Running Head: FOUR STROKE DIESEL ENGINES

Four Stroke Diesel Engines

Definition, Advantages, Disadvantages, and Applications
John Paul B. Untalan
Southern Luzon State University

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ABSTRACT

The aim of this report is to introduce the fundamentals of Four Stroke Diesel Engines. The
information traces the mechanism of the four stroke process. It also involves the advantages and
disadvantages of this type of diesel engine, as well as its different applications. Whenever possible, the
report explores and refers to current research and future developments in this field. Key Words:
engine, diesel engine, four stroke diesel engine.

FOUR STROKE DIESEL ENGINE

Four Stroke Diesel Engines

Definition, Advantages, Disadvantages, and Applications
Engines are machines designed to convert one form of energy to mechanical energy.[1]
Diesel engine (sometimes called as compression-ignition or CI engine) in particular, is an
internal combustion engine wherein the injection of the fuels ignition into the combustion
chamber is caused by the high temperature which the air achieves during compression.
Throughout the compression process, the fuel injector secures that the fuel is fragmented down
into small droplets, and is distributed evenly until such time that it will vaporize and be ignited
by the heat and form combustion at a substantially constant pressure.[2] Basically, the most
commonly used diesel engine nowadays is the four-stroke engine.[3]
Four-stroke engine (also known as four-cycle engine) is a diesel engine in which the
generation process is divided into four parts. Each part is recognized as piston stroke. In diesel
engine, stroke is denoted to be the maximum distance travelled by a piston in a single direction.
The piston only moves freely in an upward and downward direction. During the four-stroke
engine process, the piston move two times up and down while the crankshaft move two complete
revolutions to accomplish the four piston cycle.[4] Substantially, the four types of strokes
involved in this process are the suction or intake stroke, compression stroke, power stroke, and
the exhaust stroke.[5]
During the suction or intake stroke, a vacuum pressure is created in the cylinder due to
the downward movement of the piston, causing a fuel and air mixture to be drawn from the
intake port to the combustion chamber. The intake valve closes automatically as the piston goes
downward; beginning from the top until such period that it reaches the bottom dead center.[6]
After the piston passes from the bottom of the cylinder, the compression stroke takes place. Both

FOUR STROKE DIESEL ENGINE

intake and exhaust valves are closed during this process and it is where the piston moves upward.
The movement itself compresses the air into a small space between the top of the piston and the
cylinder head, which results to the air compressed be equal to 1/22 or less of its original
volume.[7] Next is the start of the second revolution cycle through power stroke. While the piston
is at the top, the compressed air is then ignited by the diesel engine generated heat. The
consequential pressure from the combustion of the compressed fuel-air mixture forces the piston
to goes back down to the bottom dead center.[8] Lastly, the exhaust stroke transpires to complete
the four-stroke process. It is when the piston once again moves upward while the exhaust valve
is open and pushes the compressed air through the exhaust port. As the piston reaches the top
dead center, ending the exhaust stroke, the intake valve opens to begin the suction or intake
stroke for the next cycle, and so on and so forth.[9]
The four-stroke diesel engine is commonly used because of its numerous advantages
compared with the other types in terms of torque, efficiency, durability and environmental
considerations. Generally, four-stroke engines always make extra torques at low rotation per
minute which makes the engine more reliable and quiet. It also lasts longer and more durable as
power is only produce once in every four strokes. Four-stroke engine is also convenient by
environmental considerations because it doesnt need to burn oil lubricant to fuel which produces
smoke that will lead to air pollution. On the other hand, it also has its own disadvantages. Fourstroke engine is further expensive and is more complicated compared with the other type because
it has valves and more parts to worry about which will make it harder to troubleshoot.[10] Most
industrial sectors uses four-stroke diesel engine prodigiously because it provides more per unit of
fuel and its volatility is lower which makes it safer to handle.[11] It is widely used as power
source for many motor vehicles as well as heavy equipments. Diesel became more recognized

FOUR STROKE DIESEL ENGINE

since the price of diesel is lower as compared to petrol. It can also be used in non-transportation
applications such as being able to back-up a generator power and other non-road diesel engines
like construction equipments and agricultural tractors.[12]

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References

1. Engine. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine
2. Diesel Engine. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_engine
3. 2 Stroke and 4 Stroke Engines. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.deepscience.com/articles/engines.html
4. How does a Four Stroke Diesel Engine Work?. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.mechanicalbooster.com/2014/02/how-does-a-four-stroke-diesel-engine-orcompression-ignition-engine-work.html
5. Four Stroke Engine. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroke_engine
6. Four Stroke Cycle Diesel Engine. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://enginemechanics.tpub.com/14081/css/Four-Stroke-Cycle-Diesel-Engine-16.htm
7. How does a Four Stroke Diesel Engine Work? (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.mechanicalbooster.com/2014/02/how-does-a-four-stroke-diesel-engine-orcompression-ignition-engine-work.html
8. How Do You Explain the Working of a Four Stroke Diesel Engine? (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-explain-the-working-of-a-four-stroke-diesel-engine
9. Four Stroke Cycle Diesel Engine. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://enginemechanics.tpub.com/14081/css/Four-Stroke-Cycle-Diesel-Engine-16.htm
10. Anonymous. (2013, June 10). 4 Stroke Engine Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved from
http://blog.mbuynow.com/4-stroke-engine-advantages-and-disadvantages/

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11. Industrial Diesel Engine Types and Application. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.dieselserviceandsupply.com/industrial_industry_usage.aspx
12. Diesel Engine Modern High and Medium Speed Engines. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_engine#Modern_high_and_medium-speed_engines