Answer :
Final answer:
The control wedge in a common rail system of a diesel engine is used to regulate fuel injection. The ratio of initial to compressed volume in an adiabatic compression from 20 °C to 600 °C with an adiabatic index of 1.4 is approximately 15.5.
Explanation:
In the common rail system of solid fuel injection in a diesel engine, a control wedge is generally used to regulate the start and duration of fuel injection, affecting the engine's performance and emissions. In a diesel engine, air is compressed adiabatically to a temperature above the ignition temperature of the fuel. To find the ratio V₁/V₂ when air at 20 °C is compressed adiabatically to 600 °C, we use the adiabatic process formula for ideal gases: V₁/V₂ = (T₂/T₁)^(1/(y-1)), where y is the adiabatic index (1.4 for air). Converting temperatures to Kelvin and plugging in the values: V₁/V₂ = (873/293)^(1/0.4) ≈ 15.5.
