Douglas Fir wrote:

Paul

Is this the small lawnmower size rotary APU you are talking about?

Doug in Japan

It is one 10KW example. It was based on the Norton/Midwest/Diamond engine.
Apparently the auxiliary combustion chamber did not work out so it was
unsuccessful IMHO.

Wankel Gmbh built some a bit larger (about 75KW) using the same direct
injection
spark assisted approach Francois is using to burn diesel or jet fuel.
Altair in San Diego has also built a few gasoline powered versions based
on a one rotor Mazda. Some with aluminum end housings detonation coated
with silicon carbide. I have a lot more pictures of the Wankel Gmbh engine
if you are interested.

Paul Lamar

 Paul, or Vance

I am looking for something in the 25KW range.  Preferably a small turbine
with a PM generator.

Depending on size the unit will go in my DeLorean.  Before you groan I am
doing this hybrid the 'old' series way like we did at university. Small
60/amp.hr battery pack. 250 lbs. with 120v DC motor.  The car doesn't have
to be fast but must go to Tokyo on the highway, which is a distance of
250km.

Yes it I know it would be awesome to put a 3 rotor in it. Not interested.
The car is too big and handles terribly around the little country roads here.
Drives like a boat until you get it out on the highway at highspeed. On snow
it will not turn a corner without considerable ballast in the front.  But I
digress.  This project is for the local highschool kids as well as being  a
demo test bed for the hydrogen generator I invented. Thus the turbine
interest.

Doug in Japan

Well Doug the Capstone approach looks ideal for your needs. You could always
get a large turbo charger and build your own. You will have to do some R&D on
burner design. Many people have built gas turbine engines out of turbo chargers
in the past. Most APU's are glorified turbo chargers. I think I saw some plans 
or kits advertised on the internet. Also perhaps advertised in the back of 
Popular Mechanics or Popular Science. Does it have to make 250 KM before 
refueling?

To make the DeLorean handle on the back roads you need a rear sway bar.
If it already has one make it larger in diameter. Find a car racing outfit 
and they will fix you right up.

Not a lot you can do in the snow except perhaps what you are already doing. 

Paul Lamar
 
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