Cyclone Power Technologies engine runs on waste heat
Cyclone Power Technologies has introduced a new engine which they say runs on waste heat. Previously, engines from Cyclone Power utilized external combustion. The Waste Heat Engine (WHE) is capable of running on any heat source and is said to work at fairly low temperatures. Possible sources of heat include the sun, without the use of solar cells, and the heat from a running engine or exhaust. The engine appears similar to a radial engine at first glance, but is completely different in operation. Displacing about 155 cubic inches, the twelve cylinder engine isn't particularly small for the twenty horsepower that it is said to produce. Because of these dimensions, we're not expecting to see this engine under the hood of a vehicle already equipped with an internal combustion engine. For applications where space isn't really an issue, though, the WHE could potentially increase the efficiency of the overall power unit. See a video of the engine running and an interview here.[Source: Cyclone Power Technologies via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
meme 2:33PM (6/05/2008)
Just so people know, Carnot's Law is an inescapable consequence of physics and no heat engine can avoid it. Which means that anything that runs on waste heat is fundamentally limited to low efficiencies.
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steve.hargreaves 10:01PM (7/29/2009)
See NEW waste heat engine OTELLO & MOREAMPS at www.internationalinnovations.com.au
Using jus+72C heat can produce 47bar pressure and desirable flow rate for turning a Fluid Motor and make clean electricity. A coal fired power station is 34% efficient and +120C waste heat out the stacks can connect a Heat Exchanger accross to OTELLO and convert a percentage of this waste heat energy into Additional Clean Electricity with 24% efficiency is claimed from German manufacturer at www.big-biogas.de
What does CARNOT say about that?
Use 31C heat and CO2 produces 75bar pressure in OTELLO or MOREAMPS?
Use 132C heat and NH3 produces 112bar pressure?
Otello & Moreamps use standard parts from companies like OLAER & HONEYWELL international.
Steve Hargreaves / Chairman & CEO for International Innovations Limited (IIL) www.internationalinnovations.com.au
Dagny McKinley 2:46PM (6/05/2008)
Interesting concept. I doubt it will be very long before this engine is at a manageable size for cars.
Dagny McKinley
www.onnotextiles.com
organic apparel
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Lad 2:33PM (6/05/2008)
Any time you can recover energy from an ICE and use it, it makes sense because ICEs usually run no better than 30% at best.
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Tim 2:36PM (6/05/2008)
Thermal solar is MUCH less expensive and much MORE efficient than PV so using it to power this type of engine should also be cheaper and more efficient. The big questions are this engine's initial cost, operating lifespan and maintenance when compared to solid state design of solar PV.
Then again, there are all those many, many waste heat applications.
Imagine a little one of these on the exhaust of the Volt's range-extender with a little generator of its own to increase its thermal efficiency. Imagine using the Cyclone engine for the range-extender generator with one of these to recapture the last bit of waste heat energy for a super high efficiency, clean, multi-fuel range-extender generator.
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Tim 2:43PM (6/05/2008)
meme- "low" and "high" are subjective as something can always be "lower" or "higher" than the other thing. In this case we are speaking of "lower" waste due to "higher" efficiency than current designs. In other words… improvement.
Improvement is good. Perfection is the goal of a journey without end.
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paulwesterberg 2:44PM (6/05/2008)
Is it more efficient than existing Stirling engines?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine
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Scott 7:15PM (6/05/2008)
RE:paulwesterberg
I don't know about side-by-side efficiency ratings but the Stirling engine is nearly 200 yrs old and still struggles to do to be more than a museum piece or science project.
Sterling Energy Systems is trying to mass-produce them and still can't get one to work for 2 days in a row without breaking down.
Go to the 4/17/08 entry at
http://kdfuller.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html
Perhaps Stirling needs to step aside and let Cyclone Power take a shot.
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stevefazek 5:57PM (6/05/2008)
I cant see this installed on cars. SImply because of the size and weight of this. On Ships,trains, maybe a large semi
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Kevin Nugent 9:22PM (6/05/2008)
As others have said that is an interesting concept and could become mainstream at best . If they coudl just figure out how to directly apply that power to the wheels , much like a turbo charger then they would have a real winner
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Steve 11:02AM (6/06/2008)
In response to the comments about this being applied to automobiles: This engine is an efficiency booster to the existing cyclone External Combustion Engine which can be made for almost any size application, from lawnmowers to conventional automobiles to heavy construction vehicles. What the Waste Heat Engine does is use recovered waste heat. It can be applied as a stand alone for small applications, or in tandem with a larger engine/heat source to increase efficiency.
I am a big believer in this company. The primary objective is not to attempt to "replace" oil/gas as a primary energy source. But to improve efficiency and reduce overall cost of operation and ownership, while providing a simple path to advanced renewable energy sources as the technology evolves, without a need additional capital expense (such as for fuel conversion and/or additives). I think this is a powerful story.
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Tom 10:00AM (6/09/2008)
Couldn't this be used in conjunction with an inexpensive Fresnel lens (for the heat source) to help power a home?
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Savitaipale 3:48AM (1/30/2009)
Oh please! Thermodynamics have been around for quite some time now. There's no miracles left to be found.
1. Their motors use rankine cycle as do most worlds power plants. So
2. it's a closed loop steam engine. Heat water to make steam that moves pistons/spins turbine. Condense vapour back down to water again.
3. Ever seen those massive cooling towers at power plants? Yes, condensing is really space consuming affair if your surrounding cooling medium is outside air.
4. All external heat engines are really slow to throttle up or down, so they are not suitable for traction engines.
5. It's just an other hoax.
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MarkG 11:42AM (2/01/2009)
The WHE (Waste Heat Engine) should be appreciated for its simplicity and low cost. Sure, the thermal efficiency of the system is comparatively low. But this is not relevant. The matter at hand is whether or not the gains outweigh the costs. There are many profitable settings for this system... all that was needed is a cost-effective means to tap these otherwise wasted sources of energy.
The Cyclone condenser is an innovative design that requires a minimal volume by using centrifugal force generated from the vertical shaft to provide for "compressive condensation" which raises the saturation temperature of the exhaust steam for more efficient heat transfer and steam condensation. The WHE is also self-starting (fully automatic). Just add heat to the steam generator, and the WHE takes off.
The WHE requires no oil lubrication. It is entirely water lubricated.
Many sources of heat that are otherwise wasted could use the WHE to produce usable power profitably. Some energy sources include the exhaust from large stationary generators and long-haul trucks, biomass combustion, solar power, geothermal heat, and heat from industrial processes.
The WHE system also converts the heat to a form that is more convenient for cogenerating applications. A blower fan provided for the condenser provides heated air that may be used directly in space heating, and steam from the WHE exhaust is a very useful medium in transferring heat for many applications.