gizmag.co.uk— "BMW?s announcement of the new technology is somewhat of a technological bombshell as it adds yet another form of hybrid automobile ? a turbosteamer."
Dec 14, 2005View in Crawl 4
Sigh.... Oil is NOT running out. 1.2 Trillion barrels and climbing is NOT running out. Please take some time to learn about Abiotic Oil. It's not a fossil fuel.
If they're sucking heat out of the exhaust, then what happens to the catalytic converter? Doesn't it use that heat to burn off unburned residue and whatnot?Otherwise, it's way neat. What happens if you add this to a 'regular' hybrid car? Super-ultra-extremely efficient automobiles?
"...somewhat of a technological bombshell" I doubt it! Basically this is nothing but a combined cycle power plant on a small scale. Power companies and others have using this ideas for decades. Example: Power Co burns natural gas in jet turbines to turn generators. The hot exhaust gas is then collected in a boiler and the resulting steam is used to power a steam turbine which turns another generator. I doubt this will ever get off the ground for cars as the water used to make steam has a very specific make up to prevent corrosion and other problems. Tap water is too contaminated to use. The steam subsystem, it would seem to me, would add weight to the car, lowering the efficiency overall.
Wow, so now VW has a car that can keep your beer cool in the glove compartment, and BMW gives you a car that can steam the lobster in your engine compartment...So who's up for the passenger-side 'inflatable companion' instead of an air bag...
culebraDec 14, 2005
yay! I have a bmw, can't wait till they make this!
skwhirlDec 14, 2005
Turbosteamer sounds like something you press your clothes with while staying in a hotel.Nifty idea, tho...
teynurDec 14, 2005
Sigh.... Oil is NOT running out. 1.2 Trillion barrels and climbing is NOT running out. Please take some time to learn about Abiotic Oil. It's not a fossil fuel.
rhinobirdDec 14, 2005
If they're sucking heat out of the exhaust, then what happens to the catalytic converter? Doesn't it use that heat to burn off unburned residue and whatnot?Otherwise, it's way neat. What happens if you add this to a 'regular' hybrid car? Super-ultra-extremely efficient automobiles?
mooniniteDec 14, 2005
This is one of many reasons why a BMW is my next vehicle.
xeetonDec 14, 2005
So my 330 gets 32 instead of 28 mpg?! ...is that worth it?
xjonxDec 15, 2005
"...somewhat of a technological bombshell" I doubt it! Basically this is nothing but a combined cycle power plant on a small scale. Power companies and others have using this ideas for decades. Example: Power Co burns natural gas in jet turbines to turn generators. The hot exhaust gas is then collected in a boiler and the resulting steam is used to power a steam turbine which turns another generator. I doubt this will ever get off the ground for cars as the water used to make steam has a very specific make up to prevent corrosion and other problems. Tap water is too contaminated to use. The steam subsystem, it would seem to me, would add weight to the car, lowering the efficiency overall.
monkeymonkDec 15, 2005
Wow, so now VW has a car that can keep your beer cool in the glove compartment, and BMW gives you a car that can steam the lobster in your engine compartment...So who's up for the passenger-side 'inflatable companion' instead of an air bag...