If you are a marine engineer or aspiring to be one, then it’s obvious that you would eat, breath, and sleep marine engines. The study of marine engines forms an integral part of marine engineering syllabus. Needless to say, it is imperative for every marine engineer to know this important machine inside out.
Marine engine is a complex machine, which requires years of experience and knowledge for understanding and handling the same. Moreover, there are several engineering terms which an engineer should know like the back of his hand.
In this article, we have enumerated eight important definitions of marine engine terms which are extremely important and which will be used throughout the professional life of a marine engineer.
1. Swept Volume
Swept volume can be defined as the volume swept by the engine piston during one stroke.
Swept volume is also the product of piston area and stroke.
2. Clearance Volume
Clearance volume can be defined as the volume that remains in the cylinder when the engine piston is in the top-centre position.
Clearance volume can also be defined as the difference between the total cylinder volume and the swept volume. The space covered by the clearance volume also forms the combustion chamber.
3. Compression Ratio
Compression ratio can be defined as the value obtained by dividing the total cylinder volume by the clearance volume.
Compression ratio is generally between 12 and 18; however, it depends on the design of the engine. Compression ratio outside this ration would either prevent engine from starting or lead to other problems.
Marine engines with smaller cylinders will have higher compression ratio.
4. Volumetric efficiency
Volumetric efficiency can be defined as the ratio of the volume of air drawn in to the cylinder to the swept volume.
In marine engines, the volumetric efficiency generally falls between 0.85-0.95.
5. Scavenge Efficiency
Scavenge efficiency can be defined as the ratio of the volume of air in the cylinder at the start of the compression to the volume swept by the piston from the top edge of the ports to the top of the strokes.
6. Air Charge Ratio
Air charge ratio can be defined as the ratio of the air contained in the cylinder at the start of the compression to the swept volume of the piston. It is also known as air mass ratio or air supply ratio.
In four stroke marine engines, the value of air charge ratio will fall in the range of 0.85 to 4.
In two stroke engines, the value will be in the range of 0.85 to 2.5
7. Natural aspiration
Natural aspiration is a term which mainly applies to four stroke engines and is defined as the process by which air charge is brought in to the engine cylinder by only the downward movement of the piston without using other aids.
8. Supercharging
Supercharging is a term used to indicate that the weight of the air supplied to the engine has been considerably increased for greater fuel usage and power production per stroke.
It is also noted that supercharged engines produce more power as compared to non supercharged engines having the same stroke and speed.
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