Hence, more air is forced into the engine cylinders for combustion. The turbocharger compresses the air and increases its density. The rotation draws in the air for compression while directing the compressed air into the engine.Īnother key component of a turbocharger is the intercooler. Since the compressor wheel shares the same shaft as the turbine wheel, it also rotates at the same speed. A turbocharger uses exhaust gases to boost engine power and increase fuel economy The thermal energy from the engine (hot gases) is converted into kinetic energy by forcing the turbine wheel to rotate and exit via an outlet. The car exhaust system has a exhaust outlet which is connected to the inlet port of the turbine wheel. Both wheels look the same and are covered by a coil-like housing. How Turbochargers WorkĪ standard car turbocharger comprises a shaft that has a compressor wheel on one end and a turbine wheel on the other. As petrol engines already operate at higher RPMs and temperature, the turbocharger allows the engine to achieve speed more quickly as compared to diesel engines. Therefore, turbochargers are used to boost engine efficiency. At a higher speed, the atmospheric pressure is unable to compensate for the higher RPMs, and the efficiency of the diesel engine is reduced. This is the reason diesel engines are also known as naturally aspirated engines. In a standard 4-stroke diesel engine, the air is forced into the cylinders for combustion via atmospheric pressure. It works for both diesel and petrol engines, with a slight difference in how it enhances the performance of the engine. The main purpose of a turbocharger is to enhance the power of the engine.
Understanding Turbocharger A vehicle turbocharger uses compressor and turbine wheel to compress exhaust gases To better understand their impact on speed and performance, let’s take a look at how a turbocharger works. It is used to get better fuel economy and more power out of a smaller, lighter engine. Often used to boost power performance, a turbocharger makes use of engine exhaust to produce more power. A turbocharger is also referred to as turboengine or turbo.