Turbocharging Automotive Engines: A Decision-Making Approach for Optimal Turbocharger Selection

An approach for turbocharging automotive engines to reach targeted performance was developed in which the environmental and economic aspects during the turbocharger-engine matching process were considered. Three numerical assessment levels based on output performance, exhaust emissions and techno-economic metrics are established to support users during the decision-making of adequate turbochargers that meets targeted data in terms of boosting and emissions. Satisfactory improvements are measured from a 1.5L, three-cylinders, turbocharged Diesel engine, in terms of brake specific fuel consumption, thermal efficiency and NOx concentrations of about 1.73% (decrease in fuel consumption of around 2.22ml/s), 1.76%, and 4.53% (correspond to a diminution of around 217.54ppm), respectively, at the engine's extreme conditions (full load and rated power). In addition, for an application of another turbocharger, remarkable improvements in terms of HC and CO concentrations of about 6.23% (reduction of 41.167ppm), and 2.61% (diminution of around 1.271ppm), respectively, were found at the same engine's extreme conditions. Furthermore, the superimposition of the engine operating area on compressor and turbine maps of all tested turbochargers ensured a secure functioning of the proposed compressor, reasonable mechanical and thermal loads of the in-cylinder chamber, and practical turbine inlet temperature at the engine's extreme operations. Consequently, the enhanced methodology is considered a promising and helpful decision-support method that can be followed by researchers during the engine turbocharging process at both the earlier and last stages providing powerful and clean mobility of the vehicle.