AVAT, KBB to collaborate on turbochargers

German technology company AVAT Automation GmbH and Kompressorenbau Bannewitz GmbH (KBB) have announced that they will work together to make turbocharger technology for large combustion engines more powerful and efficient through digital technology.

Working to develop a digital solution for turbochargers to increase operational efficiency and prevent costly failures (from left) are Dr. Silvio Risse (KBB), Thomas Hutter (AVAT), Dr. Roman Drozdowski (KBB) and Frank Ganssloser (AVAT) (Photo: AVAT)

The cooperation between AVAT and KBB combines decades of experience in turbocharger technology with expertise in the automation and digitalization of power plants. Turbochargers are a key component in the performance and efficiency of internal combustion engines used in ships and energy generation. 

For more than 30 years, AVAT has developed automation solutions for the global energy sector while KBB is a supplier of turbochargers for large combustion engines used in ships, locomotives and stationary power plants worldwide.

The companies said the application of new hardware and software will allow them to collect and analyze a wide range of operating data and metrics from the turbocharger, which will provide valuable information about operating parameters and possible damage patterns. By analyzing the data, the companies said they can identify optimization potential in operation at an early stage and proactively identify maintenance requirements.

Long-term data collected through digital means is expected to enable more accurate detection of changes in turbocharger performance and operation through time-based comparisons. As the amount of data increases, AVAT said the ability to detect damage will become more sophisticated, allowing new data-based maintenance intervals to be developed over time. Predictive maintenance will help avoid equipment failures.