Calnetxi Technologies’ motors are a key component of the MHI-MME electric-assist turbochargers. Herman Artinian, vice president of business development at Calnetxi, said that Calnetxi’s advanced power systems enabled the turbocharger to perform independently of the engine exhaust conditions. This means the compressor performance is decoupled from the exhaust turbine performance, and can therefore provide the necessary air/fuel ratio for optimum engine performance under all load, speed, start/stop and ramp-up conditions.
The turbocharger motor generator assist the turbocharger during startup and low-speed operation (slow steaming) to create the necessary boost to optimise engine performance, and generates power from excess exhaust energy during steady-state, constant-speed operation. Testing has been performed at various engine manufacturer test stands and for four-stroke engines, an efficiency gain of over 5 per cent has been recorded at partial-load conditions (a 25-35 per cent range). For two-stroke large engines, an efficiency gain of over 2 per cent has been achieved. Field trials are being planned.
According to Calnetxi, the benefits of this configuration include: an optimal air/fuel ratio under any given engine condition; a smaller engine can be used for the same power output; production of electric power from waste heat; elimination of turbo-lag; reduced emissions; minimum space requirement for the motor generator system, which can withstand high temperatures; low-cost integration of the motor generator system; and reduced fuel consumption.
Kristen Frey, director of marketing at Calnetxi, told Worldwide Turbocharger Guide: “We have been working together with MHI-MME since 2005 to improve the energy efficiency of marine vessels without impacting vessel operation or performance through highly efficient and cost-effective pressure and heat recovery systems. These systems enable the vessels to get more energy from less fuel, thus reducing operating costs, as well as help meeting international maritime environmental regulations. The products have a long lifespan, require no major engine modification, require minimal maintenance and are extremely reliable. Existing MHI-MME products with integrated Calnetxi Technologies include the MET Hybrid Turbocharger and the Electric Assist MET Turbocharger. We will continue to improve our motor-generator design and controls, and expand the availability of the technology to other product families and frame sizes.”
Calnetxi is creating new controls software to completely eliminate the need for auxiliary blowers for both the hybrid and electric-assist systems. The existing turbochargers will operate via electric motor, eliminating the need for an auxiliary blower. This functionality will also reduce electricity consumption by over 22 per cent. Calnetxi is also looking at potential gains through the use of magnetic bearings. The turbocharger motor generator assist technology will also be used in other industrial applications, such as four-stroke diesel engines in power generation. WTG
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