An Assessment of the Relative Benefits of Miller Cycle and Turbocompounding on a Medium Speed Diesel Engine Using Second Law Analysis

The relative benefit of a power turbine as a means of exhaust energy recovery (i.e., turbocompounding) being used in conjunction with altered intake valve closure timing (Miller cycle) on a medium speed diesel engine has been investigated. An assessment of the impact of these different engine architectures on the various loss mechanisms has been performed using second law analysis. The Miller and turbocompounding cycle modification as well as the combination of the two features were studied and their relative benefits are compared and discussed. Results show the corresponding decrease in effective compression ratio achieved with Miller cycle leads to lower pre-turbine exhaust availability, which decreases the potential benefit of turbocompounding.