Design Features and Initial Performance Data on an Automotive Steam Engine Part I - Overall Powerplant Description and Performance

The closed Rankine cycle steam powerplant is currently being reexamined as a low exhaust emission alternative to the gasoline spark ignition engine for use in automobiles and other transportation vehicles. This paper summarizes the progress to date on a program sponsored by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop an automobile Rankine engine employing water as the working fluid and a 4-cyl uniflow reciprocating expander. Design details of the system are presented including a description of major components and packaging arrangements of the system in a six-passenger car.

Results of development testing to date are presented illustrating that the exhaust emissions are well below the current 1977 federal standards and the fully condensing prototype system will be capable of performance and fuel economy substantially equal to current emission-controlled gasoline engine vehicles.