In article ,
wrote:
On Sat, 16 Jun 2012 08:33:17 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:

Lew Hodgett wrote:
-------------------------------------
Friday afternoon, (06/15/12), the price of gas is now $3.75/gal at
the
local cash & carry.

The chain jerking continues.

Alternate energy anybody?


Er, no.

Virtually all forms of "alternate" energy are more expensive or
significantly less convenient. For example, consider a car you might own
that propels itself via energy stored in a large rotating drum. There are no
re-spin stations on any interstate highway in the country, so you can't
stray too far from your garage. Or you'd have to pull over and break out the
crank.

Now EXTERNAL combustion engines, i.e., steam driven, are more efficient than
internal combustion. But a steam-powered auto would suffer the same
convenience problem as befo There just are no coal-refilling stations on
our highways.

Nothing stopping you or anyone else with any intelligence, from firing
the external compustion engine with gasoline, fuel oil, propane, CNG,
hydrogen, ethanol,corn husks, dried cow dung, or any other flammable
product

No, unless somebody comes up with a car that can miracle itself down the
road, gasoline is our next best alternative.



The most efficient internal combustion engines are the very large
diesel engines used on ships. Some of these reach 50% thermal efficiency.
What external combustion engine exceeds that?


--
Often wrong, never in doubt.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org