Exhaust volume dependency of turbocharger turbine design for a heavy duty otto cycle engine

This study is considering turbocharger turbine performance at "on-engine" conditions with respect to turbine design variables and exhaust manifold volume. The highly unsteady nature of the internal combustion engine will result in a very wide range of turbine operation, far from steady flow conditions. As most turbomachinery design work is conducted at steady state, the influence of the chosen turbine design variables on the crank-angle-resolved turbine performance will be of prime interest. In order to achieve high turbocharger efficiency with the greatest benefits for the engine, the turbine will need high efficiency at the energetic exhaust pressure pulse peak. The starting point for this paper is a target full load power curve for a heavy duty Otto-cycle engine, which will dictate an initial compressor and turbine match. Three radial turbine designs are investigated, differing with respect to efficiency characteristics, using a common compressor stage. The influence of the chosen turbine design variables considering a main contributor to unsteadiness, exhaust manifold volume, is evaluated using 1D engine simulation software. A discussion is held in conjunction with this regarding the efficiency potential of each turbine design and limitations of turbine types.