Re: ethanol

On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:45:31 -0700, "Reunite Gondwanaland (Mary
Shafer)" <reunite.gondwana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

>On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:02:17 +0000 (UTC), nospam@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (Paul
>Ciszek) wrote:
>
>> I believe that Mr. Diesel was not originally thinking in terms of
>> petroleum when he invented his engine:
>> 
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Diesel
>> "The diesel engine has the benefit of running on cheaper fuels; Diesel
>> was especially interested in using coal dust or vegetable oil as fuel,
>> his engine in fact ran on peanut oil."
>
>Turbines are even less fussy.  I know they can be put into cars
>because they have been.  I'm not talking the '61 Impala with JATO
>bottle here, or the monster trucks with J58s.  There were open-wheel
>race cars with turbine engines.  They only ran for a few years because
>they were too good, but it's obviously available technology and I'm
>surprised no one is looking at them.
>
>Mary "They'd run on rubbing alcohol, as I recall"

Chrysler had a fleet of concept cars in the late 50's - early 60[s -
part of the problem with the technology at the time was the turbo lag.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/chrysler-turbine-concept-cars3.htm
Ultimately, the field test included residents of all 48 continental
states ranging in age from 21 to 70. A total of 203 people drove 50
Turbine Cars between 1963 and early 1966. 

The results were in by the following year, when Chrysler issued a
re****t stating that little or no maintenance had been required
compared with comparable piston-engine cars. 

However, the firm never divulged mileage figures, which were
apparently embarrassing. One out of four drivers complained about gas
guzzling (they must have been out of peanut oil), and one out of three
groused about throttle lag. But there was also plenty of praise,
especially about the vibration-free operation and snazzy styling. 

Though Chrysler never released one to a journalist, writer John Lawlor
managed to drive a Turbine Car toward the end of the consumer test.
He, too, was impressed by its smoothness, but annoyed at the relative
lack of engine braking -- and at the throttle lag, which he re****ted
as the claimed 1.0-1.5 seconds. 

His mileage also disappointed -- just 11.5 mpg -- though he usually
ran on cheap kerosene. Lawlor did laud acceleration, which at under 10
seconds to 60 mph was sparkling, especially for a 4,100-pound car. So
much for rumors that turbines couldn't be quick.