What is the purpose of a turbocharger?

REVISED…with the help of our friends at Western Turbo.

What is a turbocharger?

A turbocharger, better known as a turbo. is a turbine-driven forced induction device that increases the efficiency of an internal combustion engine and power output by forcing additional air into the combustion chamber. This increases the performance of your heavy duty vehicle.

The purpose of a turbocharger is to increase the efficiency of an engine by increasing the density of the intake gas (usually air), thus allowing more power per engine cycle.

A turbocharger compresses air, converting kinetic energy into pressure as it passes through a diffuser. To condense a gas means to initiate a change of state under the action of pressure, imagine that the steam turns into water.

A turbocharger can also help improve fuel efficiency without increasing power. This happens when the waste energy from the exhaust is returned to the engine intake. By using this otherwise wasted energy to increase the mass of air, it becomes easier to ensure that all of the fuel is burned before it is released at the start of the exhaust stage.