What is the Difference Between Internal and External Combustion Engine?

The main difference between internal and external combustion engines lies in the

On this page

Comparative Table: Internal vs External Combustion Engine

The main difference between internal and external combustion engines lies in the location of the combustion process and the method of generating motive power. Here is a table comparing the key differences between the two types of engines:

Feature	Internal Combustion Engine	External Combustion Engine
Combustion Location	Occurs internally in the combustion chamber of the engine	Occurs externally, and heat is transferred to the working fluid
Types	Spark Ignition (SI) and Compression Ignition (CI) engines	Steam engines, Stirling engines, Gas turbines or Brayton Cycle engines, External Combustion Rocket engines, External Combustion Stirling engines (Thermal engines)
Heat Source	Fuel-air mixture combustion	External heat source (e.g., furnace) is required to heat a working fluid (e.g., steam, water)
Fuel Type	Typically uses gasoline, diesel, or other fossil fuels	Can utilize a wide range of fuels, including renewable and non-conventional sources
design	Generally more compact and lightweight, making them ideal for vehicles like cars and motorcycles	Broader and more cumbersome, used in industrial manufacturing processes where a high-temperature, consistent heat source is required

Internal combustion engines are more commonly used in vehicles and other transportation applications, while external combustion engines are used for industrial processes requiring a consistent heat source.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.