Analyzation of Engine Reports and the Benefits they offer for the future of Mechanical Engineering

 

Javier Munoz

Department of English, City College of New  York

ENGL 21007

Professor Rodwell

3/8/23

Automobiles have been around for 137 years  and there are many different ways to modify them, making them faster, more reliable and efficient. Finding ways to improve engines in automobiles has always been intriguing and interesting. Lab reports are done to find these new ways to improve diesel and natural gas powered automobiles. This analysis will include three labs “Thermodynamic Cycle Analysis of an Automotive Internal Combustion Engine With the Characteristics of the Commercial BMW N54 Spark-Ignition Model,” “Limitations of Natural Gas Lean Burn Spark Ignition Engines Derived From Compression Ignition Engines,” and “Diagnosing mechanical damages not detected by the OBD system of diesel engines”. Each report explains different engines with the intentions of advancing the current models. Each of the labs is well constructed but has a few flaws. Adjusting these flaws can create greater lab reports that are easier to understand for the intended audience.

The first lab  “Thermodynamic Cycle Analysis of an Automotive Internal Combustion Engine With the Characteristics of the Commercial BMW N54 Spark-Ignition Model” will be referred to as Report 1. In Report 1, simulations were done to a model engine with the same specifications as a N54 BMW engine. Instead of a spark ignition engine, a compression engine will be used. In these simulations the engines are compared the amount of torque, air to gas ratio, energy efficiency, heat that the engine can take at top speeds. Comparing these results to the numbers given by BMW to find an accurate representation of the N54 BMW engine. This will create cost and labor efficient models for further tests. The results state that the model engine  is an accurate model, as when the amount of torque, air to gas ratio and energy efficiency are compared they are very close.

“Limitations of Natural Gas Lean Burn Spark Ignition Engines Derived From Compression Ignition Engines,” referred to as Report 2. In report 2, simulations were done to compression ignition engines as they will be converted to partially have spark ignition engine features. These features include the use of a spark plug, flames in the ignition process and the use of natural gas instead of diesel. Using spark ignition features can create more fuel efficient situations as now the engine could also use natural gas and not just diesel which isn’t very efficient and is worse for the environment. Testing parts of the compression ignition engine such as the cylinders to find the spark ignition alternative by inserting a spark plug in the area where the compression ignition usually takes place can create high torque when needed but also be fuel efficient at lower torque situations. The results show that the spark ignition features can be placed in a compression ignition diesel car successfully to keep the high torque as well as increase fuel efficiency and use natural gas not only diesel.

The third lab “Diagnosing mechanical damages not detected by the OBD system of diesel engines” will be referred to as Report 3. Report 3 explains that diesel engines have certain mechanical problems that can not always be detected by the OBD system. An OBD system is an on board diagnostics scanner which connects to the computer of the car which reads if there are any codes. Tests were run to discover ways to find  these problems before they cause major damage to the engine. The results suggest that the vibroacoustic system can detect problems that the OBD system can not detect. These codes explain what the problems are with the car. The vibroacoustic system sends sound waves through the car to build a sound diagram on a monitor to find problems within the automobile. These sound waves are compared to those of what an ideal vibroacoustic diagram should appear.

Report 1 is well constructed as it consists of most of the components of a valid lab report. The abstract is vivid with details on the simulations that were run as well as the why they were run. The introduction explained the specifications of the engine and what is  trying to be replicated but instead of changing it to another spark ignition it is changed to a compression ignition engine. The phrases spark ignition and compression ignition should be explained more as the explanation is vague because there are different types of compression ignition engines that can create a huge difference in results. The method showed the equations that were used which were very intricate. The results go straight to the point on what occurred during the simulations giving a written and visual explanation, the results were clear and labeled. The conclusion showed the success of the built model which gave an understanding that compression models of spark ignition engines can be created. All the information had a reason and there wasn’t any irrelevant information creating a well written report.

Report 2 starts with a well written abstract, including the reason for why the lab is being done and going right into what is included in the lab from the first line. The introduction thoroughly explains the difference between spark and compression ignition engines which is the main topic of the report, it is very informative. The method is concise and descriptive on what simulations they are running and what data each simulation gives. The results left out one of the simulations that was stated in the method. No reason was given for the exclusion of the simulation results. The conclusion is clear cut, answering the reasoning for the lab directly, stating the thesis, summarizing the results, and what the results mean for the thesis. The conclusion explained how the lab fulfilled the purpose of the thesis.

Report 3 has a mediocre abstract as more information is needed on the systems being used. An explanation of a vibroacoustic system is missing as well as an explanation about the OBD system. The OBD system stands for “On Board Diagnostic system”. The abstract didn’t have any specific information on these two systems. The method section goes into depth on why   the vibroacoustic system and OBD system are being used for. The method section doesn’t explain the reasoning on why the OBD system can not detect some of the major problems. The results are well explained with what is given in the method section. There is a need for more explanation overall. The conclusion was more informative than the rest of the report as it summarizes everything very well.

All of the reports were missing a discussion section. This section is key for labs such as Report  1 and Report 3 because they were missing information in the abstract and introduction. Out of all of the reports, Report 2 had the best format and explanation. Report 2 went into depth in the abstract, introduction, method and conclusion section. It lacked information in the results but the conclusion made up for it with a summary of the important information from the method and results. Report 3 was the weakest report of them all. It was vague overall and didn’t explain the main topic very well. It assumed that the intended audience would guess on certain information that was given. The construction of all of the labs is great, only missing the discussion section which is more needed in Reports 1 and 3 than in Report 2. Report 2 is the most informative and descriptive lab report which can best be understood by the intended audience. Report 2 could’ve been near perfect if it had more explanation in the results section. Overall each lab has its strengths and weaknesses, there are always improvements that can be made.

References

Douvartzides Savvas, Karmalis Ioannis, Ntinas Nikolaos, (2020. October),     Thermodynamic Cycle Analysis of an Automotive Internal Combustion Engine With the Characteristics of the Commercial BMW N54 Spark-Ignition Model, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, https://asmedigitalcollection-asme-org.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/energyresources/article/142/10/102301/1075835/Thermodynamic-Cycle-Analysis-of-an-Automotive?searchresult=1

Dumitrescu Emil Cosmin, Liu Jinlong, (2020 December),                                                     Limitations of Natural Gas Lean Burn Spark Ignition Engines Derived From Compression Ignition Engines, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, https://asmedigitalcollection-asme-org.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/energyresources/article/142/12/122308/1084221/Limitations-of-Natural-Gas-Lean-Burn-Spark?searchresult=1

Zawisza Maciej, (2016 October),                                                                                           Diagnosing mechanical damages not detected by the OBD system of diesel engines, EBSCOhost, https://web-s-ebscohost-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&sid=d9e30e0a-383a-43c7-973f-9dc2b96ba373%40redis

Memorandum

Date: March 13, 2023

To: Readers

From: Javier Munoz

Subject: Lab Report Analysis

 

This is being written to inform you about three labs that concentrate on making engines function in a greater manner and how well written the reports are.

• The main struggle was keeping the analysis interesting to the reader as I believed it seemed boring from the first draft.
• Through a lot of trial and error I believe that I found a balance to make the paper both interesting and informative.
• It took five drafts total and there were two drafts that Professor Rodwell assisted a lot by putting her thoughts and ideas to improve my paper.

 

The three reports helped with advancements in the automotive industry as there are always advancements to be made. Creating a solid lap report is always important as it explains everything that is being done and why it is being done. Each lab had its strengths as well as weaknesses.

Outline

Javier Munoz 

2/22/23

English 21007

Professor Rodwell

 

Introduction-

• Thesis statement- The lab reports all have great structure and mainly include everything that is needed for the intended audience to understand what the lab is for. 
• My interest for this lab report is that I enjoy working on cars. 
• My topic is finding ways to improve engines including diesel and natural gas engines. Finding ways to make an engine more fuel efficient, increase power, be cost efficient and find problems which can’t be found with normal equipment 
• All reports speak about engines. One on how to make diesel engines more fuel efficient and have more power, another one on how models can be made with the same specifications and be made cheaper and more accurate, and the last on how to detect problems without the OBD (on board diagnostics) sensor.

Body: 

• Summaries: 
• Report 1: Simulations were done to a model engine with the same specifications as a N54 BMW engine but instead it is a compression ignition engine instead of a spark ignition, in these simulations they compared the amount of torque, air to gas ratio, energy efficiency, heat that the engine can take at top speeds, they compare these results to the numbers given by BMW to find an accurate representation of the N54 BMW engine in order to create cost and labor efficient models for further tests, the results state that it is an accurate model as when the numbers are compared they are very close.
• Report 2: Simulations are done to compression ignition engines as they are being converted to partially have spark ignition engine features, using spark ignition features can create more fuel efficient situations as now the engine could also use natural gas and not just diesel which isn’t very efficient and is worse for the environment, testing parts of the compression ignition engine such as the cylinders to find the spark ignition alternative by inserting a spark plug in the area where the compression ignition usually takes place can create high torque when needed but also be fuel efficient at lower torque situations, the results show that the spark ignition can be placed in a compression ignition diesel car successfully to keep the high torque as well as increase fuel efficiency and use natural gas not only diesel.
• Report 3: Diesel engines have certain mechanical problems that can not always be detected by the OBD system sensor, tests are being run to l discover ways in order to discover these problems before they cause major damage to the engine, the results suggest that the vibroacoustic system can detect problems that the OBD sensor can not detect.
• Report 1 Analysis:
• Abstract: Talks about what simulations they are going to run and why. Everything is explained well in what they are going to do.
• Introduction: Explains the specifications of the N54 BMW engine and how they are also putting those same specifications in the model. Some words need to be explained more as they are very vague. 
• Method: The simulations and the purposes of each simulation is explained in depth and is very well explained as they go into depth about the calculations and equations they are using as well. 
• Results: All the tables with the results are shown. They compare the results of the model engine with the given numbers of the N54 from BMW. Explained well. 
• Conclusion: Brought together all the results and explained what they meant. Showing how the model was a success as it is very close to the actual N54 engine despite being a compression ignition engine instead of a spark ignition engine. Concludes the entire lab well. 
• Report 2 Analysis: 
• Abstract: Spoke about how diesel engines aren’t fuel efficient and are used a lot daily in automobiles. Spark ignition being introduced into compression ignition automobiles can help fuel efficiency and the environment as instead of using so much diesel they use natural gas. Explains well.
• Introduction: Explains the difference between spark ignition engines and compression ignition engines. Needed more information overall about the topic. 
• Method: Talks how they want to put a spark plug in the area where the compression ignition would take place to convert it into a spark ignition instead. Want to keep the same high power at low speed and how they will do it. Shows the equations needed in order to perform the simulation. Very well structured.
• Results: Shows how the simulations and conversion was successful as the spark ignition created a high torque at low speed still as well as a more fuel efficient engine at high speeds. Showing many graphs to show the power and fuel efficiency. Very well done. 
• Conclusion: Explains how the results show a success as the goal was achieved. High torque at low speeds, higher fuel efficiency at high speed and the use of natural gas releases less harmful gasses into the air. Summarizes the lab well. 
• Report 3: 
• Abstract: The reason for the experiment is to find a way to find problems within a diesel engine that the OBD sensor can not pick up. They are going to use a vibroacoustic system to find these problems. Structure is good. 
• Introduction: Explains what an OBD system is and how it is used to find problems within the engine. Explains how OBD can not sense all the problems within the engine which leads to further problems. Explains what a vibroacoustic system is and does. Very well done.
• Method: How they are going to use the vibroacoustic system and explains in general how the diesel engines problems are going to be detected. Needs more explanation over how they detect exact problems. 
• Results: Shows how the vibroacoustic system detected problems that the OBD couldn’t which prevented further problems with the engine. What is needed is stated so well. 
• Conclusion: 
• Compare: Explain how they all had similar structure and which parts were strong and weak and compare. Report 1 had a strong Method section but Report 3 didn’t. Explain how they all have connections to the topic. 

Conclusion: 

• Explain which report was best and why, Report 1 was the best…
• What parts of the reports could’ve been done better and how. Report 1 could’ve explained how the introduction can include more knowledge so the intended audience can get a better grasp of the topic.