Top Gear - Jaguar Gas Turbine/Electric car
Discussion
Hi all,
This car facinates me re it's propulsion and, at least according to the specifications given (and bearing in mind it doesn't actually work) is proper performance but without the inherent problems facing battery powered cars at the moment (i.e. hours of charging, limited range etc).
But seeing as aircraft engines are (arguably) only efficient in terms of emissions per passenger when the plane can transport several hundred at once...do smaller turbine engines where the passenger load will be single figures stack up?
As an aside, can you really run a gas turbine engine on diesel fuel??
J.
This car facinates me re it's propulsion and, at least according to the specifications given (and bearing in mind it doesn't actually work) is proper performance but without the inherent problems facing battery powered cars at the moment (i.e. hours of charging, limited range etc).
But seeing as aircraft engines are (arguably) only efficient in terms of emissions per passenger when the plane can transport several hundred at once...do smaller turbine engines where the passenger load will be single figures stack up?
As an aside, can you really run a gas turbine engine on diesel fuel??
J.
You see...you should always do some googling before asking questions!! Found these on Wikipedia:
"A number of experiments have been conducted with gas turbine powered automobiles, the largest by Chrysler.[17][18] More recently, there has been some interest in the use of turbine engines for hybrid electric cars. For instance, a consortium led by micro gas turbine company Bladon Jets has secured investment from the Technology Strategy Board to develop an Ultra Lightweight Range Extender (ULRE) for next generation electric vehicles. The objective of the consortium, which includes luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover and leading electrical machine company SR Drives, is to produce the world’s first commercially viable - and environmentally friendly - gas turbine generator designed specifically for automotive applications."
And:
"They accept most commercial fuels, such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, diesel, and kerosene as well as renewable fuels such as E85, biodiesel and biogas."
Facinating!
J.
"A number of experiments have been conducted with gas turbine powered automobiles, the largest by Chrysler.[17][18] More recently, there has been some interest in the use of turbine engines for hybrid electric cars. For instance, a consortium led by micro gas turbine company Bladon Jets has secured investment from the Technology Strategy Board to develop an Ultra Lightweight Range Extender (ULRE) for next generation electric vehicles. The objective of the consortium, which includes luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover and leading electrical machine company SR Drives, is to produce the world’s first commercially viable - and environmentally friendly - gas turbine generator designed specifically for automotive applications."
And:
"They accept most commercial fuels, such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, diesel, and kerosene as well as renewable fuels such as E85, biodiesel and biogas."
Facinating!
J.
Because gas turbines work on continuous ignition they aren't concerned about fuel detonation/pre-ignition etc, so any liquid fuel will do.
Gas turbine powered cars failed due to poor efficiency operating at the range of speeds required for road use and poor throttle response. Having the electric motors provide the drive allow the turbines to operate at constant speed when they are efficient and throttle response isn't an issue.
Another benefit (I believe) is that they are even more compact than equivalent power wankel engines.
Gas turbine powered cars failed due to poor efficiency operating at the range of speeds required for road use and poor throttle response. Having the electric motors provide the drive allow the turbines to operate at constant speed when they are efficient and throttle response isn't an issue.
Another benefit (I believe) is that they are even more compact than equivalent power wankel engines.
jezzaaa said:
But seeing as aircraft engines are (arguably) only efficient in terms of emissions per passenger when the plane can transport several hundred at once...do smaller turbine engines where the passenger load will be single figures stack up?
It is a genius concept for two reasons, firstly, as Niva described, the setup allows the turbine to function purley as a dedicated on board mini power station, only concerned with operating at its most efficient speeds, whilst the battery pack and electric motors remove the issue of turbine lag and transient response.Secondly, Bladon Jets have apparently figured out how to manufacture an axial flow turbine assembly small enough to perform such a function - a certain gas turbine manufacturer apparently said 'it couldn't be done' when they were approached with the concept!
Scuffers said:
suspect you would struggle with drive-by noise regs though....
It is supposedly very quiet when loaded up with an alternator. I'd imagine the biggest challenge will be heat rejection and cost per vehicle.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff