On 04/19/2011 10:23 AM, Nigel Graham wrote:
>> ..... go straight to Diesel or propane. Here in the Netherlands about
>> 1/3th of the
>> gas cars has been converted to run on propane (LPG)
>
> .........and just how much does a propane tank weigh and what would that
> do for the Europa's C of G and performance? ;-)
Someone was proposing to raise the octane levels for cars. So my reply
was not aimed at airplanes.
But now you ask for it... These days there are light weight plastic
propane tanks, in other shapes than cylindrical. And I bet the Rotax
engine is very easy to adapt for propane use. Performance could actually
increase over gas if the compression ratio (or boost pressure!) would be
increased and the ignition timing would be advanced. Limiting factor for
the Rotax is detonation, and propane has a much higher resistance
against detonation.
The main problem would be refueling. Or you could set it up, just like
with cars, so it can accept both fuel types.
Frans
|