Obscene_CNN

Originally this concept was developed for a Formula 1 team. It was never tried though. When gasses are compressed they heat up. When they expand the cool down. When you have a turbo thats regulating pressure with a wastegate every bit of exhaust thats leaked through the wastegate is energy not utilized. This system is proposing utilizing this energy as a way to refrigerate the intake charge.

Air is compresed by the primary turbocharger raising its temperature. It is then cooled via an intercooler. It then is compressed slightly more by the turbo expansion turbocharger raising its temperature again. It is then cooled by another intercoooler. At this point the air is roughly the same temperature as it would be in a normal turbocharged and intercooled system but at a higher pressure. (Here is the trick) The air is allowed to expand through a the turbo expansion turbocharger's turbine droping it to the maximum usable boost level at a lower temperature.

Keep in mind this paper is targeting the auto industry not the consumer. The auto industry cares about fuel economy and emissions more than the consumer does( at least to the extent that the government forces them to anyway). This system has application to all engines regardless of size. this guy is just trying to sell the idea to their biggest market.

This concept has potential benefits any time an ordinary turbo sytem would need to open its wastegate to control boost levels. The question is whether the lag and the increased back pressure are worth it. The only way to find out is to test it.