Quote:
Originally Posted by P-hack
ICE's are gonna get smaller as plug-in takes over, and with that power abstraction we are gonna finally see more turbines that don't waste energy on reversing pistons and dozens of other friction points. But not until we have milked the @#$@# out of the piston.
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As far as "downsizing" engines you can go in the direction of Ford's EcoBoost line of smaller displacement, higher specific power output or Mazda's SkyActiv higher displacement, lower specific power output but increased thermal efficiency at required loads. Both have their virtues.
And as far as turbines go for general transportation power - no. As Old Mechanic has already pointed out, there are few reasons to use one in a car if fuel efficiency is a requirement. The best turbines are little better than the average gasoline engine as far as thermal efficiency if no recovery of waste heat is possible. Your Prius has a markedly better engine for economy.
And then there is the cost - gas turbines are simply too costly. My neighbor is an import tuner kind of guy. He dropped by with a very large and costly turbo he was rebuilding. The large amount of Inconel steels for the exhaust turbine and variable vanes is a pretty penny. Imagine ten times that amount in a small horsepower turbine for propulsion. There is no way around it. He told me there are ceramic components in the future, so cost may be reduced somewhat. The bearings are already high temperature capable ferro-ceramic. The compressor wheel is a finely machined aircraft aluminum. The whole rotating assembly is balanced to a fine degree. And, it costs him more than a complete rebuild of the Cummins 6.7L diesel engine sitting on my engine stand.
But, I do agree with you about the increased use of plug in hybrids. They will be the stop gap until improved batteries make electrics viable. But, better engines can be developed. GM has left a lot on the table to improve upon the Chevy Volt's main engine. I believe they understood this and concentrated on the electric drive-train first off. Improved engines can easily follow especially ones that are designed for the lowest specific fuel consumption at a set speed and power output.