Quote:
Originally Posted by smokey442
I'm currently working on a similar project. Inline 4 cyl gasoline engine. Cylinders 2+3 run in the conventional manner. 1+4 are steam driven using original exhaust valves as steam inlet and original intake as steam exhaust. Traditional radiator is substituted with a heat exchanger that sponges waste heat from engine coolant. Hot water is then pumped into a water jacket that surrounds most of the exhaust system raising it above boiling temperature. The steam engine purist cringe over this but there isn't enough real estate under the hood to accomodate a perpose built steam engine. I did a similar project a few years back using a radial inflow steam turbine mechanically linked to the crank via a cogged belt. 47MPG highway on a 26MPG epa. 150 rear wheel HP vs 118 advertised HP at the crank. Biggest problem was generating quality dry steam to eliminate water slugs that erode turbine blades. Reciprocating steam engines can tolerate some slugs without catastrophic failure. Have to fabricate custom cam core for this to happen but its in the works.
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These are some very cool numbers. I'd like to know more on sizing of different exchangers and such of this cogged belt combination. The largest steam turbine I've found was 5 horsepower...and it was just the plans. What did you use? Thanks in advance
rubenova