More efficient turbines

With an aim to improve the efficiency of the present turbines and hence reduce the consumption of fuel, a UK company Numerics Technology has designed a turbine which gives 20 per cent more efficiency than normal turbines.

By this improvement in turbine design, not just the automotive market, but also the marine, road and rail market benefit. While the normal turbines function under constant pressure, the rotary internal combustion turbine or RICT functions under constant volume.

The benefits of using these turbines are:

a) They have fewer parts as compared to piston engines. So the cost of maintenance and the cost of manufacture are less.

b) Since they contain fewer parts, they function for a longer period without problems and their lifespan is more.

c) The currently used piston engines have only an efficiency of about 25 per cent. These new RICT engines have an efficiency of nearly 50 to 60 per cent.

d) When the efficiency is greater, the fuel consumption is reduced and so is the problem of pollution.

This turbine is different from the normal turbines in the sense that it uses much higher temperatures and pressures for functioning normally. It can also run on a wide range of liquid and gaseous fuels.

The design of the turbines makes it safe to use with all kinds of fuels, removing any fears of vehicle parts getting thrown out.

The engine is presently suitable for running at low speeds only, but soon it will be developed to run as the same speed as the other vehicles. Hence, both the needs for greater energy and better fuel efficiency will be solved.