External combustion engines - a class of engines where the heat source or the combustion process is separated from the working fluid .
This class includes steam engines , steam turbines , Stirling engines , gas turbines of external combustion, as well as other types of engines.
History
External combustion engines were invented 200 years ago, in 1816 . Together with a steam engine , a two- and four-stroke internal combustion engine, external combustion engines are considered one of the main types of engines. They were designed to create engines that are safer and more productive than a steam engine. At the very beginning of the 19th century, the lack of suitable materials led to numerous fatalities in connection with the explosion of steam engines under pressure.
A significant market for external combustion engines was formed in the second half of the 19th century, in particular, in connection with smaller areas of application where they could be safely operated without the need for the services of qualified operators.
After the invention of the internal combustion engine , at the end of the 19th century, the market for external combustion engines disappeared. The cost of producing an internal combustion engine is lower compared to the cost of manufacturing an external combustion engine.
The main disadvantage of internal combustion engines is that they require clean, fossil fuels that increase CO 2 emissions. However, until recently, emissions of CO2 were not given due attention.
Literature
- “Engines of external combustion”, G. V. Smirnov. New in life, science, technology: Series: Industry, 1967, M. - Knowledge . [one]