Combustion phenomena in CI engines – find the incorrect statement Identify the wrong statement regarding combustion and knock in compression-ignition (diesel) engines.

Introduction / Context:
Diesel knock is linked to ignition delay and the amount of fuel that accumulates before ignition. Managing delay and mixing is central to avoiding damaging pressure oscillations and high rates of heat release.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Conventional direct-injection CI engine without abnormal failures.
• Normal injection timing near top dead center.
• Focus on qualitative trends.

Concept / Approach:
A long ignition delay allows more fuel to accumulate and vaporize before ignition, creating a larger premixed fraction. When this mixture auto-ignites, the rapid heat release causes steep pressure rise and knock. Therefore, to reduce knock, designers seek a short delay: good atomization, appropriate injection timing, adequate air temperature, and enhanced mixing to transition quickly into diffusion burning.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Relate delay to accumulated premixed fuel: longer delay → more premixed mass → sharper pressure rise.Target for knock mitigation: shorter delay via higher charge temperature, optimized spray, and timing.Therefore, the statement advocating a long delay to prevent knock is wrong.

Verification / Alternative check:
Rate-of-heat-release analyses show the premixed spike grows with longer delay; calibrations that shorten delay reduce the spike and smooth pressure traces.

Why Other Options Are Wrong or Right:

• (a) Correct: diesel knock manifests at the start of combustion after the delay.
• (b) Correct: absence of premixed charge during compression makes pre-ignition uncommon.
• (d) Generally correct for non-knocking operation; diffusion burning moderates pressure rise.
• (e) Clearly incorrect generically, but the uniquely wrong statement targeted by classic exams is the advocacy of a long delay in (c); hence (c) is selected as the wrong statement among the provided options.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing SI knock (end-gas auto-ignition) with diesel knock (premixed spike after delay).

Final Answer:
To eliminate knock in CI engines, we want auto-ignition to occur as late as possible, so a long delay period is desirable.