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What is Compression Ratio?

Jessica Reed
Jessica Reed

Compression ratio refers to the volume, or amount, of an air and fuel mixture that the combustion chamber in a combustion engine can hold when it is empty and at its largest size compared to the volume it holds when the mixture is compressed down to the smallest size possible. This ratio applies to both internal combustion engines, such as those found in modern-day vehicles, and seldom-used external combustion engines. Diesel- and gas-powered engines alike each have a compression ratio, though the design of the diesel engine encourages a higher compression ratio. Engines with higher compression ratios are generally considered better because they create more power while still maintaining efficiency.

To calculate the compression ratio of an engine, an engineer would first calculate the volume a cylinder in the engine can hold when the piston is at the bottom of the cylinder. During one stroke of the engine, the piston moves from the bottom up toward the top and compresses the air-fuel mixture. After finding the volume of the cylinder when the piston is down, and therefore not compressed yet, the engineer would then need to calculate the volume when the piston is up and the air-fuel mixture has been compressed. A ratio such as 13:1, for example, means that the engine holds 13 times more volume when the piston is down than when it is compressed. The amount of air-fuel mixture does not change, but rather is simply pressed into a significantly smaller space to create a large explosion.

Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline ones, in part, because they use high compression to ignite fuel.
Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline ones, in part, because they use high compression to ignite fuel.

Diesel engines use compression to create the temperature at which diesel oil ignites the air-fuel mixture that creates the necessary power to drive the vehicle forward. High compression ratios in gas engines often cause a problem known as engine knocking. Diesel engines, on the other hand, are designed for high compression in order to function. A ratio of 13:1 is considered high in a gas engine while a diesel engine can range from 14:1 up to 23:1 depending on the type.

Compression ratio applies to both internal combustion engines, such as those found in modern-day vehicles.
Compression ratio applies to both internal combustion engines, such as those found in modern-day vehicles.

High compression ratios cause more power by compressing the air and fuel even tighter than average and thus creating a more forceful explosion. The tight packing of the air-fuel mixture helps both air and fuel to blend better and when the explosion occurs more of the mixture evaporates. More evaporation is a sign of higher thermal efficiency, meaning the engine performs better without using too much extra energy to gain this power.

The disadvantage of a higher compression ratio in a gas engine is the possibility of engine knocking or pinging. This occurs when a larger explosion than desired occurs and causes the piston to move upward or downward too quickly. A loud knocking noise results and, if not fixed, continuous engine knocking can permanently damage the engine. Cars using gas with a higher octane rating or a knocking sensor can use higher compression ratios, but still cannot match the high ratio of a diesel engine.

Discussion Comments

Markerrag

Apparently, one of the reasons performance cars almost died in the 1970s was because car makers had to adjust to new, federal emissions and fuel economy requirements. Trying to meet those guidelines while maintaining high compression was terribly expensive and difficult, so you had huge engines cranking out a tiny amount of power (the 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am with a 400 cubic inch engine, for example, turned out a miserable 180 horsepower).

Compare that to the 21st century when a V-6 in a Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro or Dodge Challenger produces north of 300 horsepower.

Ain't technology wonderful?

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    • Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline ones, in part, because they use high compression to ignite fuel.
      By: alpegor
      Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline ones, in part, because they use high compression to ignite fuel.
    • Compression ratio applies to both internal combustion engines, such as those found in modern-day vehicles.
      By: vicky
      Compression ratio applies to both internal combustion engines, such as those found in modern-day vehicles.