Can Turbocharged Cars Be Converted to Run on CNG?

[Peterson]

Turbocharged cars can be converted to run on CNG. Working Principle: To address the turbo lag phenomenon in exhaust gas turbocharging, two methods are employed: either connecting one large and one small turbocharger in series or two identical turbochargers in parallel. At low engine speeds, minimal exhaust gas is sufficient to drive the turbocharger to rotate at high speed, generating adequate intake pressure and reducing turbo lag effect. Mechanical Supercharging: Mechanical supercharging is directly driven by the engine operation. Its advantage is the absence of turbo lag, while its drawbacks include partial power loss and relatively lower boost pressure. Exhaust Gas Turbocharging: Exhaust gas turbocharging utilizes the residual kinetic energy of engine exhaust to drive the turbocharger rotation. Its advantages are high turbocharger speed and significant boost pressure, leading to notable power enhancement. The disadvantage is the presence of turbo lag, meaning at lower engine speeds (typically below 1500-1800 RPM), the exhaust kinetic energy is insufficient to drive the turbocharger to rotate at high speed and generate increased intake pressure. Under such conditions, the engine power is equivalent to that of a naturally aspirated engine. When the speed increases, the turbocharging effect kicks in, resulting in a sudden power surge.