Thermal Investigation of a Turbocharger Using IR Thermography

Abstract

An experimental thermal survey of a turbocharger was performed in an engine test cell using IR thermography. The emissivity coefficients of housings were specified using a furnace and camera. It was shown that the emissivity of the turbine, compressor, and bearing housings are 0.92, 0.65, and 0.74, respectively. In addition, thermocouples were mounted on the housing to validate the temperature of the thermal camera while running in an engine test cell. To compare the data of the thermocouple with data from the thermal camera, an image was taken from the sensor’s location on the housing. The experimental results show that the temperature prediction of the thermal camera has less than 1 percent error. Steady-state tests at various working points and unsteady tests including warm-up and cool-down were performed. The measurements indicate that the turbine casing’s maximum temperature is 839 °C. Furthermore, a thermal image of the bearing housing shows that the area’s average temperature, which is close to the turbine housing, is 7 °C lower than the area close to the compressor housing. The temperature of the bearing housing near the turbine side should be higher; however, the effect of the water passing through the bearing housing decreases the temperature.