Heat transfers in an automotive turbocharger comprise significant energy flows, but are rarely measured or accounted for in any turbocharger performance assessment. Existing measurements suggest that the difference in turbine efficiency calculated in the conventional way, by means of the fluid temperature change, under adiabatic conditions differs considerably from the usual diabatic test conditions, particularly at low turbine pressure ratio. In the work described in this paper, three commercial turbochargers were extensively instrumented with thermocouples on all accessible external and internal surfaces in order to make comprehensive temperature surveys. The turbochargers were run at ranges of turbine inlet temperature and external ventilation. Adiabatic tests were also carried out to serve as a reference condition. Based on the temperature measurements, the internal heat fluxes from the turbine gas to the turbocharger structure and from there to the lubricating oil and the compressor, and the external heat fluxes to the environment were calculated. A one-dimensional heat transfer network model of the turbocharger was demonstrated to be able to simulate the heat fluxes to good accuracy, and the heat transfer coefficients required were ultimately found to be mostly independent of the turbochargers tested.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
April 2010
Research Papers
The Analysis of Heat Transfer in Automotive Turbochargers
Nick Baines,
Nick Baines
Concepts NREC
, 23 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6NX, UK
Search for other works by this author on:
Karl D. Wygant,
Karl D. Wygant
Concepts NREC
, 217 Billings Farm Road, White River Junction, VT 05001-9486
Search for other works by this author on:
Antonis Dris
Antonis Dris
Technology & Solutions Division, Engine Technologies Europe,
Caterpillar Inc.
, Peterborough PE1 5NA, UK
Search for other works by this author on:
Nick Baines
Concepts NREC
, 23 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6NX, UK
Karl D. Wygant
Concepts NREC
, 217 Billings Farm Road, White River Junction, VT 05001-9486
Antonis Dris
Technology & Solutions Division, Engine Technologies Europe,
Caterpillar Inc.
, Peterborough PE1 5NA, UKJ. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Apr 2010, 132(4): 042301 (8 pages)
Published Online: January 25, 2010
Article history
Received:
March 22, 2009
Revised:
May 24, 2009
Online:
January 25, 2010
Published:
January 25, 2010
Citation
Baines, N., Wygant, K. D., and Dris, A. (January 25, 2010). "The Analysis of Heat Transfer in Automotive Turbochargers." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. April 2010; 132(4): 042301. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3204586
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Numerical Investigation of CO and NO Production From Premixed Hydrogen/Methane Fuel Blends
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April 2025)
An Efficient Uncertainty Quantification Method Based on Inter-Blade Decoupling for Compressors
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April 2025)
Experimental Design Validation of a Swirl-Stabilized Burner With Fluidically Variable Swirl Number
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April 2025)
Experimental Characterization of a Bladeless Air Compressor
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April 2025)
Related Articles
Analysis and Methodology to Characterize Heat Transfer Phenomena in Automotive Turbochargers
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (February,2015)
Correcting Turbocharger Performance Measurements for Heat Transfer and Friction
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (February,2018)
Conjugate Flow and Heat Transfer Investigation of a Turbo Charger
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (July,2005)
Evaluation of the Rotor Temperature Distribution of an Automotive Turbocharger Under Hot Gas Conditions Including Indirect Experimental Validation
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (March,2021)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Threshold Functions
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential
Outlook
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential
A Design Guide for Turbocharger Compressor and Turbine Seals
Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Technologies (MIMT 2010)