"Sneed, Glen" wrote:

If I remember correctly, the water injection into high Hp engines was to
stop detonation.  The heat energy required to make dry steam at a given
pressure is much greater than the energy required to raise the air to the
same pressure.  The alcohol add to the water was to keep it from freezing at
altitude.  The energy released by the alcohol in the water/alcohol was not
enough to totally heat the water to steam.  The real Hp in the water
injected engines came from the very high boost being used.

Steam is powerful.  Dry steam engines of the industrial revolution were
engines developed because the energy source was coal or wood.  The petroleum
industry was still in its infancy and very poor distribution infrastructure
existed when the steam engine was in its glory.  Also, steam can be used in
low tech environments.  The resources to generate power, wood and water, are
readily available.

Smokie Yunic(sp), the grandfather of NASCAR engine builders, experimented
with water injection back in the '60s.  He found the excessive moisture
buildup in the crankcase with the regular use of water injection.  The
buildup lead to excessive rust if the engine was allow to sit a couple of
days.

Food for thought,

Glenn Sneed

 
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