New type of jet drive-no moving parts.

[Nos4r2]

If this works I want one!

http://www.newscientist.com/article/...et-engine.html

[Andy JC]

Looks interesting. As well as being efficient it would also be perfect for divers/rescue boats etc due to the water being chucked out the back being only slightly warmer than what's going in.
Seems a bit too good to be true though... surely there must be a downside?!?

[codprawn]

It isn't exactly a new idea. Things like this have been around since the 1800s but this is an improved version.

A small one may be safe if you can't get sucked in but God help anything that does - "It doesn't simply mix -- it macerates,"

Still it could be very useful if the efficiency is ok.

[chris123]

As the article is dated 2003 and there is no information on the product on the developers website (the products range they have seems to use similar technologies in different applications), I would suspect the product is not going anywhere fast, whether for technical or commercial reasons.

Depending on how much steam you need to generate and how hot the steam needs to be, you may need a relatively large boiler and feed system with significant amounts of insulation. I think they have glossed over the challenges of generating steam from sea water as well.

I suspect it would be difficult to keep the thermal losses below the thermal and mechanical losses in an IC engine.

On the plus side though, it has the potential to be a lot more flexible on fuel type and fuel quality.

Cheers

Chris

[codprawn]

Yes we could run our RIBs on Welsh steam coal.............

Better still a nuclear powered RIB - no need for nav lights!!!

[floater]

or drift wood !!