Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Minimization of Fuel Consumption in Four Stroke Six Cylinder Engines Using Idle Speed Control

Received: 10 April 2017     Accepted: 14 June 2017     Published: 14 October 2025
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

In a distressed economy with increasing cost of fuel, it is necessary to achieve control of automobile engine over transient behavior and meet performance objectives within the planned life of the vehicle. In this paper the objective is to design a model predictive controller (MPC) that will minimize fuel consumption in a four stroke cylinder engine using idle speed control. Engine speed is most often affected by unexpected disturbances, and the higher the engine speed at idle the higher the consumption of fuel. Non linear dynamic equations of an idle speed engine were obtained and later transformed to equivalent linear equation by linearization method. The designed MPC was integrated with a linearized equation of the plant. The MPC approach was used to forecast and control the four stroke six cylinder engine model in the presence of unexpected disturbance to achieve the desired objective. Simulations were performed in Matlab/Simulink and the results obtained showed that at different instances when disturbances entered the system, with MPC controller in the loop, the instability introduced by the disturbance was eliminated and the referenced idle speed tracked. There by maintaining the engine idle speed at 600 RPM.

Published in American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12
Page(s) 175-184
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cost Minimization, Engine Model, Idle Speed, Model Predictive Control

References
[1] D. Hrovat and J Sun. Models and Control Methodologies for IC Engine Idle Speed control design. Control Engineering practice, vol 5,1997, pp. 1093 – 1100.
[2] K Butts, N. sivashankar, and J. Sun. Application of LI Optimal Control to the Engine Idle Speed Control Problem. IEEE Transactions on Control System Technology, Vol. 7, 1999, pp 258-270.
[3] S. Yurkovich, and M. Simpson. Crank Angle Domain Modelling and Control for Idle Speed. SAE Technical paper970027, 1997,
[4] D Shim, J park, P. P. Khargonekar and W. B Ribbens. Reducingautomative engine speed fluctuation at idle. IEEETrans. On Control Systems Technonlogy, 1996, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 404-410.
[5] H. Onder and H. P. Geering. Model-based multivariable speed and air-to-fuel ratio control of a Spark Ignition engine. Technical Report, 930859, SAE, 1993.
[6] F. Klawonn, J. Gebhardt and R. Kruse. Fuzzy control on the basis of equality relations with an example from idle speed control. IEE Trans. Fuzzy System., vol 3, 1995,
[7] M. N. Howell, and M. C. Best. Online PID tuning for engine idle-speed control using continuous action reinforcement learning automata. Control Engineering Practice, 8, no 2, 2002, pp. 147 – 154.
[8] A. Brahma and G. SRizzoni, and Qi Ma. Idle speed control for automative engines with an integrated starteralternator. World congress, vol 15 part 1, 2002,
[9] J. Yin, Y. Syu, B. Chen, Y. Wu, Y. Liang and H. Tsai. Application of adaptive idle speed control on v2 engines. SAE International Journal of Engines (9)1, 2016, 458-465.
[10] S. Banarezaie and M. Shalchian. Development of a model based combined fuzzy-pid controller for idle speedcontrol of internal combustion engine. Journal of Engineers, 38(38), 2015, 3-16.
[11] T. Fukui and H. Enomoto. Decreasing of the engine idle speed of a small gasoline engine with feedbackcontrol. SAE technical paper 2097171. 2009.
[12] Ali MajeedMahmood. Design of On-Line Tuned idle speed controller for an automative engine by using NCD. IJCCCE vol 12, No. 2, 2012.
[13] B. Badreddine, A. Zaremba, J. Sun., and F. Lin, "Active Damping of Engine Idle Speed Oscillation by Applying Adaptive Pid Control," SAE Technical Paper 2001-01-0261, 2001,
[14] P. V. Manvannan, M. Singaperumal, A. Ramesh. Development of an idle speed engine model using in-cylinderpressure data and an idle speed controller for a small capacity port fuel injected SI engine, International Journal ofAutomotive technology 12(1), 2011,
[15] F. Hsieh, B. Chen, and Y. Wu, "Adaptive Idle Speed Control for Spark-Ignition Engines," SAE Technical Paper2007-01-1197, 2007,
[16] GeXiaocheng, XuZhongming, Li Jingboand Zou Bowen. Fuzzy PID Model -Based Study on Idle Control of GasEngine, Open Cybernetics &Systemics Journal, 8, 2014, 660-666.
[17] Y. Zhang, N. Kurihara, H. Yamaguchi. Responsiveness Improvement of Idling Speed Control for.
[18] Automotive Using SMC, JSEA, Vol. 2 No. 5, 2009,
[19] Y. Fengfeng, S. Jiamin and W. Wenwen. Engine Idle speed control research status and developmenttrend. 4th International conference on Mechatronics, Materials, Chemistry and Computer Engineering. 2015.
[20] J. A. Cook; B. K. Powell, Modeling of an internal combustion engine for control analysis, 1988, Page(s): 20–26.
[21] AbhishekChaturvedi. Idle Speed Control of an Engine Model Using PID Control System, Research gate, 2015,
[22] A. G. Ulsoy, H. Peng andM. Çakmakci. Automotive Control Systems, Cambridge Univ. Press, NY. 2012, Page 54 – 77, page 126.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Ubbaonu, C. F. N., Dike, D. O., Opara, R. O., Paulinus-Nwamuo, C. F., Ezugwu, E. (2025). Minimization of Fuel Consumption in Four Stroke Six Cylinder Engines Using Idle Speed Control. American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 10(4), 175-184. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Ubbaonu, C. F. N.; Dike, D. O.; Opara, R. O.; Paulinus-Nwamuo, C. F.; Ezugwu, E. Minimization of Fuel Consumption in Four Stroke Six Cylinder Engines Using Idle Speed Control. Am. J. Sci. Eng. Technol. 2025, 10(4), 175-184. doi: 10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Ubbaonu CFN, Dike DO, Opara RO, Paulinus-Nwamuo CF, Ezugwu E. Minimization of Fuel Consumption in Four Stroke Six Cylinder Engines Using Idle Speed Control. Am J Sci Eng Technol. 2025;10(4):175-184. doi: 10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12,
      author = {Chinonso Francis Nkeoma Ubbaonu and Damian Obioma Dike and Raymond O. Opara and Chiedozie Francis Paulinus-Nwamuo and Ernest Ezugwu},
      title = {Minimization of Fuel Consumption in Four Stroke Six Cylinder Engines Using Idle Speed Control
    },
      journal = {American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology},
      volume = {10},
      number = {4},
      pages = {175-184},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajset.20251004.12},
      abstract = {In a distressed economy with increasing cost of fuel, it is necessary to achieve control of automobile engine over transient behavior and meet performance objectives within the planned life of the vehicle. In this paper the objective is to design a model predictive controller (MPC) that will minimize fuel consumption in a four stroke cylinder engine using idle speed control. Engine speed is most often affected by unexpected disturbances, and the higher the engine speed at idle the higher the consumption of fuel. Non linear dynamic equations of an idle speed engine were obtained and later transformed to equivalent linear equation by linearization method. The designed MPC was integrated with a linearized equation of the plant. The MPC approach was used to forecast and control the four stroke six cylinder engine model in the presence of unexpected disturbance to achieve the desired objective. Simulations were performed in Matlab/Simulink and the results obtained showed that at different instances when disturbances entered the system, with MPC controller in the loop, the instability introduced by the disturbance was eliminated and the referenced idle speed tracked. There by maintaining the engine idle speed at 600 RPM.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Minimization of Fuel Consumption in Four Stroke Six Cylinder Engines Using Idle Speed Control
    
    AU  - Chinonso Francis Nkeoma Ubbaonu
    AU  - Damian Obioma Dike
    AU  - Raymond O. Opara
    AU  - Chiedozie Francis Paulinus-Nwamuo
    AU  - Ernest Ezugwu
    Y1  - 2025/10/14
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12
    T2  - American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology
    JF  - American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology
    JO  - American Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology
    SP  - 175
    EP  - 184
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-8353
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajset.20251004.12
    AB  - In a distressed economy with increasing cost of fuel, it is necessary to achieve control of automobile engine over transient behavior and meet performance objectives within the planned life of the vehicle. In this paper the objective is to design a model predictive controller (MPC) that will minimize fuel consumption in a four stroke cylinder engine using idle speed control. Engine speed is most often affected by unexpected disturbances, and the higher the engine speed at idle the higher the consumption of fuel. Non linear dynamic equations of an idle speed engine were obtained and later transformed to equivalent linear equation by linearization method. The designed MPC was integrated with a linearized equation of the plant. The MPC approach was used to forecast and control the four stroke six cylinder engine model in the presence of unexpected disturbance to achieve the desired objective. Simulations were performed in Matlab/Simulink and the results obtained showed that at different instances when disturbances entered the system, with MPC controller in the loop, the instability introduced by the disturbance was eliminated and the referenced idle speed tracked. There by maintaining the engine idle speed at 600 RPM.
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Sections