With high energy prices being top-of-mind among many consumers today, we are interested in what alternatives are being developed and what kinds of engines may be in our shops down the road. The Waste Heat Engine is quite an interesting idea that is being developed by the same group that has built the Cyclone Engine.
The Cyclone Waste Heat Engine (WHE) is a self-starting engine that operates in a low pressure, low temperature range. This feature allows the engine to run on waste heat emanating from an external source, such as the exhaust from an internal (or external) combustion engine, or the direct burning of biomass (i.e., processing garbage into methane would not be required). The Waste Heat Engine is also designed to run
efficiently on solar heat without the installation of costly photovoltaic panels. Commercial applications for the engine include boosting the power and efficiency of large gasoline or diesel-powered generators. When installed to the exhaust system of an engine that can generate over 1000 degrees of heat, the WHE could materially increase overall horsepower and reduce fuel consumption. Additionally, once installed, the Waste Heat Engine could serve as a stand-by generator should the primary system shut down. Another major commercial application includes solar-power generators for homes or businesses. By attaching inexpensive panels to a roof, enough heat can be produced to run the Waste Heat Engine. Cyclone believes that such a system could be
installed at a price of approximately 20% of the cost of comparable photovoltaic panel systems, while also providing home owners with a back-up power supply. Excess electricity could be directed back to the power grid for electrical power credits.