Parasitic steam engine
So I don't know if this would be worth the effort, but I've been kicking this idea around for a while.
Steam needs a heat source, ICE engines get hot. Why not use the heat from the engine to run a steam motor that generates electricity? I don't know of any hybrids that run off battery alone. but with a regular engine and a steam engine going, shouldn't that get close to charging up the batteries? Is it worth the weight penalty? |
Re: Parasitic steam engine
A couple of flaws I see off the bat....
1. Added weight AND SPACE of the steam engine and the water storage required for creating the steam. I imagine you'd need to carry ALOT of water to run a steam engine. 2. To produce the steam, you need to heat water. "Heating" involves the transfer of heat. Taking heat from the engine, at least in the winter months might result in the ICE having to come back on to get the engine up to operating temps. That would waste fuel. 3. Efficiency of a steam engine. I don't know how efficiently a steam engine produces electricity and whether that efficiency is a match for the motor/generators in today's hybrids. |
Re: Parasitic steam engine
This sounds a little like getting free hot water out of the wood stove you use to heat the house. I know it's not the same, but I ried putting a copper water coil in my heater, and could barely get any heat out of it for the house.
If you suck heat away from the engine, there's bound to be a penalty of some sort. Probably reduced efficiency because the engine can't get up tp proper operational temperature. ....and then there's the weight penalty. |
Re: Parasitic steam engine
Originally Posted by Klepto
(Post 175970)
So I don't know if this would be worth the effort, but I've been kicking this idea around for a while.
Steam needs a heat source, ICE engines get hot. Why not use the heat from the engine to run a steam motor that generates electricity? I don't know of any hybrids that run off battery alone. but with a regular engine and a steam engine going, shouldn't that get close to charging up the batteries? Is it worth the weight penalty? So, the problems to be engineered out:
|
Re: Parasitic steam engine
Let's forget about mehcanical systems and their losses, and focus on something semiconductor/solid-state: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0603110849.htm Thermoelectric generators would use exhaust and/or coolant system heat, low weight, and low maintenance. Then again, the inventor of the SuperSoaker might have a better idea: http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/mar08/6079
-J |
Re: Parasitic steam engine
Originally Posted by Jiml
(Post 177633)
Let's forget about mehcanical systems and their losses, and focus on something semiconductor/solid-state: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0603110849.htm Thermoelectric generators would use exhaust and/or coolant system heat, low weight, and low maintenance. Then again, the inventor of the SuperSoaker might have a better idea: http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/mar08/6079
-J This would kill the Flowmaster business model though. ;) |
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