German Car Zone

BMW researchers use engine heat to produce steam power

Munich, Germany – BMW Group reports that its Research and Engineering team has succeeded in harnessing engine heat to increase power and reduce fuel consumption. The innovative assistance drive, combined with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, reduced fuel consumption by up to 15 per cent and generated 13.4 more horsepower in tests. The extra energy was derived exclusively from waste heat present in exhaust gases and cooling water.

The project, known as the Turbosteamer, works on the principle of the steam engine. Fluid is heated to form steam in two circuits, which is used to power the engine. The primary energy supplier is a high-temperature circuit which uses exhaust heat from the engine as an energy source, via heat exchangers. More than 80 per cent of the heat energy contained in the exhaust gases is recycled. The steam is then conducted directly into an expansion unit, linked to the engine's crankshaft. Most of the remaining residual heat is absorbed by the engine's cooling system, which acts as the Turbosteamer's second energy supply.

The components of the new system have been designed to be installed in existing model series, with tests showing that a number of sample packages will fit into a car such as the BMW 3 Series. Researchers are focusing on making the components smaller and simpler; BMW forecasts that the system may be ready for volume production within ten years.

Source: http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/051208-1.htm

"BMW forecasts that the system may be ready for volume production within ten years."

well thats useful!!!! lol....everything will be fuel cell then

I love these kinds of new technology. I think that's the reason why I wanted to become an engineer in the first place.

brilliant...thats all i have to say

Do you honestly think that everything will be fuel cell by then?

10 years does sound a bit long though.

well why not, daimler chrysler have been testing them for ages, they say something like 2010 or 2012 for mass production, now thats 5-7 years....
it makes no sense to make somethig that improves fuel consumption by 15% for within 10 years?

Dont think so. The energy used to keep hydrogen in a cooled state is much greater than teh energy saved. So you end up using more electrical energy and end up burning more fossil fuels etc etc.

This is an awsome idea. Not letting the heat from the engine go away. Its actually smarter than a hybrid because the energy to produce those cars are very great. Very smart. BMW is always leading the way on innovation. You can quote me on that.

NOW TIME FOR SOME TRIG HW. yay.

"The energy used to keep hydrogen in a cooled state is much greater than teh energy saved. So you end up using more electrical energy and end up burning more fossil fuels etc etc."

kk so all the car makers are wasting their time making fuel cells no....the electrical energy to keep the hydorgen cool will come from renewable sources also....ever thought of that, even nuclear power, way cleaner than fossil fuels


"BMW is always leading the way on innovation"

no offense but that has to be the funniest thing i have heard for days, dont you pay attention to other compaines innovations, i suggest you do, for every innovation bmw have made MB have made 2, take for example the w220 vs the 7 series, which one had most innovations, take fuel cells, who do you think has more fuel cells than any other company....it goes on but i cant be bothered keep writing

I don't think you understand... to make the hydrogen that these car needs takes a huge amount of energy, which is why fuel cell cars doesn't mean that we are clear cut from f-ing up our environment.
Nuclear energy to keep hydrogen cool? What?

By the way, even if Benz says that fuel cell cars will be in production by 2010, it doesn't mean that every car in the world is going to be mostly fuel cell. Plus even if it goes into production, you need stations that will have hydrogen fuel... that, will not be ready available by 2010 all over the world I think.