Ceramics for Adiabatic Turbocompound Engine

Abstract

Material limitation is no longer a barrier to higher temperature engine operation with consequent higher engine performance. High performance ceramics offer a new dimension in diesel engine design for improved fuel economy, engine output, and reliability. This paper presents an adiabatic diesel engine system adaptable to the use of high performance ceramics which will enable higher operating temperatures, reduced heat loss, and turbocompound exhaust energy recovery. The engine operating environments as well as the thermal and mechanical loadings of the critical engine components are covered. Design criteria are presented and techniques leading to their fulfillment are shown. The present shortcomings of the high performance ceramic design in terms of meeting reliability and insulation targets are discussed, and the need for composite designs is shown. A ceramic design methodology for an insulated engine component is described and some of the test results are shown. Other possible future improvements such as the minimum friction-unlubricated engine through the use of ceramics are also described.