COAL-FIRED CAR IS JUST GRATE

A solid-fuel propulsion system for cars based on coal dust is briefly described. Developed by General Motors (US), the agt-5 system uses compressed air to force powdered coal into a turbine where a small amount of petrol is used for ignition. With the engine running, pressurised coal dust flows like a liquid and the gaseous products of combustion are used to drive the turbine with a 95% efficiency compared with 55% for petrol or methanol powered engines. Present problems concern the manufacture of coal dust particles 2-3 micrometres diameter in commercial quantities. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02624079
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Magazine Limited

  King's Reach Tower, Stamford Street
  London SE1 9LS,   England 
• Publication Date: 1981-6-11

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 691
• Serial:
  • NEW SCIENTIST
  • Volume: 90
  • Issue Number: 1257
  • Publisher: REED BUSINESS INFORMATION LTD
  • ISSN: 0262-4079

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Combustion; Compressed air; Development; Dust; Economic efficiency; Fuels; Manufactures; Minerals; Motors; Propulsion; Turbines
• Uncontrolled Terms: Coal dust; Efficiency
• ITRD Terms: 3860: Combustion; 9013: Development; 4572: Dust; 3850: Fuel; 3647: Manufacture; 4051: Mineral; 1334: Motor; 3873: Propulsion; 1313: Turbine
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00345632
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 29 1982 12:00AM