COMPARISON OF KNOCK IN SI

AND CI ENGINES

In spark-ignition engines, the autoignition of

the end gas away from the spark plug, most

likely near the end of the combustion causes
knocking.
But in compression-ignition engines the

autoignition of the charge causing knocking is

at the start of combustion. It is the first charge
that autoignites and causes knocking in the
compression-ignition engines.

It is clear from Fig.12.18 that explosive autoignition is mpre or less over before the peak
pressure for the compression-ignition engines.
But for spark-ignition engines, the condition
for explosive autoignition of the end charge is
more favourable after the peak pressure.

In order to avoid knocking in

spark-ignition engines, it is necessary
to prevent autoignition of the end gas
to take place at all. In compression
ign itionengine, the earliest possible
autoignition is necessary to avoid
knocking

In spark-ignition engine, the charge that

autoignites is homogeneous and therefore

intensity of knocking or the rate of pressure
rise at explosive autoignition is likely to be
more than that in compression-ignition
engines where the fuel and air are not
homogeneously mixed even when explosive
autoignition of the charge occurs. Therefore, it
is often called detonation in SI engines.

In compression-ignition engines, only air is

compressed during the compression stroke

and the ignition can take place only after fuel
is injected just before the top dead centre.
Thus there can be no preignition in
compression-ignition engines as in sparkignition engines.

It has already been pointed out that, the normal

process of combustion in compression-ignition

engines is by autoignition.And thus normal rate of
pressure rise for the first part of the charge for
compression-ignition are higher than those for
sparkignition engine, in terms of per degree crank
rotation. And normally,audible knock is always
present in compression-ignition engine. Thus when
the audible noise becomes severe and causes
heavy vibrations in the engine, it is said that the
engine is knocking. Therefore, it is-also a matter of
judgement.

A definite demarcation between normal combustion

and knocking combustion is very difficult. The rate of

pressure rise may be as high as 10 bar per degree
crank rotation in compressionignition engines.
The factors that tend to increase autoignition reaction
time and prevent knock in SI engines promote knock
in CI engines. Also, a good fuel for spark-ignition
engine is a poor fuel for compression-ignition engine.
The spark-ignition fuels have high octane rating 80 to
100 and low cetane rating of about 20, whereas diesel
fuels have high cetane rating of about 45 to 65 and
low octane rating of about 30.