View Single Post
Old 03-01-2014, 01:45 PM   #5 (permalink)
RustyLugNut
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 982
Thanks: 271
Thanked 385 Times in 259 Posts
Both you and Old Tele man are correct.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ View Post
Turbochargers are /pressure/ engines, not heat engines. If the water evaporates while crossing the face of the turbine, the steam expansion rate creates a higher pressure differential across its face, thus increasing the power by which it can be driven. The heat is completely circumstantial to this process.
The turbocharger, like all turbines, are mass flow engines. Heat and pressure do work to move a mass of working fluid through the turbine producing power. Think of the turbines in a hydroelectric dam.
  Reply With Quote