10.1 State TWO purposes of a supercharger - NSC Mechanical Technology Fitting and Machining - Question 10 - 2017 - Paper 1

1. Used in racing cars to maximize engine performance.
2. Four-stroke compression ignition engines in heavy vehicles, such as earth-moving equipment.

A turbocharger operates by using the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to spin an impeller, which compresses the air entering the engine. Here’s how it works:

1. Exhaust Gas Utilization: The turbine is driven by exhaust gases, which spin the impeller.
2. Air Compression: The spinning impeller forces air into the engine's intake, increasing the air pressure.
3. Increased Power Output: With more air, the engine can burn more fuel, leading to higher power output and efficiency.
4. Boost Control: The system must regulate the speed of the turbine to avoid over-boosting, which is crucial for maintaining engine integrity.

A steam turbine converts steam energy into mechanical energy through the following steps:

1. Steam Production: High-temperature steam is generated in a boiler.
2. Energy Conversion: The steam is directed through nozzles to expand and direct the flow onto the turbine blades.
3. Rotation: The steam pressure acts on the blades, causing it to rotate and turn a generator or perform mechanical work.
4. Output: The mechanical energy produced can then be used for various applications, such as electricity generation.

1. Water turbines.
2. Gas turbines.
3. Wind turbines.