BMW's "Turbosteamer" concept is a steam-powered auxiliary drive system that uses waste heat from a gasoline engine's exhaust and cooling system to generate steam, boosting power and improving fuel efficiency by up to 15%.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Concept:
The Turbosteamer is a hybrid system that leverages the heat from a car's exhaust and cooling system to power a steam engine, which in turn assists the main gasoline engine.
How it Works:
Waste Heat Recovery: The system recovers heat from the exhaust gases and cooling system using heat exchangers.
Steam Generation: Water is heated to form steam in two circuits: a high-temperature circuit using exhaust heat and a lower-temperature circuit using the engine's cooling system.
Power Generation: The steam is then used to power an expansion unit, which is connected to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, providing additional power and torque.
Benefits:
Increased Efficiency: The Turbosteamer aims to reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%.
Enhanced Performance: The steam engine contributes to increased power and torque.
Sustainability: By utilizing waste heat, the system reduces reliance on traditional energy sources.
Design:
The Turbosteamer is designed to be adaptable to existing BMW model series, meaning it could potentially be integrated into various models.
Status:
While the Turbosteamer was a concept explored by BMW Group Research and Engineering, it's unclear if it has been developed into a production technology.