In response to exponential growth in the region, this brand new event will bring together the APAC turbochargers industry and will address the specific commercial and regulatory challenges facing local operators. With two months to go, we caught up with some of the speakers taking part to hear what opportunities and issues they are looking to discuss at this inaugural conference.
What is the number one challenge for those working in the turbocharging industry in today’s current market?
Chris Robinson, Managing Director, PCA Engineers: The challenges are similar to the recent past in terms of constant pressure to raise performance levels whilst reducing cost. The change in emphasis away from diesels to cleaner fuels brings challenges to develop turbochargers suitable for gasoline engines, also boosting requirements for fuel cells, requiring both high efficiency, broad range but at low volume flow which is particularly difficult.
Kurt Kirsten, Head of Advanced Engineering and Innovation, APL Group: To have the right charging pressure is basic for good performance and low fuel consumption of a combustion engine. Therefore turbocharger systems and especially the control systems become more and more complex. All this has a big influence on the asset’s lifetime. To create systems that provide the high performance required is the biggest challenge.
Kenichi Segawa, Manager, Product Development Group, IHI Corporation: From my understanding, the most important challenge is to find the best solution for the demand from E-system + IC engines, especially in balancing “cost, reliability and performance” as the trend of this new tide of technology. Sometimes we focus on turbocharger and engine performance too intently but the market (and automotive companies as well) demand “cost and reliability” as well. We should not forget it.
Yang Mingyang, Professor, Department of Automation, Shangahi Jiao Tong University: The latest developments in the electrification of the automobile.
What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?
Carl Burrell, Chief Designer – Concept Engines, Geely Powertrain Research Institute: The age of electrical power and energy storage devices within passenger car architecture and the changes that we will be required to adapt to. Over 100 years we have seen automotive internal combustion engines change from dynamic machines focussed on power density and performance to constant speed machines focused on high efficiency and emissions management.
Kenichi Segawa: It is the technical challenge for widening high temperature (Lambda=1) exhaust gas range of engine operation “with reliable and cost competitive VGS”. As we know, VGS turbocharger has worked in non-cooling and non-lubricated condition in the exhaust gas environment. Not only to achieve the performance to satisfy the emission requirement, but also must we satisfy the VGS operability in such a severe condition.
Andreas Jäger, Officer, IAVF Karlsruhe: IAVF has investigated correlations between oil viscosity, oil pressure build-up, heat transmission, oil consumption and wear behaviour. The gained knowledge will give the manufacturer of turbochargers and engines the possibility to develop hardware and software with a high lifetime and good performance.
Where do you see the future of these assets in the Asia Pacific region in the next 5 – 10 years?
Koen Kramer, Chief Engineer Turbocharger Department, Great Wall Motors: In 5 years the picture will probably be quite similar to Europe, with a big focus on fuel consumption. Next to that, Japan, Korea and China will probably have fast growth on fuel cell electrical vehicle.
Carl Burrell: China will be the world’s leader in these new technologies because of China’s government commitment to the automotive sector. Car sharing with partner organisations and autonomous driving is the goal, moving away from vehicle sales and selling transport solutions. Turbochargers will play a key part of this transition.
Andreas Jäger: The assets for the Asia Pacific region are mostly the same as for Europe. Manufacturers will have the task to utilize more complex turbocharger systems to achieve upcoming emission limits, even if they are providing more simple engines.
Kenichi Segawa: There are some cities that have a severe air pollution problem in the Asia Pacific region. We would like to support and solve such kinds of problems. VGS turbocharger, not only for gasoline but also for diesel, is one of our solutions against air pollution.
What topics are you looking forward to hearing about and discussing at the upcoming user group?
Kenichi Segawa: One of the points is the future trends/requirements VGS turbocharger from engine development strategy with emission requirement. Currently the tide has shifted drastically toward EVs but IC engines would still be necessary. We are still looking for what is the best solution of supercharging with combinations between an E-system and an IC engine.
Carl Burrell: Methods to suit the new focus on achieving improved fuel economy and emissions reduction, matched with electrical energy storage and power delivery.
Chris Robinson: Perceptions of the challenges for the Asian market and advances in technology relevant to our turbomachinery design niche.
Why do you feel it is important for all engineers and professionals to join the conference in Singapore?
Chris Robinson: As a business we see both manufacturing and R&D moving steadily Eastwards, away from Europe, so we are interested to develop new relationships with OEMs centred in Asia.
Kenichi Segawa: I think sharing and understanding the latest trend of powertrain technology for IC engine in Singapore is very good opportunity because Singapore seems to have a good advantage on its location; it is easy to access not only from Asia but also from EU and America, and it's close to emerging markets.
Koen Kramer: Personally, a conference helps me a lot in my creativity. The presentations and the discussions around gives me another view to certain topics. Next to that it is always good to grow your network and know where certain experts are.
Yang Mingyang: For discussions on the future trend of turbocharging technology and learning the latest development and research on turbocharging
Event details
International Conference in Turbochargers and Turbocharging Asia Pacific takes place 8-9 May 2019, PARKROYAL on Beach Road Singapore, Singapore.
The programme explores the latest technical developments in turbocharging technologies through in-depth presentations from OEMs, researchers, tier 1 suppliers and academics. By attending you will arm yourself with the latest knowledge, insights and professional connections in this fast-growing and ever-changing industry.
Speakers include representatives from:
- Geely Powertrain Research Institute
- IHI Corporation
- Proton
- Honda
- Great Wall Motors
- Garrett – Advancing Motion
- General Motors
- MHI Engine and Turbocharger Ltd and more.
For full details and to book your place, please visit www.imeche.org/turboasia.