Can a Computerized System Improve Performance of Miniature Steam Locomotives?

[Keggyleg]

I will probably biuld something someday when I have finished bitscope low level programming. I have 27 years experience of metrology and know that energy in compared with mechanical work out equals efficiency. I have noted in the past how much better a gasoline engine runs in a fog. Maybe this is the way to go, Maybe an alkahol engine with water in the fuel. You could run an engine on homebrew.!

Cheers and plenty of beers !

 

[Baluncore]

I have noted in the past how much better a gasoline engine runs in a fog.

Fog is a form of water injection. If it improves the performance of an SI engine by preventing knocking, then it indicates that the fuel you are using has too low an octane rating for the CR of your engine. It may also indicate that you are driving too fast in poor visibility.

You need to use a fuel with a slightly higher octane rating. Maybe in an old engine, you can compensate for previous head repairs by installing a thicker head gasket to return the CR to the original specification.

Water injection is an indication of an unresolved problem. There is something about water injection that makes it seem attractive. Maybe it is because everyone has the subliminal dream to run their car on water.

 

[Keggyleg]

An intersting artical you might like http://www.enginerunup.com/ with modern day electronics water could be injected even between strokes to cool the engine. A cross between steam and gasoline power.

 

[Baluncore]

A cross between steam and gasoline power.

There is no steam power involved.

This topic is about optimisation of external combustion, steam expansion engines.
That may include the flash generation of steam for expansion in the engine.

The injection of cooling water into IC engines to improve performance is getting well off the topic.