Advantage And Disadvantage Of Steam Engine

Chapter -1

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE VEHICLES AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Design and development of Automobile was not carried in a single day. With several hands in picture the present automobiles are on roads. As vehicles have become the phantom in human life, its design, development and existence plays a major role in present generation.

Since the invention of wheel in ancient age, the development of automotives is one of its boons to mankind. Throughout the generations, different vehicular architectures were designed with several propulsion techniques with efficient utilization for several applications. Options included steam engine powered by steam, internal combustion engine powered by petrol or diesel or propane, electric traction motors

In this cycle, water is heated and transformed into steam within a boiler operating at a high pressure. After expansion of the steam when passing through turbines or piston, mechanical work is being done. Combustible materials like coal, oil and gas were being used in the process. The major limitations or disadvantages of a steam engine are, as an external combustion engines it is heavy because of which it cannot find applications in small vehicles. Initial generation of the steam takes much time and construction techniques of the steam engine boilers are to be precise for withstanding the high pressure inside. The thermal efficiency of the steam engine is also very low of about 30 percent as of heat loss because of large exposed area in its construction. Fig: photo of steam engine which was on rails until 1988 (photo courtesy – German railway heritage page (reichsbahndampflok))

INTERNAL COMBUSTION

Throughout years there came several improvements and modifications in internal combustion engine designs. Several variants of ICE vehicles were also designed and developed. But earlier these ICE driven vehicles were not much environmental friendly causing noise and air pollution.

Electric vehicles were not as noisy as ICE vehicles. They were convenient in driving, smooth and also very environmental friendly. Electric vehicles became common in early 1900s as of early electricity access for charging of batteries. It was very friendly for short trips more suitable for urban environment. For farther distances people preferred ICE vehicles over Electric vehicles as of shorter range coverage per charge of the batteries.

Many innovations occurred in improving the technology of electric vehicle which was in high demand at that time. For example, Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the sports car company by the same name, developed an electric car called the P1 in 1898. Thomas Edison, one of the world’s most prolific inventors, thought electric vehicles were the superior technology and worked to build a better electric vehicle battery. Even Henry Ford, who was friends with Edison, partnered with Edison to explore options for a low-cost electric car in 1914 (wired,