Estudo do dimensionamento de turbocompressor para aplicação em um propulsor de motocicleta

Abstract

Turbochargers were developed with the aim of enhancing combustion engines, enabling small displacement engines to produce power comparable to larger engines. The turbocharger works by reusing exhaust gases to turn a rotor connected to turbine blades that draw air into the engine. By increasing the mass flow of air admitted to the engine, to match the increased fuel flow, it is possible to boost power without internal modifications to the engine itself. The turbocharger market has been growing considerably, particularly due to the concept of downsizing, which has been extensively studied in recent years. The region where turbochargers are least used is South America, with Brazil representing the largest portion of this market. This contradicts a characteristic of the country—ethanol-fueled vehicles. Ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline, which allows for higher compression pressures without detonation. Therefore, the association between ethanol and a turbocharging system is particularly suitable for vehicles. This work presents a clear methodology for selecting the ideal turbocharger for specific applications. It also proposes a model to demonstrate that small engines can achieve power comparable to, or even exceeding, that of larger engines—if properly sized and matched with the right compressor.