Originally Posted by MolaKule
Originally Posted by OilUzer
in general, what % of engine heat is generated by viscous shearing, combustion or friction? Anything else terminology wise? Is viscous shearing a component of friction which is causing the heat, and heating up the oil which is heating the block ...
I always thought that most of the engine heat is from combustion ... viscous shearing was mentioned in one the recent threads on this forum and made me wonder about the percentages....
Shannow's excellent references explains the energy distribution in technical detail.
Let's get back to energy and thermodynamic basics for a moment.
I like to think in terms of
energy conversions in this regard.
Potential Chemical energy from the fuel (via combustion) is converted to thermal and mechanical energy.
A majority of the chemical energy converted to thermal energy is blown out as hot exhaust gasses (fluid dynamics).
Some of that thermal energy is converted to do
actual mechanical work. That mechanical energy facilitates rotational motion in the form of torque.
Some of the mechanical sliding and rotational energy shears the lubricant because it has viscosity and viscosity tends to resist shearing. Some of the mechanical energy (oil pump) energy is also used to raise the pressure of the lubricant in the system for distribution. Overcoming ANY resistive force requires energy to overcome that resistive force.
The Mechanical action of shearing the oil or moving the oil is converted back to thermal energy which raises the temperature of the oil.
In general, higher fluid viscosity means more mechanical energy is used to shear and force the oil throughout the system. This raises the overall temperature of the bulk oil.
I hope this helps.
Thank you very much for putting it in words!
l have to get on my pc to be able to review/see Shannow's chart better and I'm not taking any credit away from his chart explanation!
your response answered one of my questions and misunderstanding regarding the main source of oil temperature. I thought the chemical energy in cylinder head (i.e. the controlled explosion
) is the main cause of oil temperature rise but as you put it the "majority" of that energy is "blown out as hot gases". Therefore not a major contributor to oil temperature rise. That also answers my other question re "oil carrying more heat from combustion ..." If the main cause/source of heat (in oil) is internal ( e.g. friction, shearing, etc.), heat transfer from cylinder head is insignificant. Hope I'm not oversimplifying it