Design and Performance Evaluation of an Axial Inflow Turbocharger Turbine

Abstract

This paper is focussed on the development of an axial inflow turbocharger turbine as a viable alternative to a baseline radial turbine for certain applications. Additionally a variable geometry turbine (VGT) technology is incorporated into the axial-inflow turbine to additionally benefit both efficiency and performance. The developed turbine was compared to the baseline in terms of engine performance, fuel consumption and emissions. The design and optimisation of the inlet casing, stator and rotor blades for axial inflow turbine were developed through CFD simulation. Then a VGT system was further developed, equipped with pivoting stator blades. Necessary data at various flow conditions were collected for engine modelling to test the engine performance achieved by the integration of the axial turbine, which achieved a maximum 86.2% isentropic efficiency at 102000 rpm. The paper further focussed on the design and optimization of a volute for axial inflow turbine. Various initial designs were tested using CFD simulations and the chosen configuration was optimised further to improve overall stage efficiency, which reached 81.2%. Engine model simulations demonstrated that engine power and torque are significantly increased through the application of the proposed variable geometry axial turbocharger turbine.