Diesel Waste Heat Recovery Utilizing a SuperTurbocharger

SuperTurbocharger is a compact, low cost, lightweight device being developed for maximum exhaust heat recovery from most piston engines such as those used in U.S. Army ground vehicles. The recovered energy is mechanically transferred to the engine crankshaft by the device, thereby improving the fuel efficiency. Conversely, the same SuperTurbocharger can accelerate the compressor in fraction of a second to reduce turbo lag. Preliminary modeling and tests conducted using the first and second generation prototypes on natural gas, diesel and gasoline engines were very promising. In Phase I, an engine will be selected and modeled without the SuperTurbocharger to establish the baseline on fuel efficiency. Further modeling will be performed on the same engine using the SuperTurbocharger to turbo compound exhaust energy to the maximum. Data will be compared to determine the feasibility of fuel efficiency gains. After successful completion of Phase I, the Phase I option will be exercised to design the SuperTurbocharger based on the Phase I model. In Phase II, a heat recovery system will be developed and built for testing on the selected engine in a laboratory. Necessary improvements will be made to the prototype to be ready for testing on a vehicle in Phase III.