ABSTRACT
Diesel engines are based on the principle of compression ignition. Air is introduced alone into the combustion chamber with the opening of the intake valves. The air intake is facilitated by the downward movement of the piston that creates a pressure differential through volume expansion. Turbochargers are often used to force more air into the combustion chamber to increase air density to burn more fuel for the same displacement. The air, once in the system and the intake valve closed, is then compressed to reach high pressure and high temperature. Fuel is injected at this point to initiate combustion. The fuel is ignited by the high temperature induced by compressing air, hence the name compression ignition. The combustion of the air/fuel mixture creates the expansion that forces the piston to move downward again, producing power output.
