Turbocharger Research

Performance and efficiency of today's generation of turbocharger scrolls can be improved by a better understanding of flow phenomenon inside the volute, around the tongue and other high energy areas in such configurations.  Described below is a summary of the research conducted by Dr. Meron Lavy (Mehran Moheban) in the are of radial flow turbomachines.

Numerical Analyses

A finite volume time-marching numerical method was used to develop the CFD code for the simulation of flows in turbocharger volutes. The solution initially  implemented was for inviscid flow, based on the well known Denton methodology. The program is suitable for both single- and twin-entry flow configurations. By applying empirical pressure variations at scroll's exit it was possible to model rotor-scroll interactions.  This technique was further developed to deal with 3D quasi-viscous flows in radial turbines. In this scheme the viscosity terms are included by means of shear stress terms in the flow equations. A rather simplified energy equation is used in the solution and in  this way the computational effort is kept to a minimum.

Experimental  Research

Dr. Lavy has extensive experience in the field of experimental techniques for turbomachines. With emphasis on radial flow turbines, a facility was designed and developed to study flows in vaneless volutes. A traverser mechanism was using hot-wires was implemented to measure pressures, velocities and flow angles in scroll volutes. These tests were conducted on different turbocharger vane shapes to investigate their performance.  A laser-two-focus system was first introduced as a non-intrusive way of measuring flow parameters inside turbochargers. These experimental rigs, tests and their results are available at Imperial College London University.

For more information please see references or contact or info(at)technoenterprises.com
 

Shown below are examples of the computation for a scroll volute and the turbocharger test facility.

For further details of other research work please view the following sites:

Steam Turbine Research and CFD

Dr. Meron Lavy Research work
 
 

Besides CFD flow analyses which is his prime area of research and interest he is a Director of  Sanicle Ltd. It is important to note that in the fast pace and intolerant society that we presently live, due to misconception and sometimes self-interest and for convenience, people disregard the merits of the disabled whatever its nature may be. But, evidently,  given the opportunity and the right environment to harness their skills and knowledge without prejudice, the disabled can perform the tasks with the same dedication, diligence and accuracy as the non-disabled if not even better. The employers are, for example, seeing the benefits of hiring gradutaes with autism because they have a unique talent for information technology, attention for detail and seeing patterns. Infact more and more employees are recognising the benifits of having a diverse workforce. There should be no discrimination in an educational establishment, with no double standards.The Disability and Equality Acts (for example in the UK see : UK Equality Act 2010 and the Disability Resource Centre) have made progress in removing the physical barriers but we still have some way to go in removing the more difficult and damaging attitudinal barriers. The aim of the Company is to develop and produce various innovative patented electro-mechanical devices to enhance the quality of every day life with particular emphasis on environmental issues. The projects pursued so far range from a miniature intraoral prosthesis to assist the laryngectomee patients with comprehensible speech; a flexible multi-moduled ramp for wheelchair users; to a unique sanitary door handle that minimizes cross-contamination in high traffic public areas - a breeding ground for bacterial and contagious diseases. More information can be obtained at Patents by Dr. Meron Lavy.