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Mean Effective Pressure – MEP – Otto cycle

MEP is a very useful measure of an engine's capacity to do work that is independent of engine displacement.
MEP is a useful measure of an engine’s capacity to do work independent of engine displacement.

A parameter used by engineers to describe the performance of reciprocating piston engines is known as the mean effective pressure, or MEP. MEP is a useful measure of an engine’s capacity to do work independent of engine displacement. There are several types of MEP. These MEPs are defined by the location measurement and calculation method (e.g.,, BMEP or IMEP).

In general, the mean effective pressure is the constant theoretical pressure that would produce the same network as developed in one complete cycle if it acted on the piston during the power stroke. The MEP can be defined as:

mean effective pressure - definition

For example, the net indicated mean effective pressure, known as IMEPn is equal to the mean effective pressure calculated from in-cylinder pressure (there must be this measurement) over the complete engine cycle. Note that it is 720° for a four-stroke engine and 360° for a two-stroke engine.

Some examples:

  • MEP of an atmospheric gasoline engine can range from 8 to 11 bar in the region of maximum torque.
  • MEP of a turbocharged gasoline engine can range from 12 to 17 bar.
  • MEP of an atmospheric diesel engine can range from 7 to 9 bar.
  • MEP of a turbocharged diesel engine can range from 14 to 18 bar

For example, a four-stroke gasoline engine producing 200 N·m from 2 litres of displacement has a MEP of (4π)(200 N·m)/(0.002 m³) = 1256000 Pa = 12 bar. As can be seen, the MEP is useful characteristics of an engine. For two engines of equal displacement volume, the one with a higher MEP would produce the greater net work and, if the engines run at the same speed, greater power.

 
References:
Nuclear and Reactor Physics:
  1. J. R. Lamarsh, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory, 2nd ed., Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA (1983).
  2. J. R. Lamarsh, A. J. Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3d ed., Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN: 0-201-82498-1.
  3. W. M. Stacey, Nuclear Reactor Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, ISBN: 0- 471-39127-1.
  4. Glasstone, Sesonske. Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Reactor Systems Engineering, Springer; 4th edition, 1994, ISBN: 978-0412985317
  5. W.S.C. Williams. Nuclear and Particle Physics. Clarendon Press; 1 edition, 1991, ISBN: 978-0198520467
  6. Kenneth S. Krane. Introductory Nuclear Physics, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 1987, ISBN: 978-0471805533
  7. G.R.Keepin. Physics of Nuclear Kinetics. Addison-Wesley Pub. Co; 1st edition, 1965
  8. Robert Reed Burn, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Operation, 1988.
  9. U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 1 and 2. January 1993.

Advanced Reactor Physics:

  1. K. O. Ott, W. A. Bezella, Introductory Nuclear Reactor Statics, American Nuclear Society, Revised edition (1989), 1989, ISBN: 0-894-48033-2.
  2. K. O. Ott, R. J. Neuhold, Introductory Nuclear Reactor Dynamics, American Nuclear Society, 1985, ISBN: 0-894-48029-4.
  3. D. L. Hetrick, Dynamics of Nuclear Reactors, American Nuclear Society, 1993, ISBN: 0-894-48453-2. 
  4. E. E. Lewis, W. F. Miller, Computational Methods of Neutron Transport, American Nuclear Society, 1993, ISBN: 0-894-48452-4.

See above:

Otto Cycle