steam engine

[beef_bourito]

there's that thread about a 6 stroke engine that someone conceptualized that got me thinking. do you think it would be possible to make a steam engine based on the current diesel engine?

let's say you took a diesel, made it run a rediculously high compression ratio and stuck a blower on it to get alot of really really hot air when the engine's at TDC, then injected water into the cylender to turn it into steam and force the piston down. do you think that would work?

to get the engine warmed up and moving you might have to start it on diesel for a few minutes, then you could switch over to water.

and if this isn't plausible, how about a hybrid system that used a solution of ethanol and water instead of just straight water. the ethanol could burn and create some heat to support the steam production.

[beef_bourito]

nevermind, it wouldn't work because the steam production wouldn't provide enough energy to make more. i just thought about it again in terms of energy going in vs energy coming out.

the water is absorbing energy in the form of heat from the air in the cylender. this turns the water into steam, which applies a force onto the piston and transfers energy to it (kinetic energy). the piston then transfers its kinetic energy into the air, making it hot, which then passes it onto the steam.

if this engine worked i would have created perpetual motion.

note to self, don't try to invent anything during a study marathon for tomorrow's exam.

[bobss396]

Steam engines were horribly inefficient, we studied them when I was in automotive school. They're down around somewhere at 4-7% efficient.

[Steel]

Originally Posted by beef_bourito

nevermind, it wouldn't work because the steam production wouldn't provide enough energy to make more. i just thought about it again in terms of energy going in vs energy coming out.

the water is absorbing energy in the form of heat from the air in the cylender. this turns the water into steam, which applies a force onto the piston and transfers energy to it (kinetic energy). the piston then transfers its kinetic energy into the air, making it hot, which then passes it onto the steam.

if this engine worked i would have created perpetual motion.

note to self, don't try to invent anything during a study marathon for tomorrow's exam.

I think that was the whole purpose of the 6 stroke - to use to fuel to reheat the cylinders

[beef_bourito]

yeah, the 6 stroke uses the steam to reclaim energy wasted in exhaust heat.

considering how my final today went, my brain was probably pretty close to goo at that point last night lol

[Steel]

bah, i have all my finals next week. My materials final is gonna suck. my brain is already goo from phase diagrams. I jsut DONT GET THEM!

[beef_bourito]

a friend of mine had materials and multivariable calc (i believe it's calc 2 at most schools) today. i feel sorry for her.

i won't be taking materials for another 2 years unfortunately. electricals don't take it, and my marks aren't high enough to switch into civil yet (using next year to raise my marks)