“Imagine an invention that offers a clean burning, highly efficient, non-polluting, lightweight, compact, mixed multi-fuel alternative to current diesel and gasoline powered internal combustion engines. Picture a future in which we are less dependent upon oil. Experience an environment in which the air we breathe is ‘scrubbed’ and contaminating particles are removed by incineration in a motor that cleans the air instead of polluting it. Realize that such engines exist and are already running.”
That paragraph certainly caught my attention when I first read it, since it sounds like these engines might one day be the solution to all of our country’s energy problems.
First, some disclaimers! I need to tell you that these were the opening words of promotional material describing new engine technology still under development, but I did see a non-operational prototype. Second, while I commonly write about some aspect of EPA’s SmartWay Partnership here, this is not about a participant in the program, although that might change as the developer comes closer to delivering product for the highway market. Finally, I don’t pretend to understand all the technology associated with this new engine, but will do my best to present some interesting and relevant material.
I recently had the opportunity to attend SAE’s annual commercial vehicle meeting and there visited Cyclone Power Technologies’ booth where I was introduced to the Cyclone engine. While this was my first exposure to the new design, I learned it’s been known around various engineering circles for several years and has attracted some attention. In 2006, the developer received a Tech Award from the SAE’s publication, Automotive Engineering International, at the SAE World Congress in Detroit.
The Cyclone is an external combustion steam engine capable of burning almost any kind of fuel.
In fact, the company claims it has used dried orange peels to fuel an engine. The heat from combustion heats de-ionized water to super-critical pressures and super-heated temperatures. This is actually proven technology currently used in high-efficiency electrical generating plants. Cyclone Power Technologies is bringing the concept down to sizes that can be used in vehicles.
Of particular interest in this time of growing environmental concerns is the cleanliness of the exhaust stream. Henry Schoell, the engine’s inventor, says, “The external combustion Cyclone engine burns fuel at very low pressures –– just a few inches of water, not hundreds of pounds per square inch –– and the long residence time of any fuel particle in the burner means complete and clean combustion. It does not produce any unburned hydrocarbons or CO, and when using pure bio-fuel, little CO2 is produced. The engine produces almost no CO or NOx because it burns at temperatures below 2,300 degrees F at atmospheric pressure.”
The design of the engine results in a high horsepower-to-weight ratio compared to internal combustion engines. According to Cyclone Power Technologies, it can develop about three horsepower-per-cubic-inch of displacement, whereas a gasoline engine is limited to approximately one horsepower-per-1.5 cubic-inches of displacement.
The company is currently testing a range of Cyclone engine families:
3-HP engines for lawn mowers; 18-HP engines for portable and standby power generation; 100-HP engines for industrial generators, automobiles, etc. and 330-HP engines for trucks, busses and other vehicles. It plans to have some of these in consumer use in 2010.
While Cyclone Power Technologies is not yet a member on the SmartWay Partnership, there can be little doubt that participation will come as its product matures. The goals of each are essentially the same –– clean, efficient power generation. For more information about the company go to www.cyclonepower.com.