How does intercooling work?
08-08-2002, 11:49 PM
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How does intercooling work?
So I was just checking out Bat Lord's project and reading about the intercooler he's having installed.
I know what intercooling does and why it's done. But HOW does it work? I know there are air-to-air intercoolers, and water-to-air intercoolers, but how does each kind actually cool the air? Where does the air or water used to cool the intake air come from?
Could someone explain that for me? I'd appreciate it.
Thanks.
I know what intercooling does and why it's done. But HOW does it work? I know there are air-to-air intercoolers, and water-to-air intercoolers, but how does each kind actually cool the air? Where does the air or water used to cool the intake air come from?
Could someone explain that for me? I'd appreciate it.
Thanks.
08-09-2002, 12:12 AM
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Here are the basics from www.howstuffworks.com
QUOTE
Intercoolers
When air is compressed, it heats up; and when air heats up, it expands. So some of the pressure increase from a turbocharger is the result of heating the air before it goes into the engine. In order to increase the power of the engine, the goal is to get more air molecules into the cylinder, not necessarily more air pressure.
When air is compressed, it heats up; and when air heats up, it expands. So some of the pressure increase from a turbocharger is the result of heating the air before it goes into the engine. In order to increase the power of the engine, the goal is to get more air molecules into the cylinder, not necessarily more air pressure.
QUOTE
How a turbocharger is plumbed (including the charge air cooler)
An intercooler or charge air cooler is an additional component that looks something like a radiator, except air passes through the inside as well as the outside of the intercooler. The intake air passes through sealed passageways inside the cooler, while cooler air from outside is blown across fins by the engine cooling fan.
The intercooler further increases the power of the engine by cooling the pressurized air coming out of the compressor before it goes into the engine. This means that if the turbocharger is operating at a boost of 7 psi, the intercooled system will put in 7 psi of cooler air, which is denser and contains more air molecules than warmer air.
An intercooler or charge air cooler is an additional component that looks something like a radiator, except air passes through the inside as well as the outside of the intercooler. The intake air passes through sealed passageways inside the cooler, while cooler air from outside is blown across fins by the engine cooling fan.
The intercooler further increases the power of the engine by cooling the pressurized air coming out of the compressor before it goes into the engine. This means that if the turbocharger is operating at a boost of 7 psi, the intercooled system will put in 7 psi of cooler air, which is denser and contains more air molecules than warmer air.
