG vs. petrol fuel cars are
significant, but only make economic sense if you are running at high engine loads and doing at
least 14,000 miles a year.

This conversion will cost you around 79,751.21 Philippine Pesos to 132,918.69 Philippine
Pesos making it expensive in terms of changing your fuel to LPG but it will only be
advantageous for those who use their vehicles as their means of daily transportation.
Vehicle emissions are recognised as one of the main contributors to climate change, but LPG
is widely recognised for its inherent environmental benefits. Autogas offers an immediate
reduction of up to 15% in CO2 emissions compared to a petrol-powered vehicle, while up
to 80% of damaging particulates are eliminated by replacing a diesel engine with an LPG
fuelled equivalent. A further benefit is that LPG vehicles operate relatively more cleanly when
the engine is cold – and most vehicles are used for very short journeys.

Filling an LPG tank is a fully sealed process so it also benefits the environment during
refuelling. When filling up with petrol or diesel, chemical vapours escape into the atmosphere
and can also be inhaled. This does not happen with Auto-gas.

These are some advantages of LPG as fuel:

 Cost efficient - To date, using LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is 50% cheaper than
regular gasoline because of gas price hikes more people are becoming more open to
using LPG for their vehicles.
 Reduces exhaust emissions - LPG for cars is a definite option for those who want to
go green because it produces fewer emissions.
 Higher octane rating - LPG has an octane rating of 108 compared to petrol’s
numbers, which vary by location.

While LPG has positives, there are some disadvantages:

 Poor Availability - Compared to petrol and diesel, LPG isn’t readily available. Few
service stations offer LPG for vehicles.
 Expensive Installation - The cost to convert a vehicle to use LPG can exceed $3,000.
 Bulky tank - If you have a new car, you may have to spend more money in order to
fit a LPG tank inside the vehicle.

Engine easily overheats. Using LPG is not recommended for long trips, as the engine tends to
overheat easily.
Cars that run on LPG top end of engine performance may be 'clipped' by a small amount,
typically 5% (but not with every engine / gas system combination). In reality, no-one drives in
the top-end range very often so this reduction is hardly significant. Also consider that most cars
converted to LPG have the largest engines (cc). Reduction of performance at the top end is least
noticeable with a larger engine and so it becomes less of an issue. (If this does become an issue
at some point remember that you always have the ability to revert to petrol at the flick of a
switch).

According to most drivers of LPG converted cars report that they cannot
find any difference in the overall performance of their vehicle when running on LPG. It has a
lower calorific value than petrol. (It produces less total heat and therefore less peak pressure in
the cylinder.) Simply put, LPG gives slightly less 'bang' per charge. LPG is slightly less potent as
an internal combustion engine fuel. The driver will instinctively react to this by opening the
throttle more to achieve the desired speed or rate of speed increase (often called acceleration).
Thus, more liquid fuel (LPG) will be used than when running on petrol. The actual increase in
liquid volume consumed varies between 10 and 20%. A mean figure of 15% increase in fuel
volume consumed is a good figure to rely upon.

Although LPG produces less total heat (it has a lower calorific value) that heat is released
in a shorter time. The reason for this is that LPG is a 'perfect' gas at ordinary atmospheric
temperatures whilst petrol vapour is liquid that has been forced to vaporize. The cooling effect of
liquid petrol droplets is not present with LPG and the total heat is released more quickly. A
greater heat 'spike' is the result. The engine will run slightly hotter, although the difference may
not be large enough to show on the temperature gauge. Only the cylinder head
temperature (CHT) will increase significantly (although not enough to cause any problems).

Most cars do not have a device for monitoring CHT (unlike aircraft). A typical car
temperature gauge measures coolant temperature only, which is much more of a general picture.
Leading on from that, it follows that an engine running on LPG will ' warm up ' more quickly
than it would on petrol. Petrol consumption is extremely high when the engine is cold as a choke
or excess fuel device (both giving a very rich mixture) must be used. LPG scores over petrol
again, as this is not necessary. LPG does not need an artificially rich mixture and the engine
warms (to its normal operating temperature, where it is most efficient) even more quickly as a
result.
LPG has a high octane rating (it tends to give less 'knock') and is more easily and
thoroughly mixed with air. One of the results of this can be a quieter and smoother running
engine.

In cold or damp ambient conditions, rapidly vaporising LPG can cause refrigeration icing
around the regulator and gas mixer unit. The result can be narrowing of the induction system (at
the venturi) by deposited ice. A temporary reduction of performance may be
experienced (manifested as 'flat' spots, backfiring, and an inability to increase speed or even an
'engine cut'). This is why you are well advised to run your engine up to temperature when such
conditions exist.

Meanwhile, Gasoline is a fuel made from crude oil and other petroleum liquids. Gasoline
is mainly used as an engine fuel in vehicles. Refineries in the United States produce about 19
gallons of gasoline from every 42-gallon barrel of crude oil that is refined. Refineries and
companies that produce the finished motor gasoline sold in retail gasoline fueling stations may
add various liquids so that the gasoline burns cleaner and meets air pollution control standards
and requirements. Most of the motor gasoline now sold in the United States also contains about
10% fuel ethanol by volume. This is required by a federal law intended to reduce the amount of
oil that the United States imports from other countries.

There are three main grades of gasoline sold at retail gasoline refueling stations:
o Regular
o Midgrade
o Premium

Some companies have different names for these grades of gasoline, like unleaded,
super, or super premium, but they all indicate the octane rating, which reflects the anti-knock
properties of gasoline. Higher ratings result in higher prices.
Before 1996, lead was added to gasoline as a lubricant to reduce wear on engine
valves. Leaded gasoline was banned for sale in the United States on December 31, 1995.
Manufacturers recommend the grade of gasoline for use in each model of a vehicle. However,
most gasoline-fueled vehicles will operate on regular gasoline, which is usually the least
expensive grade.

Gasoline is the most commonly used fuel for our vehicles. These are the advantages of
using Gasoline as fuel:

 It can be extracted easily - Technologies that are used for extracting oil beneath the
planet’s surface are well developed. These days, it is extremely easy to exploit oil
deposits in different geological conditions. It does not matter if these reserves are to
be extracted beneath the ocean’s surface or in regions with special climate conditions.

Petroleum is also not that difficult to produce, though most of the low-cost locations are
already depleted. Now, it is being mined off sea coasts and tar sands. Technology for oil
refineries has also reached its maturity, which means that refining it to get valuable products,
such as gas and diesel, have also become quite easy.

 It has high density - The average 1 kilogram of burnt oil can generate up to 10,000
kilocalories. This means that, for only small amounts, petroleum can generate a
substantial amount of energy.
 It can be extracted at a low cost - Due to the fact that petroleum production requires
reduced technical and physical effort, it is sold cheaper compared to other sources of
energy.
 It can easily be transported - Because petroleum is in liquid form, it is just easy to
transport. It can be brought from extraction sites to power plants through pipes or
vehicles. Aside from easy transport, it can also be stored conveniently.
 It is highly available with good infrastructure for transport and use - Oil is
widely distributed to almost every part of the globe. In fact, there exists a massive
infrastructure to transport it through ships, pipelines and tankers.
 It has broad areas for application - Aside from being the primary energy source of
power plants to supply the high demands for energy of the modern world, it is used to
power machines of all types, including heavy equipment, power generators and
vehicles.
 It is a crucial element in industries - Besides being an essential commodity for
transport, petroleum is a critical component in a wide variety of industries. It is
difficult to think of another product that has such a huge role to play for creating other
products, such as vaseline, medicines and clothing.
 It can power up almost all types of vehicles - This is an obvious advantage of
petroleum. Whether they are diesel or gasoline vehicles, they can be run by oil. Using
oil is beneficial in terms of satisfying our need to quickly move from one place to
another.
 It can support constant power use - Unlike alternative energy sources, such as solar
and wind, oil can produce power 24/7 and is highly reliable. Plus, oil engines are a
technology in a mature state and are highly reliable to work with.
 It is a powerful source of energy - Taking into consideration cars, they can travel
longer and run faster when powered by petroleum.

While Gasoline has positives, there are some disadvantages:

 Its resources are limited - Like any other natural fossil fuel, petroleum is a limited
resource. High demands for energy by the modern society have stressed the
conventional sources of oil reserves. The decrease in supply is clearly indicated by
the ever increasing cost of petroleum on the market these days. Now, power plants are
having a hard time extracting petroleum as reserves are nearly drought. In fact,
studies reveal that almost half of oil reserves (which is about 2 trillion barrels) have
been utilized, where only one trillion barrels left.

There might be some other sources of petroleum on earth, but experts say that these cannot
produce enough oil to sustain all our needs.
 It contributes to environmental pollution - Extracting and burning petroleum
generates greenhouse gases that contribute to environmental pollution and,
consequently, global warming. This means that degradation of our ecosystems will be
made faster if we choose petroleum as our main source of energy.
 It produces hazardous substances - Production of petroleum, especially refining,
produces harmful and toxic materials, including plastic. Take note that oil exists as a
mixture of hydrocarbons with traces of sulfur and other compounds, which are
elements of harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and plastic.
 It is a non-renewable form of energy - Once burned to generate electricity,
petroleum cannot be replaced. Depletion of fuels can occur overtime and can lead to
their limited supply. When this happens and demands are high, oil costs will
significantly increase, leading economical conflicts between nations. Thus, we should
find alternative energy resources, so oil reserves can still continue to supply energy
for many years to come.
 Its transport can cause oil spills - If petroleum spills in bodies of water, adverse
effects in marine life are expected. Spills have caused massive ocean pollution,
causing the death of thousands of animals and fishes each year. As an example, the
BP Oil Spill had caused billions of dollars in losses.
 It sustains growth of terrorism and violence - Truth be told, oil is drilled in some
of the worst dictatorships in the world. Oil money goes directly into the hands of
despots who are amassing trillions of dollars. This gives rise to violence and growth
in terrorism, as oil money is somehow used in funding terrorist organizations. Aside
from this, this powerful pool of money also managed to suppress voices of protests.

Despite the many advantages brought by petroleum, it still cannot be denied that it also
leads to unfavorable consequences. So, we need to be aware of these factors and take them as
reminders that petroleum needs to be utilized wisely.

Gasoline compared with LPG is much more expensive especially in the Philippines.
According to the Department of Energy, their price ranges from Php 40.35 per liter to Php 45.21
per liter for Gasoline and Php 471 per liter to Php 690 per liter.
These difference in fuel benefits lets us know how to become more decisive in terms of
buying our cars according to what kind of fuel they are using and converting our cars from petrol
to LPG and how it affects our engine’s performance.

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