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Moller International's Rotapower Engine Achieves Performance Breakthrough Using Ethanol-Water Mix
Moller International (personal aircraft) has successfully tested its Rotapowerฎ rotary engine using a fuel composed of 70% ethanol and 30% water, giving a number of advantages including reduced fire hazard, reduced emissions, improved fuel economy and engine power.
From press release
Will the Moller flying vehicle be powered by
an ethanol-water mixture? Tests of the Rotapowerฎ rotary engine are
promising. |
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DAVIS, CA, USA -- Moller International (OTCBB:MLER) has successfully tested its
Rotapowerฎ rotary engine using a fuel composed of 70%
ethanol and 30% water.
The Rotapower engine is a key component in the future deployment of the Companys
volantor aircraft including the M200E and M200G models (see www.moller.com),
anticipated to enter the market in 2008.
This fuel mixture had a number of remarkable advantages when used as a volantor
fuel including:
- Reduced fire hazard since it is nearly
incombustible outside the engine.
- Reduced emissions to well below the Super
Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) standard set by the California Air
Resources Board.
- Improved fuel consumption through the use
of a higher compression ratio possible with the fuels
high octane rating.
- Significantly increased engine power
through the fuels cooling effect on the
incoming fuel/air charge.
The Rotapower engine in the volantor and other applications is able to
achieve nearly emissions-free performance while producing nearly two horsepower
for every pound of engine weight. Only a turbine engine can match this power to
weight ratio, but at a cost that is over twenty times higher ($25 per horsepower
versus $500+ per horsepower for this engine power range).
An engine with a high power to weight ratio and low cost is a requirement for
the volantor-type aircraft in development by the Company.
# # #
SOURCE:
- Company press
release; May 21, 2007. Includes Safe Harbor disclaimer.
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