Such kind of engine is nearly loudless with low emissions and a high torque. Todays technology might offer innovative possibilities to reinvent the classical Watt's steam engine, using modern heating systems for the steam curcuit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_engine
To complete Mario Hirz's answer
The burner is not the only part to modernise a steam engine.
The first drawback of steam engine for transport is the time to obtain enough steam to start a car.
The second drawback is to have sufficient steam to accelerate knowing that there is inertia for the boiler even if the burner has a quick answer.
A third drawback is that steam has to be very hot in all the cylinder and condensing heat transfer coefficient at the wall is high. This is not the case for internal combustion engine. Combustion is hotter than steam but can be confined especially in Diesel engine by an air surrounding.
Don't forget Diesel and Otto Engine are internal combustion engines and internal combustion permit to put instantaneously combustion energy in the cylinder. So when you press the pedal you have torque instantaneously. With steam you need an important quantity of steam in the boiler to obtain the same effect.
But there were good steam cars around 1930 in the States.
Dear Michael,
As I am not an engine engineer I have no clue on this. I woiuld look this from a full life-cycle perspective. I personally have no data on this.
Kind regards.
Patrice
The prospect of durable ceramic constructions beyond doubt in many spheres of human activity!
Steam engines are interesting alternatives and show advantages in view of efficiency. Drawbacks are slow behavior in transient conditions, weight and space requirements.
Modern steam engines (external combustion engines) work with the Stirlingcycle.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine
They can be found in stationary engine applications, e.g. for generating electricity.
Kind regards,
Mario
A Stirling Engine is also an approach...but I am interested in your view regarding a steam engine based on Watt.
.... I clarified it (see above)
Kind regards
Michael
To complete Mario Hirz's answer
The burner is not the only part to modernise a steam engine.
The first drawback of steam engine for transport is the time to obtain enough steam to start a car.
The second drawback is to have sufficient steam to accelerate knowing that there is inertia for the boiler even if the burner has a quick answer.
A third drawback is that steam has to be very hot in all the cylinder and condensing heat transfer coefficient at the wall is high. This is not the case for internal combustion engine. Combustion is hotter than steam but can be confined especially in Diesel engine by an air surrounding.
Don't forget Diesel and Otto Engine are internal combustion engines and internal combustion permit to put instantaneously combustion energy in the cylinder. So when you press the pedal you have torque instantaneously. With steam you need an important quantity of steam in the boiler to obtain the same effect.
But there were good steam cars around 1930 in the States.
Dear Paul,..
many thanks for the answer.... Yes.. indead "the time to start" might be a drawback,..but that might be solved. Since 1930 our technical possibilities increased.
On the other hand....the internal combustion in a Diesel or Otto Engine becomes more and more incomplete...the more you increase the performance and downsize the engine.
That means more NOx not only at the Diesel but also at the Otto concept.
An external combustion could be better controlled under air pollution prevention regulations.
With best regards
Michael
Dear Michael
It is true that the internal combustion engine requires more and more sophisticated means to reduce pollution.
There is a point where a steam engine could be interesting in a car: it is hybridation.
The steam engine would be used only for electrical generation. So transcient conditions could be less problematic. It could also be a range extender for an electric car.
In that case there could be innovation by suppressing the connecting rod system and using a linear movement for the generator. .... Or using rotating piston ...
I think there is a lot of possibilities as you wrote to reinvent the Watt's engine.
Best regards
Paul
Dear David,...
see the following links according Promeos and SGL Group... Technical solutions has to be discussed.
Best regards
Michael
http://www.promeos.com/cms/upload/pdf/Prospekte/promeos_Gaswaerme_eng.pdf
http://www.sglgroup.com/cms/international/innovation/best_solutions/solution_59.html?__locale=en
I guess Steam Machines cycle is inherently less efficient than Internal Combustion Cycles, it may have the advantage of lower emissions, but slower response, and perhaps weight to power ratio of the whole system precluded its use in modern cars,
YouTube includes a video of the only piloted airplane ever in flying on Steam, Saab of Sweden tested in the past century an Steam machine with several cylinders in parallel, the so called 'Statax type Barrel Engine', perhaps Ford tested Steam power too.
Philips conducted extensive research on Stirling cycle machines, another type of external combustion engine, that has the inherent feature of being more efficient with very low ambient air temperatures, out of Northern places' winters, it can be even more too thirsty.
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