Steam Automobiles
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Gone but not forgotten.
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Originally Posted by seventyseven250
Doesn't matter if water is cheap, you still need an actual fuel source. Coal, fuel oil, wood, gasoline . . something. It's the cost of those fuels that will get ya.
Dono
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From: Maine
It's not bad at all.
My concern would be that the increased demand for water (even if they were able to recycle it 100%, manufacturing would require a significant amount) would drive the price of THAT sky-high. If I can't afford to put gas in my truck, I can walk, or stay home. If I can't afford water to drink, and farmers can't afford to irrigate their crops...
My concern would be that the increased demand for water (even if they were able to recycle it 100%, manufacturing would require a significant amount) would drive the price of THAT sky-high. If I can't afford to put gas in my truck, I can walk, or stay home. If I can't afford water to drink, and farmers can't afford to irrigate their crops...
Post Fiend
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From: Bonita Springs FL
I think the problem is bigger than that.
Every time energy changes form, it loses some of its energy. Gas engines are only about 30% effiecient (and that's generous). The rest of the energy is lost to heat and friction. So then instead of burning the gasoline directly, you're going to burn a fossil fuel to heat the water, which is then going to move a car. It seems to me that when you add that extra energy conversion (fossil fuel to hot water) you are making a less efficient machine.
The energy required to heat the water up has to come from somewhere. Instead of burning gas, we'd all be burning propane, kerosene, diesel oil, etc. How would we be any better off?
The same problem lies in hydrogen - we'll never have our cars all powered by hydrogen. Where does the energy come from to make the hydrogen?
We'd be no better off than we are know.
Every time energy changes form, it loses some of its energy. Gas engines are only about 30% effiecient (and that's generous). The rest of the energy is lost to heat and friction. So then instead of burning the gasoline directly, you're going to burn a fossil fuel to heat the water, which is then going to move a car. It seems to me that when you add that extra energy conversion (fossil fuel to hot water) you are making a less efficient machine.
The energy required to heat the water up has to come from somewhere. Instead of burning gas, we'd all be burning propane, kerosene, diesel oil, etc. How would we be any better off?
The same problem lies in hydrogen - we'll never have our cars all powered by hydrogen. Where does the energy come from to make the hydrogen?
We'd be no better off than we are know.
Post Fiend
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
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Originally Posted by jimandmandy
If steam is more efficient, why did the railroads and then ships all convert to diesel or diesel-electric propulsion in over the last 60 years or so?
Jim
Jim
Once again I am no expert but that's what little bit I know.
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One thing I should add is that while every locomotive I've ever been on has been diesel powered, the diesel engine does not actually turn the wheel. It is merely a generator for an electric motor that turns the axles, which makes me wonder if maybe that setup would work in a truck but that's probably a whole other thread.
Post Fiend
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
And don't forget that both steam and electric motors/engines have zero stall speed.
Try that with an internal combustion engine.
Thought I throw that one in.
Try that with an internal combustion engine.
Thought I throw that one in.
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From: SW Iowa
I read where testing has been underway on small field corn fired boilers to generate steam to power generators. Already companies manufacture corn fired heat exchangers for hot water home heating systems, so it isn't too big of a stretch to go on to steam (just 212 deg instead of 100+).
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