Potential impacts of Brayton- and Stirling-cycle engines

Technical Report · Sat Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6800372· OSTI ID:6800372

Heft, R. C.

Two engine technologies (Brayton cycle and Stirling cycle) currently being pursued by the US Department of Energy were examined for their potential impacts if they achieved commercial viability. An economic analysis of the expected response of buyers to the attributes of the alternative engines was performed. Hedonic coefficients for vehicle fuel efficiency, performance and size were estimated for domestic cars based upon historical data. The marketplace value of the fuel efficiency enhancement provided by Brayton or Stirling engines was estimated. The effect upon various economic sectors of a large scale change-over from conventional to alternate engines was estimated using an economic input-output analysis. Primary effects were found in fuels refining, non-ferroalloy ores and ferroalloy smelting. Secondary effects were found in mining, transport, and capital financing. Under the assumption of 10 years for plant conversions and 1990 and 1995 as the introduction date for turine and Stirling engines respectively, the comparative fuel savings and present value of the future savings in fuel costs were estimated.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Jet Propulsion Lab. (JPL)
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-76CS51011
• OSTI ID: 6800372
• Report Number(s): DOE/CS/51011-T1; JPL-PUB-81-22
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
AUTOMOBILES
GAS TURBINE ENGINES
STIRLING ENGINES
COMMERCIALIZATION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
BRAYTON CYCLE
ECONOMETRICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
FUEL CONSUMPTION
FUEL ECONOMY
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENGINES
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
VEHICLES
330201* - External Combustion Engines- Stirling Cycle
330103 - Internal Combustion Engines- Turbine