WhiteBlue wrote:Turbo engines are used in aircraft due to their superior power/weight ratio. In aircraft weight has to be supported by power expenditure. This isn't true for cars and ships. Power stations use steam and gas turbines in combined cycles which is a very high weight design but suitable for stationary power generation.
I don't understand what you mean by power expenditure.
The Gas turbine is a superior engine. A steam turbine and it's systems is a whole different machine.
A combined cycle has amazing efficiencies, if i remember up to 70% or more, so you cannot compare that to a piston engine. It is basically a multitude of engines.
Big diesel engines are also used as power stations as well. Those are far heavier and less powerful than an equivalent gas turbine. They are also dirtier.
The advantage with diesel engines is the simplicity and familiarity. The control systems are also simpler.
Gas turbines and steam turbines are used in ships of very large size than require the right power density. Gas turbine can also use many fuels.
No matter how you want to word it. Any engine that weights 138lb and can put out 720hp is a feasible consideration. An F1 car is very closely related to an air craft, they both have the same needs, high power to weight ratio.
My only major concern with gas turbines would be safety and technical support.
But as i said KERS easily compensates for any of the draw backs associated with a gas turbine.
I'm for the L4 for 2013, but in the back of my mind a natural gas turbine coupled with KERS and HERS is an interesting solution if we are thinking about efficiency and emissions.
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