ABB Debuts New Turbocharger Technology

Earlier this year, ABB Turbo Systems of Baden, Switzerland started delivering the latest new product from its well-regarded TPL turbocharger family, the TPL..-B turbocharger. The TPL..-B turbocharger is designed for two-stroke diesel engines as a robust and reliable platform for engine applications ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 kW per turbocharger. The unit is designed for simplicity as much as technical excellence, and the modular design boasts fewer parts than any generation before it, a trait which is designed to equal less and easier service and maintenance, as well as lower life-cycle costs. This concept is plainly evident in the fact that ABB's special TPL inboard plain bearings are designed for 35,000 operation hours, effectively doubling the lifetime of turbocharger bearings. In addition to the new bearing design, the TPL series of turbochargers have no water cooling, and feature integrated turbine and compressor cleaning devices, all factors devised to minimize downtime. As is the hallmark of all ABB products, however, service and support are available around the world, 24-hours per day, in the event of a product breakdown. Since the market introduction, 70 units have been sold in the past six months, equaling supercharging of a total engine power of nearly 1.4 million hp.