BMW using Steam Power
 

Check out the April version of Roundel if you get it.

Writer Bob Roemer reports that BMW is working on using steam power to increase power and save gas naming it the process or product Turbosteamer. Basically BMW is using the hot exhaust gases to heat up ethanol (water is not used because ethanol has a lower boiling point). The steam created is moved through "an 'expander machine' that has a connecting rod directly linked to the crank-shaft- similar to a steam locomotive- to provide more power to the engine." Their test was on a 1.8 liter engine which added around 10 ft/lbs of torque, and save about 15% on gas consumtion. This process or product probably will not be ready for another ten years.

Pretty nifty idea in my opinion. I just wish that I was out of school already so I could have designed this :wiggle .

The source was of course from April 2006 edition of Roundel, pages 42-43.

:drive2

That's actually really cool! Shame it'll take so long to perfect though. But, you know, in ten years time, we may of already switched off of fossil fuels.......

Dough

True....
The thing is, they were saying that it could be added with little modification to one's car... so I believe it could be an add-on. We will have cars using fossil fuel for a while.

Sounds like a good idea, but who knows what else will be out it ~ 10 years

I believe it will be more of an add-on to older cars... It was saying it could be added with little modification. :dunno

For a bit of entertainment and history of steam and cars, Google "Stanley Steamer"

2006 is the 100th anniversary of Steaming to the land speed record of 127 MPH

Try to imagine going 127 MPH in 1906 :worship