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Internal combustion engine vs. external combustion engine: What is the difference between these two engines?
In the world of power engineering, internal combustion engines and external combustion engines occupy a pivotal position. There are significant differences in the principles, structures and application scenarios of these two engines, which affects their efficiency and operation. Understanding these differences is of great significance to the development of future energy technologies and the formulation of environmental protection policies.
The key to engine efficiency is the ratio of work available to heat absorbed.
Internal combustion engine: the challenger of high efficiency
Internal combustion engines, as the name suggests, are engines that burn internally. It is mainly divided into gasoline engines and diesel engines. Gasoline engines usually use the Otto cycle, while diesel engines rely on the diesel cycle to operate. The way an internal combustion engine works involves fuel mixing with air inside the cylinder and then igniting, causing an explosion to produce power.
In internal combustion engines, one of the biggest challenges is how to effectively control the combustion process and improve thermal efficiency. The thermal efficiency of internal combustion engines is typically only between 20% and 40%, which means that most of the fuel energy is wasted in the form of heat. Many modern car manufacturers are continuously investing in research and development to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
The efficiency of an internal combustion engine is limited by a variety of factors, including compression ratio, friction losses, and power losses.
External combustion engine: representative of traditional energy
Unlike internal combustion engines, external combustion engines convert thermal energy into kinetic energy during the combustion process. Examples of such engines include steam engines and gas turbines. The operation of these engines involves taking water or other fluid as a medium and heating it to drive a piston or turbine, thereby producing power.
The thermal efficiency of external combustion engines is usually lower than that of internal combustion engines, mainly due to losses during the conversion of heat between different media. However, with the development of modern technology, the efficiency of gas turbines has been improved, and the thermal efficiency of some new gas turbines can reach 46% or even 61%.
Comparison of efficiency between the two
Both internal combustion engines and external combustion engines have their own advantages and disadvantages, and their efficiency differences mainly come from their working principles and heat conversion processes. Generally speaking, internal combustion engines are more efficient at high loads and speeds, but their efficiency decreases significantly at low speeds and loads. However, external combustion engines operate at relatively stable efficiency under high pressure and temperature, but may still be affected by efficiency losses under certain circumstances.
Timely supply of fuel and precise combustion control are the keys to improving engine efficiency.
Conclusion: Facing the challenges ahead
With the increasing global awareness of reducing carbon emissions and environmental protection, technological innovations in internal combustion engines and external combustion engines have become increasingly important. The emergence of various new technologies, such as hybrid power systems and the use of alternative fuels, has also given the market new thinking about the application directions of these two engines. Looking at the overall технических решений, which engine will dominate future power system development?
