Re: 'Steam' powered cars...

Ian Stirling · 2005-12-21T15:58:31+00:00

not.However, the BMW gadget suffers from none of this - car engines are quiteinefficient (thermodynamically), and the exhaust temperature (at the exhaust valve) is around 700C.Current car engines are about 25% at best efficient, so 75% of power goesout the exhaust pipe wasted.Theoretically, about 66% of this could be recovered by a completelyefficient heat engine, but in practice, even large power stations only getabout 50%, and they start off a bit hotter, as well as having ready accessto cooling water.10% is probably achievable - in the long term, for maybe a recovery of 7.5%,or a gain in efficiency of 30%.This means however major additional systems such as much, much bigger radiators.

Dec 21, 2005 41 Replies

Rate this thread:

Adrian 20 years ago

Andy Dingley ( snipped-for-privacy@codesmiths.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

OK, so you didn't like the answer of "Esprit", and you've ignored the other answer of "Legacy". How about various Celicas?

Vote

Shokka 20 years ago

diesel engines are better. the most efficient non vehicular diesel engine can achieve over 50% efficiency.

a demonstration 1 litre car was able to travel over 100km on 0.89 litres of fuel. in practice production cars can do 100km on 3 litres of fuel.

shokk

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required