By turbocharging an engine, the following advantages are obtained:
- Increased power for an engine of the same size OR reduction in size for an engine with the same power output.
- Reduced specific fuel oil consumption – mechanical, thermal and scavenge efficiencies are improved due to less cylinders, greater air supply and use of exhaust gasses.
- Thermal loading is reduced due to shorter more efficient burning period for the fuel leading to less exacting cylinder conditions.
More than a third of the energy in the fuel is lost through the heat of the exhaust. A turbocharger allows a high proportion of that to be recovered for performing useful work. Even more is recoverable by heat exchangers and other means including power turbine in a waste heat recovery system.