Turbocharger matching methodology for improved exhaust energy recovery

Current engine simulation codes rely on user-input turbine maps to predict the performance of turbocharged engines. These experimentally obtained maps are limited in range as they are typically obtained through the use of an aerodynamically limited turbine loading device, the compressor. In order to extend the range of the map for simulation, several fitting techniques are utilized in order to obtain the values of efficiency and mass flow over the entire range of pressure ratio for all speeds. This investigation compares predicted turbine maps, obtained from narrow ranges of pressure ratio with more reliable, wider maps obtained experimentally for the same turbines by replacing the compressor with a dynamometer. The outcome of this investigation can be used to improve the fitting of efficiency and mass flow rate curves in engine simulation software

Non-adiabatic pressure loss boundary condition for modelling turbocharger turbine pulsating flow

This paper presents a simplified methodology of pulse flow turbine modelling, as an alternative over the meanline integrated methodology outlined in previous work, in order to make its application to engine cycle simulation codes much more straight forward. This is enabled through the development of a bespoke non-adiabatic pressure loss boundary to represent the turbine rotor. In this paper, turbocharger turbine pulse flow performance predictions are presented along with a comparison of computation duration against the previously established integrated meanline method. Plots of prediction deviation indicate that the mass flow rate and actual power predictions from both methods are highly comparable and are reasonably close to experimental data. However, the new boundary condition required significantly lower computational time and rotor geometrical inputs. In addition, the pressure wave propagation in this simplified unsteady turbine model at different pulse frequencies has also been found to be in agreement with data from the literature, thereby supporting the confidence in its ability to simulate the wave action encountered in turbine pulse flow operation

Tribocorrosion studies in centrifugally cast al-matrix siCp-reinforced functionally graded composites

The present work reports results obtained from a series of preliminary experiments aiming at complementing the current knowledge about the wear behaviour of centrifugally-cast FGM Al/SiCp composites, through concurrent corrosion processes. Precursor MMC’s were prepared by rheocasting, using 118.8 µm SiC particles and an Al-10Si–2.2 Mg alloy. Those MMC’s were then molten and centrifugally cast in order to produce cylindrical FGMMC’s. Discs machined from the top surface of each sample were tested against nodular cast iron pins, using an inverted configuration pin-on-disc tribometer. Sliding tests took place at room temperature, over a 50000 m sliding distance, with a sliding speed of 0.3 m s-1, under a 5 N normal load; both dry-sliding and water-lubricated tests were performed. In order to elucidate the mechanisms involved, the wear coefficients were calculated for each condition, and the samples were subjected to morphological characterization via SEM/EDS. Concurrently, in the case of the water-lubrication tests, the corrosion potential of the tribological pair was monitored. The results obtained show an increase in material loss for the water-lubricated cases, although variations are registered depending on reinforcing particle volume fraction. At the same time, the open circuit potential response of the tribological pair may be correlated with the events of formation/destruction of the tribolayers.Fundo Social Europeu, Program PRODEP Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - (FCT

Active Control Turbocharger for Automotive Application: An experimental evaluation

The current paper presents the results from a comprehensive set of experimental tests on a prototype active control turbocharger. This is a continuing series of test work as part of the development of this new type of turbocharger. Driven by the need to comply to increasingly strict emissions regulations as well as a continuing strive for better overall performance the active control turbocharger is intended to provide an improvement over the current state-of-the-art in turbocharging. In this system, the nozzle is able to alter the throat inlet area of the turbine according to the pressure variation of each engine exhaust gas pulse thus imposing a substantially more ‘active’ form of control of the conditions at the turbine rotor inlet

Molecular genetics of naringenin biosynthesis, a typical plant secondary metabolite produced by Streptomyces clavuligerus

Background: Some types of flavonoid intermediates seemed to be restricted to plants. Naringenin is a typical plant metabolite, that has never been reported to be produced in prokariotes. Naringenin is formed by the action of a chalcone synthase using as starter 4-coumaroyl-CoA, which in dicotyledonous plants derives from phenylalanine by the action of a phenylalanine ammonia lyase. Results: A compound produced by Streptomyces clavuligerus has been identified by LC-MS and NMR as naringenin and coelutes in HPLC with a naringenin standard. Genome mining of S. clavuligerus revealed the presence of a gene for a chalcone synthase (ncs), side by side to a gene encoding a P450 cytochrome (ncyP) and separated from a gene encoding a Pal/Tal ammonia lyase (tal). Deletion of any of these genes results in naringenin non producer mutants. Complementation with the deleted gene restores naringenin production in the transformants. Furthermore, naringenin production increases in cultures supplemented with phenylalanine or tyrosine. Conclusion: This is the first time that naringenin is reported to be produced naturally in a prokariote. Interestingly three non-clustered genes are involved in naringenin production, which is unusual for secondary metabolites. A tentative pathway for naringenin biosynthesis has been proposedThis work was supported by Grant BIO2012-34723 from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity. R. Álvarez-Álvarez received a FPU fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport

Overview of boosting options for future downsized engines

Driven by a demand for better fuel economy and increasingly stringent emissions regulations over a wide range of customers and applications, engine manufacturers have turned towards engine downsizing as the most potent enabler to meet these requirements. With boosting systems becoming ever more numerous as the technical solutions to complex boosting requirements of the internal combustion engine increase, it is time for an overview of available and under development boosting technologies and systems and for a discussion of their relevance to downsizing efforts. The presented analysis shows that there are no standard solutions for all the different applications as the trends indicate a rising complexity to meet with the extreme boosting requirements predicted for the remainder of the decade. These trends include variable geometry, a shift from single to two (or more) stages, extensive actuation for bypassing exhaust flows, exhaust flow regulation and pulsating exhaust energy recovery, severe electrification and an extensive effort downstream from the turbine to capture waste heat after the principal turbocharger/supercharger system

Evaluation of SiC-particle connectivity in functionally graded Al/SiCp composites by synchrotron radiation holographic microtomography

Reliability of functionally graded metal matrix composites (FGMMCs) for automotive components is still dependent on the detailed knowledge of the mechanisms of the microstructural build-up, for instance on the mechanisms leading to the distribution and relative positions of the reinforcing particles. In order to assess the influence of the SiC particle size on the 3-D inter-particle connectivity in functionally graded Al/SiCp composites produced by centrifugal casting, X-ray microtomography experiments were performed at the ID19 beamline in ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility). The FGMMCs consisted of an Al-10Si-2Mg alloy matrix, reinforced by an average SiC particle volume fraction of 0.10; two different average sizes were used: 37 μm and 12 μm. The holographic modification of the X-ray CMT (Computer Micro- Tomography) method allowed to obtain neatly contrasted images, as opposed to classical CMT.Good agreement was found between the particle size evaluated by CMT and by laser interferometry. Particle clustering has been evaluated in number and volume, showing that a lower mean particle size is related to more clustering. Such an adverse effect relies on the importance of particle/liquid alloy surface tension. Also, the mean particle size has been evaluated as a function of particle number within a cluster: as expected, the larger a cluster, the larger the particles inside it.(undefined

Downsizing Capability Evaluation of Active Control Turbocharger (ACT)

This study aims to evaluate the downsizing capability of active control turbocharger (ACT) by means of computer simulation approach. One dimensional simulation package was used to model a commercial 13L diesel engine equipped with variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) and a 10L diesel engine equipped ACT. The 10L ACT engine delivered up to 34.42% of higher brake power than 13L VGT engine at 1000RPM and below, but for the higher engine speed, 13L VGT engine delivered higher brake power (up to 14.5%) than 10L ACT engine