ENGINE CRITERIA AND COMPARISON (PART 2)

J3182 / UNIT6 /2

Input
This section introduces the subject matter that you are going to learn.
6.0

Introduction
In this unit we are to discuss and study about the Morse test.

We

measure the b.p at a given speed followed by motoring of the engine with the
fuel supply cut off. This method can only be used on engines with an electrical
dynamometer. The torque can be measured under firing and motoring conditions
and the mechanical efficiency evaluated.

6.1

Morse Test
The Morse test is only applicable to multi-cylinder engines. The engine is
run at the required speed and the torque is measured. One cylinder is cut out, by
shortening the plug if S.I engine is under test, or by disconnecting an injector if a
C.I. engine is under test. The speed falls because of the loss of power with one
cylinder cut out, but restored by reducing the load. The torque is measured again
when the speed has reached its original value. If the value of i.p. of the cylinders
denoted by I1, I2, I3, and I4 (considering a four-cylinder engine), and the power
losses in each cylinder are denoted by L1, L2, L3, and L4, then the value of b.p.,
B, at the test speed with all cylinders firing is given by
B = (I1 L1 ) + (I2 - L2) + ( I3 L3 ) + (I4 L4 )

ENGINE CRITERIA AND COMPARISON (PART 2)

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If number 1 cylinder is cut out, then the contribution I1 is lost; and if the
losses due to that cylinder remain the same as when it is fired, then the b.p., B 1,
now obtain at the same speed is
B1 = ( 0 L1 ) + (I2 - L2) + ( I3 L3 ) + (I4 L4 )
Subtracting the second equation from the first gives
B B1 = I 1
By cutting out each cylinder in turn the values I 2, I3, and I4 can be obtained from
equations similar to B B1 = I1 .
Then, for the engine,
I = I 1 + I2 + I3 + I4
Example 1.0
A four-cylinder petrol engine has a bore of 57 mm and a stroke of 90 mm.
Its rated speed is 2800 rev/min and it is tested at this speed against a brake
which has a torque arm of 0.356 m. The net brake load is 155 N and fuel
consumption is 6.74 l/h. The specific gravity of the petrol used is 0.735 and it
has a lower calorific value, Q

net, v,

of 44 200 kJ/kg. A Morse test is carried out

and the cylinders are cut out in the order 1.2.3.4. with corresponding brake loads
of 111, 106.5, 104.2, and 111 N, respectively.

Calculate for the speed of the

following;
i.

engine torque, T

ii.

brake power, bp

iii.

brake min effective pressure, b.m.e.p

iv.

brake thermal efficiency, bt

v.

specific fuel consumption, s.f.c

vi.

mechanical efficiency, m

vii.

and indicator min effective pressure, i.m.e.p

ENGINE CRITERIA AND COMPARISON (PART 2)

i.

Engine torque, T

T W r
W 155 N
r 0.356m
T 155 N 0.356m
T 55.2 N .m

ii.

Brake power, b.p

b.p = 2NT

2 2800 55.2 N .m
60 103 s
b. p 16.2kW

` b. p

iii.

brake min effective pressure, b.m.e.p, Pb,

Pb LANn
bp 2NT
2
4NT
Pb
LANn
__g1033
16.2 2 4 60 103
Pb
0.09m 0.057m2 2800 4 105
Pb 7.55bar

iv.

brake thermal efficiency, bt

bt

bp
m f Qnet, v

16.2
1.377 10 3 44200
bt 0.266 26.6%

bt

m f 0.85 7.2kg / h
m f 1.377 10 3 kg / s

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ENGINE CRITERIA AND COMPARISON (PART 2)

v.

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specific fuel consumption ,s.f.c

sfc

mf

sfc

bp

1.377 103 3600kg / s

18.34 103 Nm / s

sfc 0.306 g / kWh

vi.

Using equation I1 = B B1for each cylinder in turn, and substituting

brake loads instead of the values of b.p since speed is constant, we
have
I1 = B B1 =155 111 = 44 N
I2 = B = B2 = 155 106.5 = 48.5 N
I3 = B B3 = 155 104.2 = 50.8 N
I4 = B B4 = 155 111 = 44 N
Hence for the engine, the indicated load , I, is given by
I = I1 + I2 +I3 +I4 = 44 + 48.5 + 50.8 +44 = 187.3 N.

Therefore from equation,

155
0.828
187.3

b. p
i. p
or

82.8%

From the definition of b.m.e.p, we have

b.m.e.p. = m =i.m.e.p

i.m.e.p, Pm =

b.m.e. p.

7.55
9.12 bar
0.828