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[crazyjoetavola]

Maybe the Stirling engine is the way forward? I'd never heard of it before, but it looks mighty interesting:

http://alfin2100.blogspot.com/search/label/Dean%20Kamen

"A Stirling can run on just about anything that creates heat, from gasoline, kerosene, and ethanol, to natural gas, propane, hydrogen, and, yes, the methane given off by animal manure."

 

It looks more than interesting Nick, I would liked to have seen it running in the vehicle however :-/

It does show that research is the dominant force in any desire for change and such research, should not be bound to the contemporary disipline.

The real worth of this technology, if it is indeed practical, lies with the ability of the individual to generate his/her own energy from an easliy powered engine, independent of the national grid

That could solve many of the very problems knocking on each and every door at the moment

I fear that we all must begin to realise that the only way we can be sure of surviving with any degree of reason, is that we must be in a position to help ourselves   The state seems to be unwilling or incapable of doing it

[Entwood]

I believe, but could be wrong, that the Stirling engine was designed for applications that run continuously at the about the same speed Like pumps, generators etc ??

I don't see it being able to accelerate/decelerate quickly enough to be useable as a motive engine... 

[Nickbat]

I believe, but could be wrong, that the Stirling engine was designed for applications that run continuously at the about the same speed Like pumps, generators etc ??

I don't see it being able to accelerate/decelerate quickly enough to be useable as a motive engine... 

I agree that the Stirling has limitations and is probably best used as part of a hybrid package. This chap, Dean Kamen, has built one and I think the technology looks very promising. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3353906/Dean-Kamen-part-man-part-machine.html

[crazyjoetavola]

I agree that the Stirling has limitations and is probably best used as part of a hybrid package. This chap, Dean Kamen, has built one and I think the technology looks very promising. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3353906/Dean-Kamen-part-man-part-machine.html

 in theory it can turn any source of heat into electricity, in silence and with 100 per cent efficiency


This is where the potential problem rests Nick - the theoretical nature of the engine efficiency.  There's no point in being able to use a range of very different fuels, irrespective of how common or abundant, if you need to fuel up every 100 miles, say


Stirling engine's not hooked up. Which really pisses me off.'

Does this indicate an underlying problem with the practical nature of the device?


It might fail, but you've got to try. Look at the state of the world,' he says. 'It's a mess. What if we can fix it?'

There's the rub, how easy or financially reasonable  is it going to be to seek an answer.  This is why I've said that the hybrid take on this is simply a step on the way.  In the form of the Prius it's seems to at least a practical one   I also echo your hope Nick and eagerly await real world trials of this interesting technology

Highlights courtesy of Daily Telegraph

[Entwood]

I believe, but could be wrong, that the Stirling engine was designed for applications that run continuously at the about the same speed Like pumps, generators etc ??

I don't see it being able to accelerate/decelerate quickly enough to be useable as a motive engine... 

I agree that the Stirling has limitations and is probably best used as part of a hybrid package. This chap, Dean Kamen, has built one and I think the technology looks very promising. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3353906/Dean-Kamen-part-man-part-machine.html

That is interesting .. using the Stirling to drive a generator [constant speed] to charge the batteries that drive the motors [variable speed] .... I wonder what efficiency he gets that way, and what fuel the Stirling is running on..

[Omega man 2]

I believe, but could be wrong, that the Stirling engine was designed for applications that run continuously at the about the same speed Like pumps, generators etc ??

I don't see it being able to accelerate/decelerate quickly enough to be useable as a motive engine... 

I agree that the Stirling has limitations and is probably best used as part of a hybrid package. This chap, Dean Kamen, has built one and I think the technology looks very promising. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3353906/Dean-Kamen-part-man-part-machine.html

That is interesting .. using the Stirling to drive a generator [constant speed] to charge the batteries that drive the motors [variable speed] .... I wonder what efficiency he gets that way, and what fuel the Stirling is running on..

A sort of diesal electric car. Just use normal batteries to start and run the electrics. Don't bother with batteries to move the car, there just an unecessary expense.

[crazyjoetavola]

I believe, but could be wrong, that the Stirling engine was designed for applications that run continuously at the about the same speed Like pumps, generators etc ??

I don't see it being able to accelerate/decelerate quickly enough to be useable as a motive engine... 

I agree that the Stirling has limitations and is probably best used as part of a hybrid package. This chap, Dean Kamen, has built one and I think the technology looks very promising. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3353906/Dean-Kamen-part-man-part-machine.html

That is interesting .. using the Stirling to drive a generator [constant speed] to charge the batteries that drive the motors [variable speed] .... I wonder what efficiency he gets that way, and what fuel the Stirling is running on..

The $64K question Entwood

[Martin_1962]

I believe, but could be wrong, that the Stirling engine was designed for applications that run continuously at the about the same speed Like pumps, generators etc ??

I don't see it being able to accelerate/decelerate quickly enough to be useable as a motive engine... 

I agree that the Stirling has limitations and is probably best used as part of a hybrid package. This chap, Dean Kamen, has built one and I think the technology looks very promising. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3353906/Dean-Kamen-part-man-part-machine.html

That is interesting .. using the Stirling to drive a generator [constant speed] to charge the batteries that drive the motors [variable speed] .... I wonder what efficiency he gets that way, and what fuel the Stirling is running on..

A sort of diesal electric car. Just use normal batteries to start and run the electrics. Don't bother with batteries to move the car, there just an unecessary expense.

Mine is the one with twin Napier D18-25s

[crazyjoetavola]

I believe, but could be wrong, that the Stirling engine was designed for applications that run continuously at the about the same speed Like pumps, generators etc ??

I don't see it being able to accelerate/decelerate quickly enough to be useable as a motive engine... 

I agree that the Stirling has limitations and is probably best used as part of a hybrid package. This chap, Dean Kamen, has built one and I think the technology looks very promising. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3353906/Dean-Kamen-part-man-part-machine.html

That is interesting .. using the Stirling to drive a generator [constant speed] to charge the batteries that drive the motors [variable speed] .... I wonder what efficiency he gets that way, and what fuel the Stirling is running on..

A sort of diesal electric car. Just use normal batteries to start and run the electrics. Don't bother with batteries to move the car, there just an unecessary expense.

Mine is the one with twin Napier D18-25s

Martin, can I ask what that is (sorry for being thick)

[Nickbat]

I don't know either, Zulu, but I'd guess it has a train connection! 

[Martin_1962]

You are all on about Diesel Electric and they are the power units on the UKs most powerful loco

[Nickbat]

You are all on about Diesel Electric and they are the power units on the UKs most powerful loco

Told you so, Zulu! 

Piccie please, Martin? 

[Martin_1962]

http://www.thedps.co.uk/

[Nickbat]

http://www.thedps.co.uk/

Thanks, Martin! I remember them well.

[crazyjoetavola]

You are all on about Diesel Electric and they are the power units on the UKs most powerful loco

Told you so, Zulu! 

Piccie please, Martin? 

I bow to your expansive knowledge Nick 8-)