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High efficiency ICE (exhaust heat recovery)
Since ICE's reject a large deal of thermal energy from the exhaust i had the idea of utilizing this to possible improve efficiency.
Idea
Take say a 4 cylinder engine and route the exhaust from cylinder 1 and 4 to the intake of cylinder 2 and 3. Replace the spark plug in 2 and 3 with a high pressure water injector. Basically you would be converting the waste heat from the cylinder 1 and 4 exhaust to mechanical energy (i.e. a steam engine). Cylinder 1 and 4 would probably need forced induction to make enough power for compressing 2 and 3. May need a strong diesel cycle engine to withstand forces. You may be able to reach much higher thermal efficiencies.
Potential problems.
- Would have to be a low reving engine since steam expands only moderately quickely
- the compression stroke in cylinder 2 and 3 would generate really high temperatures before water is injected, which would create insanely high pressures.
Could this possibly work? Please provide comments and ideas
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