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Re: Re: Re: Why did steam tractors die out
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Posted by G Taylor on February 17, 2003 at 09:40:52 from (64.10.143.246):
In Reply to: Re: Re: Why did steam tractors die out posted by Bob M on February 17, 2003 at 08:26:41:
The figures I've seen are about 25-35% efficiency for a gasoline engine 30 to 40% for a diesel. A low pressure saturated steam nuclear plant with 30-33% and a advanced candu 700x with 40-45%. The latest combined cycle gas turbines and gas or oil "conventional" power plants can exceed the 50% efficiency mark. The steam engine and locomotive engines are way low because they don't recover condensate heat, the condensate it's self and the relatively small size of the machine.
My gas turbine generator struggles to make 20-25% efficiency due to it's small size and single stage axial flow design with a limited expansion ratio. Trade off for small size, light weight and simple design.
The main problem is the energy transport medium/conversion. A full 33% of the initial energy input goes out the condensers to cool the steam back to liquid. We also loose in the intermediate cycles turning heat into pressurized steam, converting pressurized steam into shaft torque and on a generator electrical losses if used.
Room temp super conductors would help.Add to this energy to run boiler feed pumps, condensate extraction pumps,condenser pumps, air blowers in thermal and heat transport pumps with nuclear.
Tough to beat a well built turbo diesel matched to it's application running at steady state at or near full rated power.Plus the price, simplicity, ease to operate and compact size/weight per HP.
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