Experimental and modeling investigations on propulsion system components

For over 40 years, the research group has conducted studies on turbochargers, thanks to the availability of an experimental test bench particularly suited for investigating propulsion system components in steady and unsteady flow. The research group boasts numerous collaborations in the sector, including European projects (NICE, POWERFUL, UPGRADE), and corporate collaborations with Automobili Lamborghini, FPT Industrial, CRITT M2A, General Motors Powertrain-Europe S.r.l, Centro Ricerche Fiat, Ferrari, Honeywell-Garrett, Microtecnica, Ansaldo Ricerche, and Röchling Automotive Engineering. The research group's operational capabilities cover various aspects related to the performance analysis of propulsion system components, including:

  • Experimental definition of compressor and turbocharger performance over a wide operating range;
  • Study of different geometric configurations and turbocharger control systems;
  • Development of unsteady-flow investigations of propulsion system components;
  • Applying methodologies for predicting component performance in steady-state and unsteady-state flow;
  • 1D modeling of propulsion system components in the GT-Power environment.

The available experimental equipment allows for the development of various research activities, including:

  • Studying the functional instability phenomena of small radial compressors under steady-state and unsteady-state flow conditions;
  • Studying the fluid dynamics of exhaust gas aftertreatment devices and their interaction with the supercharger;
  • Optimizing the geometry of the exhaust system of turbocharged ICMs (manifolds, junctions, etc.);
  • Optimizing the control strategies of the valve-manifold-turbocharger subsystem, even in the presence of advanced valve control systems;
  • Studying the transient response of the supercharging system.

Laboratories

Laboratorio di Motori a Combustione Interna e Sistemi Propulsivi

Publications

  • S. Marelli, G. Marmorato, M. Capobianco, “Evaluation of heat transfer effects in small turbochargers by theoretical model and its experimental validation”, Energy, Volume 112, pages 264-272, 10.1016/j.energy.2016.06.067, October 2016.
  • S. Marelli, C. Carraro, G. Marmorato, G. Zamboni, M. Capobianco , “Experimental Analysis on Steady Flow Performance under Unstable Operating Conditions and on Surge Limit of a Turbocharger Compressor”, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, Volume 53, pages 154-160, doi: 10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2013.11.025, February 2014.
  • S. Marelli, M. Capobianco, “Steady and pulsating flow efficiency of a waste-gated turbocharger radial flow turbine for automotive application”, Energy, vol. 36, p. 459-465, ISSN: 0360-5442, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2010.10.019, 2011.
  • S- Marelli, P. Silvestri, V. Usai, M. Capobianco, Incipient Surge Detection in Automotive Turbocharger Compressors. SAE Technical Papers, DOI:10.4271/2019-24-0186, 2019.
  • S. Marelli, V. Usai, Experimental analysis and 1D simulation of an advanced hybrid boosting system for automotive applications in transient operation. International Journal of Engine Research, DOI: 10.1177/14680874211060173, 2023.
Last update