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Old 07-15-2014, 07:27 AM   #7 (permalink)
RedDevil
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peterrr View Post
If you want a better mileage it is better to use steam by attaching a pipe to the exhaust.
You would get the evaporation heat of the water for free.
That is what Green Turbine is about.
Although it is possible to run a steam powered generator on exhaust gases, the net power gain does not outweigh (literally!) the extra mass, cost and complexity of the system.
Same for the Seebeck generators; you need a big cooling plate and still get just a few % back in power for all the heat that goes through.

As for now, in a moving application like a car, there is no effective way to use exhaust heat except for heating the cabin area with an air cooled engine.
I've seen the cabin heater of an old Citroën 2CV just the other day, doing just that; the heater is always on but vents out into the front wheel wells if not needed.
If you come across a 2CV look for the pipe ends right under the front fenders.

btw. there is no such thing as evaporation heat. Evaporation absorbs heat.
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Last edited by RedDevil; 07-15-2014 at 07:33 AM..
 
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