First of new high pressure turbocharger family is launched

ABB Turbocharging of Switzerland is launching a new family of turbochargers, the A100 series, which is designed to offer pressure ratios up to 5.8:1 from a single-stage unit. The first in the series, the A140-H, is intended for high speed diesel and gas engines. The high speed engine product will be followed in due course by the A100-M series and the A100-L series for medium and low speed engines, respectively.

According to ABB, the A140-H has been released to the market the successful conclusion of a rigorous qualification program and numerous engine tests. It is the first frame size of the new A100 series to have been delivered for selected field installations, and field trials are currently in progress. A further three frame sizes are scheduled to be introduced by mid-2009 for advanced diesel and gas engines.

ABB says that it has developed the A100-H turbocharger series for future engine concepts. Offering maximum pressure ratios of up to 5.8 and designed to perform at high efficiency levels, the A100-H turbochargers will support high power density, high efficiency high-speed diesel and gas engine programmes aimed at lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption.

The A140-H features three new compressor stages with optimised impellers and new high-pressure diffusers. Compressor cooling is standard, allowing maximum pressure to be achieved with aluminium compressor wheels, while ensuring that compressor replacement intervals are comparable with those of current turbochargers. The A140-H also features a newly developed turbine stage, including new gas inlet and outlet casings.

ABB claims that the A140-H sets a new benchmark for power density in turbocharger design.