FUNDAMENTALS OF TURBOCHARGERS
FUNDAMENTALS OF TURBOCHARGERS
Turbocharger
Prepared by:
Md. Asifur Rahman Prantik
Assistant Engineer (Technical Service)
RotoTech Bangladesh Limited
Disclaimer:
This document is the exclusive property of RotoTech Bangladesh Ltd. Its contents
shall not be used for other purposes or copied or disclosed without written
authorization of RotoTech Bangladesh Ltd.
Basic Working Principle of Turbocharger:
1. Air Intake:
o The compressor wheel, located in the compressor housing, starts
drawing in fresh air through the air intake system.
o The compressor wheel is aerodynamically designed with blades that
accelerate and pressurize the incoming air.
2. Air Compression:
o As the compressor wheel spins at high speed, it compresses the
incoming air, increasing its pressure and temperature.
o The compressed air is then directed toward the engine intake manifold
for combustion.
3. Why Compression is Important?
o Higher air pressure means more oxygen molecules are available in
the combustion chamber.
o More oxygen allows for better fuel combustion, leading to increased
power output and fuel efficiency.
Since air compression generates heat, the compressed air exiting the compressor is
hot and has lower density. Hotter air is less oxygen-dense, which reduces
combustion efficiency. To solve this issue, the compressed air passes through a
Charge Air Cooler (CAC), also known as an intercooler, which has the following
functions:
The turbine side of the turbocharger extracts energy from the engine’s hot exhaust
gases to drive the compressor. This process works as follows:
Boost Pressure (psi or bar): The amount of pressure generated by the compressor
above atmospheric pressure. More boost means more air is forced into the engine.
Pressure Ratio: The ratio of compressed air pressure to ambient air pressure. A
higher-pressure ratio means more power but also requires better cooling.
Turbo Lag: The delay between pressing the accelerator and the turbo spooling up
to provide full boost. Reduced by using ball bearings or twin-scroll turbos.
Rotational Speed (RPM): Turbochargers can spin over 50,000 to 100,000 RPM,
requiring high-precision bearings for durability.
1. Axial Turbochargers
2. Radial Turbochargers
• Captures soot (particulate matter) from the exhaust gases and periodically
burns it off through regeneration.
• Uses AdBlue (Urea Solution) to convert NOx into nitrogen and water
vapor, reducing emissions.
• Some exhaust gases are recirculated back into the intake to lower
combustion temperatures and reduce NOx formation.
Turbocharger Typical Components and
their basic working principle, Their
Placement, Reason of Placement
Some of the Key Turbocharger Components for both Axial and Radial
Turbochargers are:
28.Air Intake Housing
1.Nozzle Ring
29. Wall Insert
2.Retaining Ring
30. Gas Outlet Flange
3.Turbine Casing
31. Partition Wall.
4.Compressor Casing
5.Labyrinth Sleeve
6.Diffuser
8. Heat Shield
9.Partiation Wall
10.Cartridge
11.Piston Ring
12.Auxilary Bearing
13.Thrust Bearing
15.Thurst Collar
16.Bearing Housing
17.Turbine Shaft/wheel
18.Compressor Wheel/Impeller
19.Damping Wire
22.Floating Disc
23.Sealing Cover
24.Hood
25.Bearing Flange
26.Bearing Cover
• Positioned in the exhaust portion of the turbocharger, adjacent to the turbine wheel.
• Guides the high-velocity exhaust gases to efficiently direct flow onto the turbine blades.
• Converts pressure energy from exhaust gases into kinetic energy to drive the turbine.
Function:
• Accelerates and directs exhaust gases toward the turbine blades at an optimal angle.
• Increases rotational speed of the turbine wheel, boosting turbocharger efficiency.
• Controls turbine inlet conditions, optimizing engine performance.
Failure Effects:
Fig 1: Nozzle Ring for Radial Turbo (TCR-16) Fig 2: Nozzle Ring for Axial Turbo (Napier 357)
🔹 Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
Fig 1: Diffuser for Napier NA-357 Fig 2: Diffuser for Radial Turbo TPS-50-B01
3. Turbine Casing:
🔹 Function:
• Houses the turbine wheel and directs high-pressure exhaust gases through
the nozzle ring.
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
• Cracks or leaks lead to loss of exhaust energy, reducing turbine speed and
boost pressure.
🔹 Function:
• Houses the compressor wheel and controls the flow of compressed air into
the engine intake.
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
• A damaged casing can lead to air leaks, reducing boost pressure and engine
efficiency.
🔹 Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
• A worn labyrinth sleeve can cause oil leaks into the intake or turbine,
leading to oil burning, carbon deposits, and reduced efficiency.
🔹 Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
🔹 Function:
• Supports the turbo shaft, reducing friction between the rotating shaft and
housing.
🔹 Placement:
• At both the compressor end (CE) and turbine end (TE) of the bearing
housing.
• Ensures smooth rotation of the turbo shaft and prevents excessive radial
movement.
🔹 Failure Effects:
Function:
🔹 Placement:
Failure Effects:
🔹 Function:
• Houses the shaft, bearings, and seals, acting as the turbo’s core.
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
🔹 Function:
• Provides a dynamic seal to prevent oil leakage from the bearing housing.
🔹 Placement:
• Around the shaft ends near the compressor and turbine sides.
🔹 Failure Effects:
• Worn piston rings cause oil leakage, leading to blue smoke emissions and
turbo inefficiency.
🔹 Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
🔹 Function:
• Supports axial loads on the turbo shaft caused by air pressure differences
between the compressor and turbine sides.
• Helps maintain shaft position and prevents excessive axial movement.
🔹 Placement:
• Inside the bearing housing, between the shaft and bearing housing walls.
🔹 Failure Effects:
🔹 Function:
• Works with the thrust bearing to control axial movement of the turbo
shaft.
🔹 Placement:
• Mounted along with the thrust bearing inside the bearing housing.
🔹 Failure Effects:
Fig: Thrust Ring for TCR-16 Fig: Thrust Ring for A140H
14. Thrust Collar:
🔹 Function:
• Transfers axial loads from the turbo shaft to the thrust bearing, allowing
smoother operation.
🔹 Placement:
• Helps distribute axial forces evenly, reducing wear on the thrust bearing.
🔹 Failure Effects:
Fig: Thrust Collar Napier NA-357 Fig: Thrust Collar KBB HPR-4000
15. Bearing Housing:
🔹 Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
• Cracks or oil leakage can lead to bearing failure and turbo malfunction.
✅ Function:
• The bearing flange serves as a mounting and securing component for the bearing
housing within the turbocharger assembly.
• It provides structural support, ensuring that the bearing housing remains firmly in
place while accommodating thermal expansion and vibrations.
🔹 Placement:
The bearing flange is positioned at the junction between the bearing housing and other turbocharger
casings
🔹 Failure Effects:
Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
If loose or damaged,
Keeps bearings firmly
Secures the bearing Attached to the bearings may shift,
Bearing in place, ensuring
assembly within the bearing causing shaft
Flange alignment of rotating
housing housing misalignment and
components
vibration
Damage or improper
Protects the bearing Mounted on or Seals the bearing
sealing can lead to oil
Bearing system from around the system to prevent
leaks and
Cover contamination and bearing dust, debris, or oil
contamination of
prevents oil leakage housing leakage
turbo components
Summary of Differences:
• Bearing Housing: The main body that holds and supports the bearings,
providing oil flow for lubrication and cooling.
• Bearing Flange: A securing component that ensures bearings stay in
position inside the housing.
• Bearing Cover: A protective cover that prevents contaminants from
entering and oil from leaking.
18. Turbine Shaft/Wheel:
🔹 Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
Fig: Turbine shaft for Napier 357 Fig: Turbine Shaft for A135-H
19. Compressor Wheel/Impeller:
🔹 Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
• Damaged blades cause uneven airflow, reducing boost pressure and power
output
Fig: Impeller for Napier NA-357 Fig: Compressor wheel for TCR-16
20. Damping Wire/Lacing Wire:
Placement:
• Wrapped around the turbine wheel or turbine shaft, typically located in the hot section
of the turbocharger.
• It is tightly wound within the grooves or recesses of the turbine wheel to absorb
vibrations.
• The turbine shaft experiences high-speed rotation and thermal expansion, leading to
vibration.
• The damping wire helps to reduce resonance and vibrations, ensuring the turbine wheel
remains stable at high speeds.
• It prevents excessive oscillation that could damage the turbine shaft, bearings, or
surrounding components.
Function:
Failure Effects:
• If the damping wire loosens or breaks, it fails to absorb vibrations, leading to:
o Increased resonance, causing shaft instability and potential fatigue failure.
o Excessive wear on turbine bearings, reducing bearing lifespan.
🔹 Function:
• Guides exhaust gases smoothly into the turbine stage in axial turbochargers.
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
🔹 Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
🔹 Function:
🔹 Placement:
🔹 Failure Effects:
✅ Function:
• The sealing cover acts as a protective barrier to prevent oil leakage from the bearing
housing into the compressor or turbine sides.
• It helps in sealing the bearing chamber, ensuring that lubrication remains confined
within the bearings and does not contaminate other parts of the turbocharger.
✅ Placement:
• Located on both the compressor end (CE) and the turbine end (TE) of the bearing
housing.
• Positioned near the piston rings and labyrinth seals to reinforce the sealing mechanism.
• To prevent oil from escaping into the airflow path (compressor side) or exhaust stream
(turbine side).
✅ Failure Effects:
• If the sealing cover is damaged, cracked, or improperly fitted, oil can leak into the
compressor housing, leading to:
o Oil fouling in the air intake system.
o Blue smoke from the engine due to oil burning.
o Reduced turbocharger efficiency due to oil contamination.
✅ Function:
• The partition wall acts as a thermal and mechanical barrier inside the turbocharger,
separating the hot turbine side from the cooler compressor side.
• It helps to reduce heat transfer from the turbine side to the bearing housing and
compressor section, protecting sensitive components from excessive heat.
Placement:
• Positioned between the turbine and compressor sections, typically inside or adjacent to
the bearing housing.
• It is mounted between the turbine casing and compressor casing, forming a physical
separation between these sections.
• To prevent excessive heat transfer to the bearing housing, which could cause oil
degradation and bearing failure.
• Ensures that temperature differentials do not cause distortion or misalignment in
turbocharger components.
✅ Failure Effects:
✅ Function:
• The gas outlet flange is responsible for directing the exhaust gases out of the
turbocharger after they have passed through the turbine wheel.
• It ensures a smooth transition of the high-velocity exhaust gases into the exhaust piping
or after-treatment system (such as an SCR, DPF, or muffler).
• Helps to reduce backpressure,
• Plays a crucial role in maintaining the aerodynamic flow of exhaust gases,
✅ Placement:
• Located at the exit of the turbine casing, where the exhaust gases leave the
turbocharger and enter the exhaust system.
• Typically bolted or welded to the exhaust pipe or manifold connection, ensuring a
leak-proof junction.
• To provide a secure and sealed connection between the turbocharger and the exhaust
system, preventing leakage of hot gases.
✅ Failure Effects:
• If the gas outlet flange is cracked, loose, or improperly sealed, it can cause:
o Exhaust gas leaks, leading to power loss and reduced turbo efficiency.
o Increased backpressure, Excessive heat near engine components, which could
damage surrounding parts.
✅ Function:
• The wall inserts act as a thermal and protective liner inside the turbine casing or gas
passage sections of the turbocharger.
• It helps to shield the turbine casing from direct exposure to high-temperature exhaust
gases, thereby extending the life of the casing.
• In some designs, it also helps in optimizing exhaust gas flow, ensuring smoother
aerodynamics for improved turbine efficiency.
✅ Placement:
• Typically located inside the turbine casing, acting as a lining for the gas flow path
before it reaches the nozzle ring and turbine wheel.
• It can also be found in specific sections of the exhaust gas routing where heat insulation
is needed.
• To protect the turbine casing from extreme heat and prevent thermal expansion-
related stress.
• Ensures that exhaust gas flow remains efficient, without causing excessive turbulence or
heat loss.
✅ Failure Effects:
o Direct exposure of the turbine casing to hot exhaust gases, causing material
degradation and thermal fatigue.
o Distortion of the turbine casing, Reduced efficiency.
✅ Function:
• The hood in a turbocharger primarily serves as a protective cover over specific sections
of the turbocharger, usually on the turbine or exhaust side.
• It acts as a heat shield, preventing excessive heat radiation from affecting surrounding
engine components.
• It contributes to noise reduction by dampening sound waves produced by high-velocity exhaust
gases.
✅ Placement:
• Typically found on the turbine side of the turbocharger, covering part of the turbine
casing or exhaust gas discharge section.
• In some designs, it is placed over the gas outlet section, providing additional thermal
shielding and structural support.
✅ Failure Effects:
✅ Function:
• The Gas Admissible Casing is a key component of the turbocharger that directs the
incoming exhaust gases towards the nozzle ring and turbine wheel.
• It serves as a housing that ensures the exhaust gases are delivered in a controlled and
efficient manner, maximizing the energy transfer to the turbine.
• In some turbochargers, it also functions as a pressure chamber, ensuring even
distribution of exhaust gases before they reach the turbine.
✅ Placement:
• Located on the turbine side of the turbocharger, forming part of the exhaust gas inlet
system.
• It surrounds the nozzle ring and is directly connected to the turbine casing, ensuring a
smooth transition of exhaust gases.
• To control and direct exhaust gas flow, ensuring optimal turbine speed and
performance.
• To contain and withstand high temperatures and pressures, as it handles exhaust
gases directly from the engine.
✅ Failure Effects:
• If the Gas Admissible Casing is cracked, eroded, or improperly sealed, it can cause:
o Leakage of exhaust gases, leading to reduced turbine efficiency and power loss.
o Increased backpressure, negatively affecting engine performance.
o Overheating of surrounding components, since hot gases may escape in
unintended directions.
✅ Function:
✅ Placement:
• Typically found inside the bearing housing, positioned between the thrust bearing,
thrust collar, or radial bearings.
• Some spacers are also placed between the turbine and compressor wheels to maintain
correct rotor alignment.
✅ Failure Effects:
- Compact &
lightweight design.
TPS44-D, TPS48-D, High-speed 1,200 – Power generation,
TPS-D - Improved radial
TPS52-D, TPS57-D, diesel & gas 2,200 Locomotives, Marine
Series turbine efficiency.
TPS61-D engines RPM auxiliary engines
- Suitable for high-speed
diesel/gas engines.
- Enhanced compressor
efficiency for better
TPS44-E, TPS48-E, High-speed 1,200 – Locomotives, Small performance.
TPS-E
TPS52-E, TPS57-E, diesel & gas 2,200 marine vessels, Industrial - Upgraded bearings for
Series
TPS61-E engines RPM generators longer lifespan.
- Optimized for fuel-
efficient operation.
Engine
Turbocharger
Models Engine Type Speed Application
Series
(RPM)
Marine propulsion,
TCA66, TCA77, TCA88, TCA99, Medium-speed 500 – 1,200
TCA Series Industrial, Power
TCA106 4-stroke RPM
plants
NR18, NR22, NR28, NR32, NR36, Medium-speed 500 – 1,500 Power plants,
NR Series
NR40 4-stroke RPM Marine, Industrial
Heavy-duty
1,000 – Industrial, Power
HTC Series HTC22, HTC28, HTC32 Industrial
2,500 RPM generation, Marine
engines
NTR Series
• NTR: This series encompasses small industrial turbochargers suitable for applications
requiring compact and efficient solutions.
7 Series
The 7 Series is known for its high efficiency and broad operating range, making it versatile for
various industrial applications.
NT1 Series
The NT1 Series offers high-pressure ratios up to 6:1, enhancing engine performance and
efficiency.
• NT2-26: Specific details are limited, but this model is part of Napier's two-stage
turbocharger lineup.
• NT2-28: Specific details are limited, but this model is part of Napier's two-stage
turbocharger lineup.
The NT2 Series is engineered for applications requiring advanced two-stage turbocharging
solutions.
5 Series
The 5 Series is recognized for improved fuel consumption, reduced engine emissions, and
extended service life.
8 Series
The 8 Series incorporates the latest bearing technology and gas path components, ensuring
optimal performance.
MS Series
The MS Series includes models like MS100 and MS200, catering to specific industrial needs.
4.KBB TURBOCHARGERS
KBB Turbochargers offers a diverse range of turbocharger series and models designed for
various applications, including marine propulsion, power generation, and rail transport. Below is
an overview of their primary series and corresponding models:
ST27-EP Series
K2B Series
HPR Series
M Series
R Series
LPR Series
• Models: LPR5
• Features: Specific details are limited, but this series is tailored for specialized
applications.
5.Garrett TURBOCHARGERS
Garrett Motion offers a comprehensive range of turbochargers designed to enhance engine
performance across various applications. Below is an overview of their primary series and
corresponding models:
G-Series
The GTX Gen II Series represents the latest evolution in the GTX lineup, featuring state-of-the-
art aerodynamics and improved compressor wheel designs for enhanced performance.
• GTX2860R Gen II: Ideal for 1.4L to 2.5L engines, supporting up to 475 horsepower.
• GTX2867R Gen II: Suitable for 1.4L to 2.5L engines, supporting up to 500 horsepower.
• GTX3071R Gen II: Designed for 2.0L to 3.0L engines, supporting up to 650
horsepower.
• GTX3076R Gen II: Supports 2.0L to 3.0L engines, delivering up to 700 horsepower.
• GTX3582R Gen II: Suitable for 2.5L to 4.0L engines, supporting up to 850 horsepower.
• GTX3584RS Gen II: Designed for 2.5L to 4.5L engines, supporting up to 1,000
horsepower.
GT Series
The GT Series turbochargers are known for their reliability and performance, commonly used in
both OEM and aftermarket applications.
GTW Series
The GTW Series offers a balance between performance and affordability, featuring updated
compressor wheel designs.
GBC Series
The GBC Series is tailored for enthusiasts seeking cost-effective turbocharging solutions without
compromising on performance.
3.A100-E Series
The "A100" denotes Accelleron's high-efficiency radial-
flow turbocharger series. The "E" stands for Enhanced,
signifying improvements over previous models.
MAN:
NAPIER TURBOCHARGERS: