Novel Steam Engine: Amazing Power for Airplanes

In summary, the concept of a steam engine powering an airplane is interesting, but the power to weight ratio is too low for it to be practical. The reciprocating steam engine is still being used in small sawmills and the Third World, but it would require an external energy source to run it continuously.
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
Interesting innovation, but it is still a steam engine that works on the same basic principle that drove trains 150 years ago. It is long obsolete.

And the reason they never worked for airplanes is that the power to weight ratio is far too low due to the fact that you need fuel and water and a boiler and an engine, whereas you could burn the fuel directly in the engine (at higher efficiency), and get rid of the water and the boiler.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
russ_watters said:
Interesting innovation, but it is still a steam engine that works on the same basic principle that drove trains 150 years ago. It is long obsolete.

And the reason they never worked for airplanes is that the power to weight ratio is far too low due to the fact that you need fuel and water and a boiler and an engine, whereas you could burn the fuel directly in the engine (at higher efficiency), and get rid of the water and the boiler.

Awwww, Russ you big kill joy, you are supposed to wax lyrical about steam
engines, they are big kids toys, and are getting lighter :biggrin:
 
  • #4
Instead of smog we can have fog.
 
  • #5
Not bad, quite interesting. Though I do wonder how well the flex will stand up to use. I didn't notice any provision for waste steam porting/valving for condensate return. Sort of reminds of a design in one of my old P.M. encyclopedias.

Russ: Steam is making a comeback of sorts. There are some experimental models for personal vehicles. Though I do doubt that they will be on the road anytime soon. However, some smaller sawmills still use steam power, largely because it is economical for them and works well. I was at the Paisley Steam Show last summer and was quite impressed when the sawmill bit into a hardwood log without slowing down. http://www.bruceheritage.org/
 
  • #6
Steam itself isn't outdated, it's reciprocating steam engines that are outdated. Steam has been driving turbines for decades.
 
  • #7
http://www.cr.nps.gov/habshaer/haer/1998proj/hulloaks.htm" [Broken] is located in the southern Willamette valley is noted for its steam engine.
A significant benefit it the that they fuel it with sawdust.

One could say that HP has made billions and billions $$ off of steam engines in the last 20 years. A Thermal Inkjet pen is a very simple steam engine. The work done is squirting ink.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #8
Intuitive said:
Instead of smog we can have fog.


And what do you plan on burning to ensure that we won't have smog? Water?! :smile:
 
  • #9
Russ: While your statement is generally true, there is still a use for reciprocating engines. While they are less efficient than turbines they are generally able to take more abuse (looser tolerances) and keep running under conditions in which a turbine would experience a rather abrupt expansion. Recips are still in use, notably in small sawmills and the Third World.
 
  • #10
Is this possible?
 

Attachments

  • Steam Car Engine.pdf
    116.8 KB · Views: 482
  • #11
david_india said:
Is this possible?

No for two reasons:
  1. It is prepetual machine, the battery is running the burner, and being charged by power output from the turbine. This is not possible because you can't get more energy out of the steam engine than you first put into it as heat. In reality you will get much less based on the system efficiency.
  2. The pump (compressor in your diagram) is in the wrong spot to be a proper Rankine-cycle steam power system. The pump needs to be located after the condenser before the boiler, and would have to have some power input. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rankine_cycle" [Broken]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #12
Thank you for your reply Mech_Engineer. How about 4-stroke spark ignition gas engines. I mean they get the power from the battery to the ignition coil and to the rotor which distributes the spark into the cylinder which runs the engine; and the engine runs the alternator which recharges the battery. Why can't this be possible in steam engines. I really appreciate your input. Thanks again.
 
  • #13
david_india said:
Thank you for your reply Mech_Engineer. How about 4-stroke spark ignition gas engines. I mean they get the power from the battery to the ignition coil and to the rotor which distributes the spark into the cylinder which runs the engine; and the engine runs the alternator which recharges the battery. Why can't this be possible in steam engines. I really appreciate your input. Thanks again.

A 4-stroke gas engine gets all of its energy from the gasoline it is burning (and is only about 20% efficient in extracting that energy). There is no external energy input in the diagram you provided, so the only energy in the system is stored in the battery. If you want the engine to run continuously, you need to power the burner with an external energy source, such as burning a fuel.
 
  • #14
Thanks Mech_Engineer!
 
  • #15
Question:

Can the exhaust steam be used to recharge the battery?
 

1. What is a novel steam engine and how does it work?

A novel steam engine is a type of engine that uses steam to generate power. It works by heating water to create steam, which then expands and moves through a series of pistons and cylinders to produce mechanical energy. This energy can then be used to power an airplane.

2. How is a novel steam engine different from traditional jet engines?

A novel steam engine is different from traditional jet engines in several ways. Firstly, it uses steam instead of burning fuel to generate power. Additionally, it has a simpler design and fewer moving parts, making it more efficient and less prone to mechanical failures. It also produces less noise and pollution compared to jet engines.

3. What are the potential benefits of using a novel steam engine in airplanes?

There are several potential benefits of using a novel steam engine in airplanes. Firstly, it could reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option. It could also potentially reduce operating costs for airlines due to its simpler design and lower fuel consumption. Additionally, it could potentially provide more power and longer flight times compared to traditional jet engines.

4. Are there any challenges or limitations to using a novel steam engine in airplanes?

While a novel steam engine has many potential benefits, there are also some challenges and limitations to consider. One of the main challenges is the weight and size of the engine, which could affect the overall weight and balance of the airplane. Additionally, the use of steam could also pose safety concerns and require additional infrastructure and training for maintenance and operation.

5. Is the use of a novel steam engine in airplanes currently being explored or implemented?

Yes, the use of a novel steam engine in airplanes is currently being explored and even implemented in some cases. Several companies and research teams are working on developing and testing novel steam engine prototypes for commercial use. However, it may still be some time before we see widespread adoption of this technology in the aviation industry.

Similar threads

Replies
25
Views
2K
  • General Engineering
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
26
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
1K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
779
  • General Engineering
Replies
10
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • General Engineering
Replies
32
Views
3K
Back
Top