Re: The Little Engine
- From: Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 10:25:39 +0100
Pluto wrote:
The Little Engine That Could
MIT researchers are developing a half-sized gasoline engine that performs like a
full-sized engine but offers fuel efficiency approaching that of today's hybrid engine
system--at a far lower cost. The key is carefully controlled injection of ethanol
directly into the engine's cylinders when additional power is required from the engine.
Like GDI !
These small engines could be on the market within five years, and consumers should find
them appealing: By spending about an extra $1,000 and adding a couple of gallons of
ethanol every few months, they will have an engine that can go as much as 30 percent
farther on a gallon of fuel than an ordinary engine. If all of today's cars had the new
engine, current U.S. gasoline consumption of 140 billion gallons per year would drop by
more than 30 billion gallons. Moreover, the little engine provides high performance
without the use of high-octane gasoline.
Ethanol of course is high octane.
There's a heck of a lot that can be done to improve the ICE yet. The requirement to use
catalysts virtually stopped research into lean burn engines due to their oxidation products
but it's coming back online now. Expect to see ICE vehicles capable of 40% efficiency in the
next decade or two.
Graham
.
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- From: Pluto
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