Turbocharger Cartridge Components – An In-depth Guide

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February 18, 2025
2:49 pm

The cartridge is the essential core part of the marine turbocharger. A turbocharger cartridge is called the Center Housing Rotating Assembly (CHRA), which houses several crucial parts. A cartridge can regulate the equipment’s functioning during minor turbo component failure.

This comprehensive guide on marine turbocharger cartridges delves into its operations and prime parts.

What is a Marine Turbocharger Cartridge?

A marine turbocharger cartridge, or the CHRA, is the central and pivotal component of the turbo assembly, housing several vital parts securely to regulate safe and efficient operations. The cartridge is connected to the turbine housing on one side and the compressor housing on the other with bolts. It comprises a rotating shaft that connects the compressor wheel to the turbine wheel.

Prime Components in a Marine Turbocharger Cartridge

Much like the vehicle modules, the marine versions also feature a configuration of several intricate attachments. Before presenting our collection of marine turbocharger parts from top global brands, here is an overview of the prime turbo cartridge elements.

Center Housing Rotating Assembly (CHRA)

While the terms cartridge and CHRA are used interchangeably, there is a slight difference between these turbocharger components. CHRA is a casing within the cartridge that securely houses a shaft to connect the turbine wheel and the compressor wheel.

Turbine Wheel

The turbine wheel with a multi-bladed structure sits in the turbine housing. It extracts and manipulates the exhaust gases entering the turbo system. Later, the gases produce energy due to the spinning action of the wheel to power the turbocharger and the propulsion system.

Rotating Turbo Shaft/ Central Shaft

The turboshaft connects the turbine wheel to the compressor wheel. It rotates speedily to spin the exhaust gases within the turbine wheel. Furthermore, the shaft carries the energy from the turbine wheel to the compressor.

Compressor Wheel

Most turbochargers feature a lightweight aluminum compressor wheel within the compressor housing. It spins at optimum speed to pull gases at a high speed and compresses them under high pressure. Later, the compressed air passes through the curved compressor housing at a high force into the engine for the combustion cycle.

Oil and Coolant Passageways

The constant flow of hot gases from the engine through the turbine and compressor units imposes the marine turbocharger cartridge to extremely high temperatures and pressure. Besides the coolant supply from the engine pump, the marine turbochargers boast thermal siphoning technology. It regulates water supply through coolant passage lines within the CHRA even when the engine and pumps are not working.

Nozzle Ring

The turbine nozzle ring is a tiny part of the turbocharger turbine that passes the hot exhaust gases from the marine engine to the turbine wheel within the CHRA. Marine turbo systems usually feature heavy-duty items in steel, nickel-chromium alloy, Nimonic nickel alloy, titanium, or Hastelloy. The turbine unit may have fixed vane nozzle rings, or variable geometry nozzle rings within the cartridge may vary depending on the turbocharger model.

Wastegate Unit

The cartridge in a turbocharged engine system has a valve called the wastegate unit to allow the passage of exhaust gases from the combustion chamber to the turbine housing. It elevates the air pressure by forcing excessive gas into the cartridge chamber.

Turbocharger Cartridge Bearings

Marine turbochargers usually comprise bronze bearings to reduce frictional wear and tear within the cartridge. These bearings prevent contact between the turbine housing and the wheel. The type of bearings depends on the turbocharger design and mechanism.

Journal Bearings

The journal bearings within the turbocharger cartridge ease the radial movement of the rotating shaft. These bearings mechanisms support diverse applications while assuring an extended component lifecycle.

Thrust Bearings

Thrust bearings are paired with the journal bearings in the cartridge to support the axial movement of the shaft. Such bearings protect the shaft from excessive thrust during high pressure and vibration.

Ball Bearings

Marine turbochargers feature multi-lobed ball bearings for their supreme resilience and capability to curb frictional energy losses.

Why Buy Marine Turbocharger Cartridge Items from Alfa Marine Spare Parts

Alfa Marine Spare Parts is the premium online store for everything necessary in the marine engine room and cockpit. Visit our gallery to explore the collection of vessel engines and OEM spare parts from globally renowned brands – Caterpillar, MAN, Deutz, Komatsu, Yanmar, Cummins, Perkins, Scania, and many others. We deliver your shipment fast to minimize fleet downtime and smooth user experience.

Here is the list of some popular turbocharger cartridge parts in our warehouse.

316-1438 Cat Cartridge Assembly