Thermodynamic simulation comparison of opposed two-stroke and conventional four-stroke engines

Today’s technology leveraging allows OP2S (Opposed Piston 2-Stroke) engine to be considered as an alternative for the conventional four-stroke (4S) engines as mechanical drive in various applications, mainly in transportation. In general, OP2S engines are suited to compete with conventional 4-stroke engines where power-to-weight ratio, power-to-bulk volume ratio and fuel efficiency are requirements. This paper does present a brief advent, as well as the renaissance of OP2S engines and the novel technologies which have been used in the new approach. Also precise thermodynamic benefits have been considered, to demonstrate the fundamental efficiency advantage of OP2S engines. Hence, simulations of two different engine configurations have been taken into consideration: a one-cylinder opposed piston engine and two-cylinder conventional piston four-stroke engine. In pursuance of fulfilling this goal, the engines have been simulated in AVL Boost™ platform which is one of the most accurate Virtual Engine Tools, to predict engine performance such as combustion optimization, emission and fuel consumption. To minimize the potential differences of friction losses, the bore and stroke per cylinder are taken as constant. The closed-cycle performance of the engine configurations is compared using a custom analysis tool that allows the sources of thermal efficiency differences to be identified and quantified. As a result, brake thermal efficiency, power and torque of OP2S engine have been improved compared to conventional engines while emission concern has been alleviated.