Turbo Charger
• The turbocharger was invented by Swiss engineer
Alfred Buchi in 1907
• 27 to 38% of energy is carried in the engine exhaust
• This energy can be used for improving the power
output of the engine
Compressed air out
Central assembly
Turbine
Impeller
Air in
Exht. out
Shaft
Exhaust in
• A turbocharger is an exhaust gas-driven compressor
used to increase the power output of an internal-
combustion engine by compressing air that is entering the
engine thus increasing the amount of available oxygen
• A key advantage of turbochargers is that they offer a
considerable increase in engine power with only a slight
increase in weight
• A turbine is driven by the exhaust gas from an internal
combustion engine, to spin the second main part, an
impeller whose function is to force more air into the pump's
intake, or air supply
• The third basic part is a center hub rotating assembly
which contains bearing, lubrication, cooling, and a shaft
that directly connects the turbine and impeller
• The shaft, bearing, impeller, and turbine can rotate at
80,000 and 150,000 revolutions per minute (RPM)
Process layout :
• The lubrication system can be either a closed system or be
fed from the engine's oil supply
• By spinning at a relatively high speed the compressor turbine
draws in a large volume of air and forces it into the engine
• As the turbocharger's output flow volume exceeds the
engine's volumetric flow, air pressure in the intake system
begins to build, often called boost
• The speed at which the assembly spins is proportional to the
pressure of the compressed air and total mass of air flow
being moved
• Turbine wheels can be made of steel or ceramic blades, but
ceramic is preferred because it is lightweight meaning it will
spin faster and prevent turbo lag
Details of parts:
From : http://auto.howstuffworks.com/turbo4.htm
• Since a turbo can spin to RPMs far beyond what is
needed, or of what it is safely capable of, the speed
must be controlled
• A wastegate is the most common mechanical speed
control system, and is often further augmented by an
electronic boost controller
• The main function of a wastegate is to allow some of
the exhaust to bypass the turbine when the set intake
pressure is achieved
• The exhaust valve should opened much before the
bottom dead center to supply sufficient energy for the
turbo
• The loss in early opening is over come by excess
charging
Intercooler:
• Also known as a charge air cooler, intercoolers decrease the
temperature of the incoming compressed air.
• The intercooler is comprised of bars, louvres, passageways,
and fins that the compressed air travels through
• The engine fan keeps the intercooler cool as the hot
compressed air passes through.
• Intercoolers are vital because hot air expands and if the
intercooler keeps the compressed air cool, the air becomes
more compact (providing more air to fuel ratio in the cylinder
which yields more power).
Intercooler:
Turbo
Parts
LAG
• lag is sometimes felt by the driver of a turbocharged
vehicle as a delay between pushing on the accelerator
pedal and feeling the turbo kick-in
• This is symptomatic of the time taken for the exhaust
system driving the turbine to come to high pressure and
for the turbine rotor to overcome its rotational inertia and
reach the speed necessary to supply boost pressure
• The directly-driven compressor in a positive-displacement
supercharger does not suffer this problem. (Centrifugal
superchargers do not build boost at low RPMs like a
positive displacement supercharger will)
• Conversely on light loads or at low RPM a turbocharger
supplies less boost and the engine is more efficient than a
supercharged engine.
“Knocking”:
• Knocking is when the air and fuel combination in the cylinder
combusts before the spark plug actually ignites it, throwing off the
synchronization between the turbocharger and the engine.
• This is due to the extreme temperatures and highly compressed air.
• Knocking reduces the full rotation of the piston, limiting the car’s
performance.
Solutions:
• Waste gate assists in preventing knocking by monitoring how much
pressure is in the turbine.
• When too much pressure is in the turbine section, the waste gate
releases extra exhaust to slow down the speed of the turbine wheel.
• Intercoolers prevent knocking as well by keeping the temperature of
the compressed air low.
Turbo Maintenance
• Turbochargers can be damaged by dirty or ineffective oil
• Manufacturers recommend more frequent oil changes for
turbocharged engines
• Some companies recommend using synthetic oils, which
tend to flow more readily when cold and do not break
down as quickly as conventional oils
• Turbocharger can get hot when running, many
recommend letting the engine idle for one to three
minutes before shutting the engine
• Most manufacturers specify a 10-second period of idling
before switching off to ensure the turbocharger is running
at its idle speed to prevent damage to the bearings when
the oil supply is cut off
Methods of Turbo Charging
Methods of turbo charging
1. Constant pressure type
2. Pulse type
3. Pulse converted type
Turbine Types
• Variable Nozzle Turbine (VNT)
• Variable Area Turbine Nozzle (VATN)
• Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG)
• Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT)
• Variable Vane Turbine (VVT)
Effects of Turbo charging
• Higher power out put
• Mass of charge inducted is greater
• Better atomization of fuel
• Better mixing of fuel and air
• Combustion is more complete and smoother
• Can use inferior fuels
• Scavenging of products is better
• Improved torque over the whole speed and range
• Quicker acceleration is possible
• Reduction in diesel knock tendency and smoother
operation
• Improved cold starting
• Eliminates exhaust smoke
• Lowers specific fuel consumption in turbo charging
• Increased mechanical efficiency
Limitations
• Increased thermal stress
• Increase turbulance may increase heat losses
• Increased gas loading
• Valve overlap period has to be increased to about 60 to
80 degrees of crank angle
• Necessities better cooling of pistons and valves
• Increased detonation tendency in SI engines
