Query for engineering types

[jeriendhal]

How difficult would it be to make a combustion engine using Victorian/Edwardian era matierials that could use natural gas as a fuel? And how would it rate in efficiency when compared to gasoline or ethanol?

Comments

[sraun]

Internal or external combustion?

Make a steam engine of some type that could use natural gas as fuel wouldn't be all that difficult. IIRC, the problem would be supply - I'm not certain their tech would be up to liquefying natural gas, and that's the only way you get an energy density comparable to gasoline or ethanol. If it's for a non-mobile engine with a big tank available, no problem - if you found a mine with the right kind of gas, you might be able to drive the pump with the gas from the mine.

[selenite.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I don't think you could manage the sealing or compression needed to have a decent storage capacity on a vehicle. You'd probably manage to get good efficiency on "useful work/stored energy of fuel" but the "power produced/weight of propulsion system" efficiency would suck. There might be some workarounds. If you've got cryogens on board anyway that would let you keep the natural gas liquified without much extra overhead.

What are you trying to do?

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to come up with an alternate power source for an early model (think pre-ww1) flying machine. In the story I've already established there are small airships availible that use steam engines powered by compressed propane, but I didn't know if that would 'fly' so to speak with a heavier than air craft. I'm just trying to come up with an ecologicaly warm and fuzzy alternative to a gas engine.

Admittedly I could make a plane who's engine is steam powered (link: http://www.airandspacemagazine.com/ASM/Mag/Supp/AM06/stem.html ) but that might seem a bit silly.

[selenite.livejournal.com]

I think the ecological impact would be close to the same either way. Slightly smaller hole in the ground, slightly fewer unburnt hydrocarbons emitted, but you're still burning the same amount of carbon and hydrogen to get the energy.

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Drat. Ah well, may as well make it good old gasoline. Or I might make it alcohol, even though it has a lower energy release IIRC.

Actually if I go the alcohol route, I'll probably revise the earlier chapter on the airship to reflect that.