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10.1 State TWO purposes of a supercharger - NSC Mechanical Technology Welding and Metalwork - Question 10 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 10
10.1 State TWO purposes of a supercharger. 10.2 Name TWO examples of where a supercharger is used. 10.3 Turbochargers are used in heavy vehicles to increase the en... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:10.1 State TWO purposes of a supercharger - NSC Mechanical Technology Welding and Metalwork - Question 10 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
State TWO purposes of a supercharger.
Answer
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The supercharger increases the intake air pressure, allowing for a greater amount of air to enter the engine. This results in improved engine efficiency and overall performance.
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It enhances the volumetric efficiency of the engine by forcing more air into the combustion chamber, which ultimately leads to increased power output.
Step 2
Name TWO examples of where a supercharger is used.
Answer
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Superchargers are commonly used in racing cars to provide the necessary power for high-performance racing.
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They are also used in four-stroke compression ignition engines in heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, to improve their power and efficiency.
Step 3
Explain the principle of operation of the turbocharger.
Answer
A turbocharger operates by utilizing the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to drive a turbine that spins an impeller. Here’s a breakdown of its operation:
- Exhaust gases from the engine flow into the turbocharger, where they spin the turbine.
- This rotation of the turbine causes the connected compressor to also rotate, drawing in ambient air.
- The compressor then compresses this air, increasing its pressure before it is fed into the engine’s intake.
- The increased air density allows for more fuel to be injected, leading to enhanced power output.
- The principle relies on the conservation of mass and energy, as the exhaust gas flow drives the turbine which, in turn, forces more air into the combustion chamber.
Step 4
Explain the basic operation of a steam turbine.
Answer
A steam turbine converts thermal energy from steam into mechanical energy through the following steps:
- High-temperature steam is directed towards the blades of the turbine.
- As the steam expands and moves through the nozzles, it strikes the blades, causing them to rotate.
- The kinetic energy of the steam is converted into rotational motion, which can then be used to drive generators or other machinery.
- The reaction of steam against the blades leads to continuous rotation, allowing for sustained mechanical work.
Step 5