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Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob
I'd sure like to see the reference for a Stirling or a Turbine that is more efficient than IC.
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Any basic physics text should cover it.
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Electric and steam were both better for simple transmissions with good acceleration; ICE won on range and convenience.
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Thermodynamic efficiency doesn't apply to electric motors. Steam is less efficient, which is why we don't have a whole lot of steam locomotives and ships these days.
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Stirlings and turbines are OK to use up waste heat from ICE, if there's enough to pay for them.
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Nope. That's why the development of the turbo-compounding aircraft engine was dropped: it turned out to be more efficient just to run the turbine, and leave off the IC engine. It's also why you see a lot of gas turbines used for power generation, but very few diesels.