water injected steam engine

[larryf]

Has anyone heard of an engine where the cylinder is heated externally, say by methane or wood, and water is injected?  I know the amount of water would have to be 1/2600th of the displacement.  It seems this could bypass the need for high pressure steam storage and movement.

[JW]

Yes Ive heard of that type of engine, the following is a Youtube link-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm-XQnbvMKM
http://www.michaeljdixon.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=14&chapter=0

These type of engines are called "hot head engines"

JW

[cr8zy1van]

http://www.flashsteam.com/steam_proj3.htm

This link also has bits of interesting information. Wouldn't a 2 stroke be better?

[bj]

It is interesting.  Lots of tweaks come to mind, head design to  maximize heat transfer, insulation to minimize heat loss and on and on.
It would be a fun tinker, but no extra time in the near future.  One thing came to mind though, a small pre-chamber in the head, at the
hottest spot, for water injection?
Anyway, if you go with it, please post, as it will be interesting.

[ghurd]

I never heard of it... but it sure is a cool idea!
G-

[taylorp035]

Very interesting... now I going to have to do some more calculations for cycle effiency(my homework for the day)... oh joy

[larryf]

Thanks for all the replies.  It was a good idea at the time, but I will not be building a prototype due to lack of funds and/or abillity