Turbosteamer

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A turbosteamer is a term used by BMW to describe an alternative non-parasitic hybrid concept based upon a steam engine that converts waste heat energy from an internal combustion engine into supplemental power for the vehicle. The turbosteamer device is affixed to the exhaust system. It salvages the heat wasted in the exhaust (as much as 80% of heat energy) and uses a steam engine to relay that power to the crankshaft. The steam circuit produces 14 horsepower (10 kW) and 15 foot-pounds force (20 N·m) of torque at peak (for a 1.8 liter four), yielding an estimated 15% gain in fuel efficiency. Unlike gas-electric hybrids, these gains increase at higher, steadier speeds.^[1]

BMW has been the pioneer of this concept, and while they are designing this system to fit to most current BMW models, the technology is not expected to reach production for another decade. A system which converts exhaust energy via a generator into electricity instead is currently being tested.^[2]

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The turbosteamer does not use a steam engine to relay the power to the crankshaft. The way it works is that once the water becomes steam it is directed into an expansion chamber that is attached to the crankshaft.