Surge limit definition in a specific test bench for the characterization of automotive turbochargers

Abstract This paper describes an experimental facility for the characterization of automotive turbochargers. This installation is used to determine turbine and compressor maps from turbochargers, in situations that are quite similar to reciprocating internal combustion engine operating conditions. A heavy duty diesel engine equipped with modular joints is used as a flow generator for driving the turbines, while the centrifugal compressors flow is independently fixed. In engine operation, automotive turbochargers frequently run the risk of surging and a concise knowledge of the compressor surge limits is needed so that it can be matched correctly with the engine. In this paper, a mathematical tool has been developed for marking out surge operation points from stable compressor points. The detection principle is based on the frequency domain analysis of the instantaneous variables measured in the centrifugal compressor.