POWER UNITS FOR THE FUTURE

The relative attributes of the diesel engine are compared with those of alternative sources of power for commercial vehicles, and the results suggest that the regenerative gas turbine unit just edges the diesel engine into second place despite a considerable fuel consumption advantage held by the diesel. The diesel engine, which at present dominates the commercial vehicle market, is compared with the gas turbine, stirling, steam and petrol engines on the basis of running cost, ease of maintenance, reliability, specific size and weight and environmental effects. A merit rating system is used to quantify the attributes and on the basis of the comparison, it is suggested that when its cost and fuel economy are improved, the gas turbine unit can be expected to compete for part of the commercial vehicle market, and will represent a real challenge to the future diesel. To face this challenge, the diesel will continue to be improved and the author predicts a significant shift from the flat torque curve engine, with the result that the diesel will continue to dominate the transport industry. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00203122
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Road Transport Engineeers

  1 Cromwell Place
  London SW1 25F,   England 

  Institute of Road Transport Engineeers

  1 Cromwell Place
  London SW1 25F,   England 
• Authors:
  • Leverton, B B
• Publication Date: 1976-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: p. 11-13
• Serial:
  • TRANSPORT ENGINEER
  • Publisher: Institute of Road Transport Engineeers
  • ISSN: 0020-3122

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Commercial vehicles; Diesel engines; Energy; Environmental impacts; Fuel consumption; Gas turbines; Gases; Heavy vehicles; Maintenance; Motors; Operating costs; Power; Reliability; Steam; Stirling engines; Turbine engines; Turbines; Weight
• Old TRIS Terms: Running costs
• ITRD Terms: 1394: Catalytic converter; 1314: Diesel engine; 232: Fuel consumption; 6734: Gas; 1078: Lock (waterway); 3847: Maintenance; 1334: Motor; 221: Operating costs; 6713: Steam; 1303: Stirling engine; 1313: Turbine
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00138971
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 3 1976 12:00AM