Why Can’t Cars Run On Modern Steam Engines?
When the world is growing to evolve and in terms of the automobile as well, one question still hits the mind. Why the modern steam engines cannot be used in cars nowadays.
To some, it may seem humorous because it is time we think about flying cars and driverless rides but not the steam engine. So what it is that keeps the steam engine from being used in this era.
The Concept Of The Modern Steam Engines And How They Work
A steam engine creates energy with a blend of coal and water. The energy is produced using the same principle as the kettle over the fire. To produce the fire, the coal is used that boils the water in the boiler. The boiling water turns into steam which is used as energy to move the wheels. The key here remains not to blow the steam in the air but instead use it to power the vehicle.
The steam produced from the boiler goes to the cylinder and the piston. The pressure makes the piston move and rotates the wheels. The steam then gets exhausted in the air, and that is why the steam engine for cars creates the smoky effect.
Why Are Modern Steam Engines Not In Use Anymore?
The foremost reason is the fuel efficiency that comes with diesel engines. Also, without the need to make frequent stops to load the water and coal, diesel-based vehicles serve for longer. You find it hassle-free to get the tank full with diesel which can’t be the case with steam-oriented vehicles. There is no need to see a giant boiler, and the generator does it all for powering the motor.
The steam formation needs an enormous steam pressure, and that means lots of coal and water. Also, locomotives can’t compete in today’s automobile technology when it comes to thermal efficiency. The automotive steam engine would be responsible for an enormous amount of weight as well due to the coal, water, and the mechanism itself. A large amount of steam pressure needs to be dispersed in the air after the operation ends. A locomotive engine requires regular maintenance as compared to a diesel engine.
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The steam concept uses too much of the resources to produce the required amount of energy. This in return does not seem worthy of the efforts. It also seems a waste of natural resources.
Additionally, the problem was that steam engines added so much weight to a vehicle that they proved a poor design for road vehicles. However, steam engines were successfully used in locomotives. Historians, who accept that early steam-powered road vehicles were technically automobiles, often credit Nicolas Cugnot as the inventor of the first automobile.
A gasoline engine, however, works much better in this aspect. Steam engine maintenance is an expensive task undoubtedly as the boiler needs to be cleaned out. It also means that you can’t use the engine all the time or whenever you want because of its repair needs.
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Is It Possible To Use Water As Fuel?
It is scientifically impossible to create a purely water-fueled car without violating the well-established laws of thermodynamics. Unless, of course, someone wants to spend more energy to produce less energy.
In the past, some people claimed to develop cars that run on water fuel. However, it has never been verified or approved by authorities or experts.
Perhaps the first person to make claims about water-fueled cars was an inventor named Charles Garett. According to a report by the Dallas Morning News, Garett ran a car fueled by water on September 8, 1935.
However, when examining the patent that Charles filed for this design, it appears that he used electrolysis to power the car with hydrogen molecules produced from that reaction. His invention did not bring any new sources of energy.
Get more knowledge about cars in the Industry knowledge section.
The Verdict
This is how a modern steam engine works and due to its frequent maintenance needs, usage of too many resources, the giantness, and other similar factors, it is not possible to bring the old-school idea back. So it would be wise to focus on innovation rather than the conventional concepts and let the steam engine continue on the hill stations for the charm.
