Technology and Technology and the Human the Human ExperienceExperienceSeminar PresentationSeminar Presentation

July 22, 2005July 22, 2005

Greg BuggéGreg Buggé

Read the MachineRead the Machine

A Different PerspectiveA Different Perspective

The First Diesel EngineThe First Diesel Engine

The InspirationThe Inspiration

Nicolas Léonard Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot Sadi Carnot (1796 - 1832)(1796 - 1832)

Thermodynamic Thermodynamic PrincipalsPrincipals

Heat EngineHeat Engine Foundation of Foundation of

Diesel’s IdeasDiesel’s Ideas

Heat EngineHeat Engine

An ideal engine that An ideal engine that transforms heat into worktransforms heat into work

Goal was to make the engine Goal was to make the engine as efficient as possibleas efficient as possible

Early engines wasted more Early engines wasted more heat than they usedheat than they used

Watt’s Steam EngineWatt’s Steam Engine

Steam’s EfficiencySteam’s Efficiency

Although the Although the steam engine steam engine helped helped revolutionize revolutionize the industrial the industrial process it was process it was only about 7% only about 7% efficientefficient

Lynwood Bryant “Rudolf Diesel and His Rational Engine,” Lynwood Bryant “Rudolf Diesel and His Rational Engine,” Scientific AmericanScientific American August 1969, 116August 1969, 116

Diesel’s IdeaDiesel’s Idea

Use Carnot’s idea of the Heat Use Carnot’s idea of the Heat EngineEngine

Envisioned it would replace Envisioned it would replace steam for everything from steam for everything from sewing machines to battleshipssewing machines to battleships

Problems to OvercomeProblems to Overcome

Compress air to a very high pressure Compress air to a very high pressure and temperatureand temperature

Choose the right fuelChoose the right fuel Inject the fuel into the high-pressure Inject the fuel into the high-pressure

airair Control the timing and amount of fuel Control the timing and amount of fuel

injectioninjection Mix the fuel in the time availableMix the fuel in the time available Ignite the mixtureIgnite the mixtureLynwood Bryant “The Development of the Diesel Engine,” Lynwood Bryant “The Development of the Diesel Engine,” Technology and CultureTechnology and Culture July July 1976: 437-4381976: 437-438

Diesel’s CalculationsDiesel’s Calculations

Carnot’s Work Diesel’s Patent Drawings

Diesel’s PatentDiesel’s Patent

Fuel IdeasFuel Ideas

Diesel believed he could obtain Diesel believed he could obtain more work from fuels such as “coal, more work from fuels such as “coal, or almost any other combustible” to or almost any other combustible” to an efficiency of 73 Percentan efficiency of 73 Percent

Lynwood Bryant “Rudolf Diesel and His Rational Engine,” Lynwood Bryant “Rudolf Diesel and His Rational Engine,” Scientific AmericanScientific American August 1969, 116 August 1969, 116

Diesel’s ThinkingDiesel’s Thinking

Knew that as air was compressed it also Knew that as air was compressed it also rose in temperaturerose in temperature

Introduced fuel at just the right momentIntroduced fuel at just the right moment Explosion of fuel and air mixture drove Explosion of fuel and air mixture drove

the piston down providing the workthe piston down providing the work Hi Efficiency=Economy, even in small Hi Efficiency=Economy, even in small

enginesengines This would enable industry to decentralizeThis would enable industry to decentralize

Lynwood Bryant “Rudolf Diesel and His Rational Engine,” Lynwood Bryant “Rudolf Diesel and His Rational Engine,” Scientific AmericanScientific American August August 1969, 119-1241969, 119-124

Diesel’s First Engine Diesel’s First Engine 18971897

System IntroductionSystem Introduction

Two-Cylinder, Two-Cylinder, 60HP Engine60HP Engine

Match Factory Match Factory in Kemptenin Kempten

First Realistic First Realistic Trial - Trial - Required a Required a Support BaseSupport Base

Support and LearningSupport and Learning

Two Mechanics to Maintain and Two Mechanics to Maintain and OverhaulOverhaul

Types of cooling and lubrication Types of cooling and lubrication requiredrequired

Engine control under varying Engine control under varying loadsloads

Fuel Injection ProblemsFuel Injection ProblemsLynwood Bryant “The Development of the Diesel Engine,” Lynwood Bryant “The Development of the Diesel Engine,” Technology and CultureTechnology and Culture July 1976: 443July 1976: 443

Early Diesel Engine UseEarly Diesel Engine Use

1904 Four diesel engines in the Kiev Municipal Transport Authority, the first  power plant of its kind.

Public AcceptancePublic Acceptance

““Wonderful New Motor…An Oil Engine Wonderful New Motor…An Oil Engine Without Smoke, Smell or Electric Without Smoke, Smell or Electric Ignition…Ignition…New York TimesNew York Times April 7, 1901 April 7, 1901

““Oil Burner Sure to Replace Steam Oil Burner Sure to Replace Steam Engine”…Engine”…Chicago TribuneChicago Tribune April 2, 1905 April 2, 1905

Newspaper articles found in ProQuest Historical Newspapers

Mankind’s GratitudeMankind’s Gratitude

““If the Diesel frees the streets from the If the Diesel frees the streets from the smell of the motor car and yacht smell of the motor car and yacht decks and ladies’ dresses from the decks and ladies’ dresses from the cinders of a steamer funnel, the cinders of a steamer funnel, the German inventor will have claim on German inventor will have claim on the gratitude of mankind.”the gratitude of mankind.”

“German Oil Engine, It Uses the Crude Oil Without Smell or Dirt-Is Being Introduced into England and France,” Los Angeles Times, April 25, 1901. ProQuest Historical Papers

EconomicsEconomics

EngineEngineInitialInitial

Expense*Expense*OperatingOperating

Expense*Expense*

ElectricElectric 400400 649649

Ordinary Ordinary Oil Oil

EngineEngine644644 791791

Diesel Oil Diesel Oil EngineEngine 815815 421**421**

Gas*** Gas*** EngineEngine 580580 585585

*In Pounds Sterling **Based on Borneo Oil at 3.75 Pence per gallon ***Illuminating Gas“The Diesel Oil Engine, A Comparison of Working Expense,” The Wall Street Journal, June 9, 1902, ProQuest Historical Papers.

Replacement of SteamReplacement of Steam

Gradual Shift in Industry from Gradual Shift in Industry from Steam to DieselSteam to Diesel

Maritime IndustryMaritime Industry England worried about the shift from England worried about the shift from

Coal to OilCoal to Oil World’s Largest Producer of CoalWorld’s Largest Producer of Coal

Now…or Then?Now…or Then?

“No New Oil Oceans in Sight;Rapidly Increasing Demand”

“Thorough Survey of the Whole World’s Petroleum ConditionsLeads to Conclusions of the Greatest Import”

Now…or Then?Now…or Then?

“No New Oil Oceans in Sight;Rapidly Increasing Demand”

“Thorough Survey of the Whole World’s Petroleum ConditionsLeads to Conclusions of the Greatest Import”

Los Angeles Times May 4, 1913 ProQuest Historical Newspapers

Rudolf DieselRudolf Diesel

1858 - 1913