Using the Ideal Gas Law and Heat Release Models to Demonstrate Timing in Spark and Compression Ignition Engines

Analysis techniques of internal combustion engines range from thermodynamic methods to complex engine design programs. Thermodynamic analyses preclude engine timing while the details of engine design programs are beyond the level of undergraduate courses. This article combines the ideal gas law with heat release models and an engineering equation solver to demonstrate timing in spark and compression ignition internal combustion engines in a manner that can be used in undergraduate courses.