Yes, George, unfortunately, approx ½ of the total energy in our fuel goes out the exhaust  - a turbocharger can capture a very small part of that energy and drive additional air into the engine to which you can additional fuel producing even more heat (and some additional work – driving the prop).

 

 Just think if you could recover 20% of that exhaust energy and make it turn the prop.  That would add 20% of (47880/2) BTU/Min = 0.2 * 23940 =  4788 BTU/min more work energy = 112 HP more + 270 =  382 HP not a bad increase.  If  only.

 

The turbocompound approach does indeed capture some of that energy  – but, I’ve only seen it used on pretty massive and large engines. .  The figures I have seen have been around 6% energy recapture,  which if you have a 2000 hp engine and 8000 HP of energy is going out the exhaust then 0.06 * 8000 = 492 HP which can make it worthwhile.  Its not simply, light nor cheap and while it has been successfully used , it seems to fade in and out of favor.  But, with the advent of the turbo jet engine – the turbo compound seems to have faded into history as far as use in aircraft engines.

 

I would like to see it succeed on the rotary but, I’m not holding my breath. I saw some photos back about 3-4 years ago of a project to try it on the Rotary but never heard if it ever ran or the results.  I presume if it had been a success, we would have heard about it.

 

If it were practical and cost effective, I think the automotive industry would have jumped on it with both feet.  But, who knows perhaps in the future.

 

In the meantime, I’ll just wait for the 16X.

 

 

Ed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3267 (20080714) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com