Alternator Performance Analysis of a Micro-Turbo generator in Automotive Application

Abstract

A micro-turbo generator is a combination of an alternator and a turbocharger which is used to convert rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy. It can be configured with different prime movers such as a steam turbine, a gas turbine in single-cycle or in a combined-cycle arrangement. The primary objective of this project is to study the performance analysis of a micro-turbo generator in automotive application and to determine the correct alternator that can supply current to generate the test rig. An experiment has been conducted to find the output current of the alternator by using an instrument and it involved certain mathematical calculations based on the output voltage and alternator power. The results show that the higher the alternator speed, the higher the output current or power produced. This concludes that with the increment of the alternator’s output voltage along with the alternator’s speed, the alternator is really charging up the battery. A fully charged battery should have a voltage reading above 13.7 V. Therefore, this proves that the usage of the alternator in a lower engine capacity is applicable. Besides, the higher the alternator’s speed, the lower the alternator’s output current. This indicates that theoretically, there are possible loads acting on the engine and the current decreased as it was consumed by the loads. In addition, the higher the alternator’s output voltage, the lower the alternator’s output current.