Turbochargers are a very common component that you will find installed on your heavy duty diesel engine. But how do they work, and how can the industry benefit from turbochargers?

How do turbochargers work?

Turbochargers work through a process of feeding additional compressed oxygen to an engine, in effect improving the rate of combustion. A turbocharger contains a turbine wheel, which is connected to a compressor wheel by a shaft. Exhaust gases drive the turbine wheel, which then drives the other compressor wheel. The latter wheel draws in external air, meaning that more air is fed to the engine’s cylinders when compared to diesel engines without turbochargers.

What are the benefits of turbochargers in diesel engines?

Using turbochargers in diesel engines offers two main benefits: boosted engine efficiency and greater environmental sustainability.

Increased efficiency

Diesel engines already boast greater efficiency than petrol engines, at 50% and 35% efficiency, respectively. However, turbochargers can further boost the performance and efficiency of your heavy duty engine. This is due to the turbine wheel pulling in exhaust air which is then compressed by the turbine and fed into the engine’s combustion chamber. Compressed air essentially makes fuel burn more efficiently in the engine, due to the greater density of oxygen molecules within compressed as opposed to uncompressed air.  More fuel can also be supplied and burnt so increasing power.

Increased engine efficiency is always something to aim for when it comes to your heavy duty diesel engine, as it goes hand in hand with better fuel economy. This means cost savings in the long run, and less fuel consumption when your engine idles.

More environmentally friendly

Turbochargers make your heavy machinery more environmentally friendly. As the engine’s efficiency is improved, so is power output, meaning the amount of energy released per cycle increases. In effect, this means that the engine is able to perform as efficiently at a smaller size, and smaller engines are less negatively impactful to the environment. Fuel emissions are reduced with smaller engines, without compromising on your machinery’s performance. If two engines offer the same power, performance and efficiency, the only difference being in size, going for the smaller of the two makes sense, from not only the perspective of reduced fuel emissions, but also from a cost perspective for your company.

Here At Jaytrac, we have over 25 years of experience supplying high quality, replacement components for heavy duty equipment. We offer a range of turbocharger parts for your heavy duty diesel engines, including Volvo , Cummins , and Caterpillar engines . For more information on the parts we supply, get in touch today at 01604 491 133 or email us at sales@jaytrac.co.uk. Alternatively, fill out our online enquiry form.