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A hundred years ago, steam-driven cars were practical, but disappeared because of certain disadvantages. Might it be possible to rethink these shortcomings, and make steam a practical means of power again? Perhaps for rail, if not for highway use.
I don't see it being a realistic alternative. It takes a lot of energy to make steam. and it wouldn't be too practical in a car.
What kind of fuel would you use to boil the water? That steam would then have to turn an engine or turbine. Why have that extra process in there?
For rail or ships, though it could work If you're using a high energy fuel. They have nuclear-powered subs (reactor makes steam, steam powers engines). And I think a nuclear powered train would be pretty cool, but there'd be obvious concerns about terrorists and stuff like that.
A hundred years ago, steam-driven cars were practical, but disappeared because of certain disadvantages. Might it be possible to rethink these shortcomings, and make steam a practical means of power again? Perhaps for rail, if not for highway use.
I cannot wait for this to go mainstream if it is succesful. If I live to see steam engines at work on Class 1 railways...or any other class, I'll die happy. lol
The efficiencies aren't there. The best gas engines are now a bit over 30% efficiency, while most steam engines that are small enough to be placed in a car are 10% or less. Fuel storage is also a problem. For a car, gasoline is the fuel that delivers the most usable energy in the smallest amount of space (can't compress a liquid) while a steam engine could theoretically burn just about anything, but that would take up far more space to carry the fuel than a typical gas tank.
the biggest problem isnt the fuel, its the amount of water the system uses. there are systems that only boil a quart or two of water to power smaller displacement engines, ones that are actually powerful enough to move modern compact cars. and with the ability to recycle the water used to make steam, you dont really need a large amount of water overall for around town driving. however it would be like an electric car today, not a lot of range. i do think though that with some creative thinking a steam powered car that is truly practical is a possibility.
Steam has a place. It has been in use for 200 years and still in use. The best application is in stationary applications, mainly power generation. it isn't as good in mobile applications. Hydrogen fuel cells and electric are better options for cars.
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