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Old 04-14-2012, 06:15 PM   #26 (permalink)
Air-Hybrid
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tesla View Post
Unless the salvaged heat is somehow converted to useable energy, then the overwhelming issue is to still remove the heat generated during normal operation as it is currently a waste product for ICE's, this will still mean radiator & cooling system cannot be downsized to any great degree.
Read:
Engine Cooling System with a Heat Load Averaging Capability
to see why it can.

Note that:
"
- Under typical driving conditions, an engine generates only about 30% of available power for 90% of the time.
- The remaining 10% generally [near peak output] is used for accelerating or climbing steep inclines.
"

So with a sympathetic driver at the wheel (who understands that he will be 'borrowing' heat capacity for an overtake, etc against driving with a light foot later) I would estimate that an 80% reduction in rad-size/grill-opening would not be unrealistic for anywhere but the most hot, arid environments.
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