Research Project - Replacing diesel engines... PLEASE HELP

Can these engines be maintained by the driver, or are we talking highly specialized technicians? That would be a serious concern for owner-operators. On that note, how extensive would the training for the existing diesel tech's be. Another thing to consider is infrastructure. Most gasoline pumps are inaccessible to a 70 foot long vehicle.


Side note: my sister graduated from UNH in '03 it's a good school and good luck with the project.

 

Gas turbine engines are nothing new..... they've been around for decades..... If there was any real possibility that turbines would replace diesels, it would have happened a long, long time ago.

If you do an internet search, you'll find plenty of info on them. The latest "headline" grabber is TTE, inc., but I think that all their "HYPE" is geared towards obtaining research money, rather than any real attempt to go to market with a viable product.

After "decades" of research, you would've thought that someone would have brought the technology to market by now.

"Smoke and mirrors" I tell ya.......... "Smoke and mirrors".

 

Turbines are definitely simplier than conventional engines, but are they really more efficient?

We need to really research this area, then report back.

 

There's been decades of research...... What's to research?

Like I said..... If turbine engines were a realistic alternative to diesel engines, it would have happened a long time ago.

 

Diesel engines require very little service in normal operation. The oil and oil and fuel filters changed every 30k miles, about 4 times a year. It seems to me that lubrication for a turbine would run about the same.

I've seen a big marine diesel being run on a slurry of oil and powered coal. I've read of one fleet in California (in the 90's) that was fueled by ethanol. There are diesels that a designed to be run on natural gas. And who knows what kind of junk homebrewers of biodiesel have run thru their engines.

I am interested in the lowest cost per mile. If a turbine can deliver it, I will buy into it. I think that a turbine is not the answer.

Ken

 

Freightliner had one back in the 60's and it never became a popular alternative. The gas turbine big truck was tried and failed.

 

You would be better off checking out the ATA (American Trucking Assc)
and probing around their site. You are talking end users here and as I can point out the seats a lot of us are tortured with everyday that what the end user wants or uses is of little consequence to the big byers that influence the manufacturers.
http://www.truckline.com/AdvIssues/engineering/Pages/default.aspx

 

There was a big article about a Mack with a turbine engine in it in the late 70's. This truck was ran with loads, and a complete summary of the whole test process was recounted.

The best I can remember it ran alright, but the efficency and upkeep were a major drawback.

 

What I don't understand is how a turbine would be more efficient than a reciprocating engine. They are more efficient in aircraft, but only at higher altitudes where the air is thinner and produces less drag.