Following the introduction of the TCA axial turbocharger two years ago, MAN B&W Diesel Group announced an expansion of the range to include a completely new radial turbocharger. The TCR turbocharger will replace the current NR series that has been in production for nearly 50 years culminating in the current NR/S design. The new TCR series has a compressor pressure ratio of 4.7 and is capable of up to 5.2 when built as a special version. Aimed specifically at the medium and high-speed diesel and gas markets, six different models are able to cover a wide range of outputs from 400 to almost 6,000 kW.
The TCA and TCR are the first MAN B&W Diesel turbochargers to be completely designed using a 3D-CAD system. This simplifies and reduces development work by integrating innovative software tools during the CFD (flow) and FEA (strength) analysis. These findings allow the optimisation of the material used for the turbocharger so as to combine maximum strength with the lowest possible weight and a compact design.
The flow and strength analyses resulted in a completely new design of compressor wheel, which permits higher efficiency, quicker response behaviour during acceleration and, therefore, minimal emissions from the complete system. The compressor wheel is screwed onto the shaft via a special retainer, which ensures precise centring. This design permits, among other things, a reduction of the hub and, therefore, an increase in the airflow rate.