As someone who was involved in research involving micro turbines for distributed power, I can fully agree with what Grant is saying.
Back in my Kohler days we looked closely at small gas turbines for power generation, and so many of the requirements were beyond the scope of realistic (economic) operation the project never moved forward. They continue to pursue this in the industry, but I don't ever see it being viable on a large scale. Dan > On Sep 11, 2015, at 12:28 PM, G Mann via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> > wrote: > > Turbine engine may make sense on paper, but in reality, there is no cheap > turbine engine. > > Having several decades of experience in the manufacture, sale, and use of > turbine engines, including APU [aux power unit] systems, my experience > tells me the application is not practical for automotive use.. > > Expensive to build due to the high speed of operation and complicated > compressor and turbine wheel required to make a turbine engine, of any size. > Materials needed to withstand both temperature and speed of rotational > components are expensive. A set of turbine wheels for a small APU will run > you in the range of $20,000. > > Couple with that, the start sequence is much more involved than "just > turning the key". If air flow and fuel management are not correct, you will > have a hot start and melt down of the turbine components. The same in > reverse for shut down sequence. > > Complicated operation requirements would not bode well to the general > public, who are virtually incapable of pumping their own gas or checking > tire pressure. > > Just my thoughts, your mileage may vary. > > On Fri, Sep 11, 2015 at 8:34 AM, Craig via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> > wrote: > >> On Thu, 10 Sep 2015 21:33:00 -0700 Jim Cathey via Mercedes >> <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >> >>> The strength of a diesel is at partial throttle, which is >>> not necessary in a series hybrid. I think the _best_ series >>> hybrid would be a small turbine engine. Turbines, gas, >>> and diesels are all approximately equally efficient at >>> full throttle. Turbines suck at throttle response. That >>> is not necessary in a battery charger in a series hybrid. >>> So, fixed-speed running in its sweet spot, that's a turbine. >>> >>> A turbine would be really small, and doesn't need a liquid >>> cooling system. (Just a little oil cooler.) At fixed RPM >>> you could really quiet it as well. Co-gen for cabin heat >>> would also be nice. >> >> Tell me more! >> >> What kind of fuel efficiency would one expect? >> >> What kind of turbine would one use? >> >> Any idea where to buy one? >> >> How would one gear it down to useful RPM? >> >> >> Craig >> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
