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2007-05-24 Science & Technology

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Posted by Mike 2007-05-24 07:56|| || Front Page|| [8 views ] Top

#1 Sounds interesting. I wonder how durable the cylinder head is.

Posted by eLarson 2007-05-24 09:33|| 2007-05-24 09:33|| Front Page Top

#2 Ford or GM should give this guy whatever he wants and git moving on mass production, post haste.
Now that global warming will keep the water lines from freezing in the winter, we are ready for the steam engine.

Posted by wxjames 2007-05-24 10:02|| 2007-05-24 10:02|| Front Page Top

#3 IBD had a note last week that one of the unis increased efficiency by 20% by detaching some rod between 2 thingys.

Posted by anonymous2u 2007-05-24 11:27|| 2007-05-24 11:27|| Front Page Top

#4 I've been interested in the Stirling engine as an efficient engine. Apparently, it will burn just about any kind of fuel. However, I cannot find anything about the commercialization of this engine. Anyone have any info?

Posted by JohnQC 2007-05-24 12:09|| 2007-05-24 12:09|| Front Page Top

#5 The idea I'd like to hear the follow-up on was a Toyota ceramic turbine engine that could burn just about anything made up of hydrocarbons. You could put cooking oil in the tank and it was happy.

Posted by Rob Crawford">Rob Crawford 2007-05-24 12:28|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/] 2007-05-24 12:28|| Front Page Top

#6 One advantage of steam power is that anything that will generate enough steam can be used as a source of propulsion, even sunlight.
There won't be any quick solutions with respect to mass production, unfortunately. Existing improvements have not been implemented, e.g., my 1983 Ford 6.9 L diesel will burn cooking oil. A 5000 lb vehicle, it gets 25 mpg empty, and the fuel is selling for 40 to 70 cents a gallon less than gasoline at the moment. I am now using it for all my errands & leaving my gas buggy parked in the drive. The small diesel engines so popular in European auto transport have never been available in the USA.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2007-05-24 14:59|| 2007-05-24 14:59|| Front Page Top

#7 Like a bass-ackwards Jake-brake. There's a lot of power available in the compression/expansion air pump of an ICE.

Posted by Ulutch Bourbon6975 2007-05-24 15:49|| 2007-05-24 15:49|| Front Page Top

#8 JohnQC

Try this site http://www.sesusa.org/

Posted by DonM 2007-05-24 16:02|| 2007-05-24 16:02|| Front Page Top

#9 Nifty--I just wonder what happens when you run out of water while operating the engine though?

I like the Velcro replacement invention at the site as well.

Posted by Dar">Dar 2007-05-24 19:50|| 2007-05-24 19:50|| Front Page Top

#10 Additionally, as I recall water does not compress, which seems to indicate that any residual moisture would need to be blown out of the cylinders before starting the thing up, like steam locomotives do before engaging the drive rod, or bad things will happen!

Posted by Dar">Dar 2007-05-24 19:55|| 2007-05-24 19:55|| Front Page Top

#11 The problem with Stirling engines for mass transportation is the same problem that all steam-powered vehicles have faced : the sudden release of steam during accidents, and the attendant scalding injuries/deaths. Imagine a minor car crash that results in the scalding death of a baby in an SUV : liability lawsuits would bankrupt any maker almost immediately.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2007-05-24 20:33|| 2007-05-24 20:33|| Front Page Top

#12 Of course Papa Schimmelhorn informs me that steam power is the secret to anti-gravity! Flying cars for everyone! Just make sure your steam engine is certified black hole free.

Posted by bruce 2007-05-24 21:46|| 2007-05-24 21:46|| Front Page Top

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