Calculation of Indicated and Effective Engine horse power using Indicator

diagram, Fuel pump Index or Turbocharger speed

I) Calculation of engine Power with Indicator diagram

For engines with indicator drive or MIP-equipment, we can take the indicator diagram which can
be used to find the Mean Indicated Pressure (MIP). Dont get confused between MIP and MEP.
Former is the Indicated mean pressure while MEP is the effective pressure availabel after friction
losses in the shaft.
Calculation of the indicated and effective engine power consists of the following steps:
Calculate:
- The mean indicated pressure, pi
- The mean effective pressure, pe
- The cylinder constant, K
- The indicated engine power. Pi
- The effective engine power, Pe
-The mean indicated pressure, Pi
Mean Indicated Pressure, pi
Pi (bar) = A
L x Cs
A = A is the area of the Indicator diagram measured with a Planimeter in mm^2
Cs = Spring constant of the drive in mm/bar (vertical movement of the indicator stylus (mm) for
a 1 bar pressure rise in the cylinder)
L = length of the indicator' diagram (atmospheric line)
The mean effective pressure, pe
(for BMW engines)
pe = pi - kt (bar)
where
kt = the mean friction loss
The mean friction loss has proved to be practically independent of the engine load. By
experience, kt has been found to be:
S26MC: kt = 1.50 bar
L35MC: kt = 1.25 bar
S35MC: kt = 1.15 bar
L42MC:kt = 1.10 bar
S42MC: kt = 1.00 bar
Cylinder Constant, K

The cylinder constant, K is determined by the dimensions of the engine, and the units in which
the power is
wanted.
For power in kW : = 1,30900 x D^2 x S
For power in BHP : = 1,77968 x D^2 x S
where:
D (m) = cylinder diameter
S (m) =piston stroke
The indicated engine power, Pi
Pi = K x n x pi (ikW or ihp)
where
n (rpm) = engine speed.
The effective engine power, Pe
Pe = K x n x pe (kW or bhp)
where
n (rpm) = engine speed.
This effective power is used to calculate the SFOC of the engine. Click here to know how to
calculate SFOC of engine
II) Power calculation without Indicator Diagram
The estimation is based on nomograms involving engine parameter measurements taken on
testbed. the graphs are provided in the manual
1) Fuel Pump Index method
The fuel pump index is used to find out the mean effective pressure from the nomogram graph.
Again form the graph, the mep at a specific speed gives the engine bhp.
This method should only be used as a quick (rough) estimation, because the fuel oil, as well as
the condition of the fuel pump, may have great effect on the index. In particular, worn fuel
pumps or suction valves tend to increase the index, and will thus result in a too high power
estimation.
Chart I: draw a horizontal line from the observed fuel pump index to the nomogram curve, and
then a vertical line down to the observed engine speed on Chart II. From this intersection a
horizontal line is drawn to the effective engine power scale. (This method is specific for some
engines. many other parameters are included to calculate the BHP in bigger engines)
This effective power is used to calculate the SFOC of the engine. Click here to know how to
check the SFOC

So some factors are not included in calculating the BHP of the engine. Click here to view another
example of BHP calculation using more parameters (will be updated soon).

(Graph is specific for a type of engine)

2) Turbocharger speed method
This method id more accurate than the Fuel pump index method. Chart III: draw a horizontal line
from the observed tscav value and an inclined line from the observed turbocharger speed. From
the intersection point, draw a vertical line down to the nomogram curve and then a horizontal
line to the vertical tine from the observed ambient pressure (point x in the ambient pressure
scale). Finally, a line is drawn parallel with the inclined 'ambient pressure correction' lines. The
effective engine power can then be read on the scale at the right hand side, i.e. 8,000 bhp.