Impact of thermal barrier coating application on the performance and emissions of a turbocharged diesel engine

Abstract
In this study, the effect of thermal-barrier-coated piston top and combustion chamber surfaces on turbocharged diesel engine performance was experimentally investigated. Satisfactory performance was obtained with TBC1 (with coated cylinder head and valves) and TBC2 (with coated cylinder head, piston top, and valves). Compared with a standard diesel engine, engine power was increased by 2 per cent, the engine torque was increased by 1.5–2.5 per cent, and brake specific fuel consumption (b.s.f.c.) was decreased by 4.5–9 per cent. The NOx emissions were increased by 10 per cent in diesel engines with TBC coatings compared with a standard diesel engine. Experimental studies have shown that there is a reduction in smoke emissions of up to 18 per cent as a result of TBC application.