1. Energy analysis

The performance of an internal combustion engine, or more generally of any thermal machine, depends on the correct distribution of the primary energy (fuel mixture) released during the combustion phase. This distribution between useful mechanical energy and losses is conditioned by the choice of architecture and control of the thermal parameters governing the system.

By applying the first principle of thermodynamics and the energy conservation equation to the open system of the combustion chamber, we can understand energy transformations and define the concepts that will be used throughout this article.

Applying the first principle of thermodynamics to the volume V of the combustion chamber (figure...