Diesel hybrid - why not?

[sasilverbullet]

Let me first define my idea of a diesel hybrid - like the current train engines, you have a diesel generator and the wheels are driven totally by electric motors. Maybe throw some batteries in so the engine doesn't have to run all the time.

Will this work? Is it a good idea? Why hasn't anyone done this yet?

 

[Trav]

Sure it works this is the system the Chevy Volt uses only with a gasoline engine.
EPA regs or the lack of small domesticity produced diesels are probably keeping the diesels out of the picture as far as U.S. manufacturers go,i really don't know why.I suspect VW and others will use the diesel in theirs.
This system is how diesel electric trains have run for decades.

 

[Bill in Utah]

A thread with the same question a few years ago.

Another thread.

Thread about VW's "261 MPG" diesel hybrid.

Personally taking two VERY complex systems (now that diesel has been "blessed" by the EPA) would keep me away from the vehicle.

Bill

 

[bepperb]

Look how expensive the Volt is with a similar gasoline setup. A 40,000 compact car. Adding 3 grand on for a clean diesel isn't a step in the right direction, and probably wouldn't make that big a difference in that's car's petrol mileage, and would hurt electric only range since weight would increase.

 

[opus1]

I would think the on-off cycles would reduce a diesel's efficiency.

 

[KrisZ]

The generator-electric motor setup was never implemented in locomotives or ships because of fuel efficiency. The system is actually less efficient. The reason for it is weight savings as well as "packaging" flexibility.

It's much easier to have diesel generators in one area and run cables to electric motors that are connected to propellers or wheels then it is to accomplish the same thing with a mechanical transmission.

 

[A_Harman]

Peugeot has been working on a diesel hybrid for introduction into the European market for a few years. Just wait and see.

By the way, locomotives are not hybrids because they only have one form of energy storage onboard: the diesel fuel tank. They are diesel-powered with an electric drivetrain.

 

[wapacz]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Peugeot has been working on a diesel hybrid for introduction into the European market for a few years. Just wait and see.

By the way, locomotives are not hybrids because they only have one form of energy storage onboard: the diesel fuel tank. They are diesel-powered with an electric drivetrain.


actually i believe there are a few hybrid locomotives out there now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_train

 

[Burt]

Sounds like one heavy car, combining the weight of diesel, batteries and electric motors. Gas hybrids have a questionable cost benefit outcome, I have to think that the marginal benefit of adding diesel to a hybrid is small and somewhat silly unless you just want mpg bragging rights.

 

[NateDN10]

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/potential-diesel-hybrids-limited-high-cost-29612.html

Quote from this site:
Quote:
It's technically possible to use a hybrid drivetrain with a diesel engine. In fact, PSA Peugeot Citroën recently showed a diesel-hybrid prototype: the 307 CC Hybride HDi, a compact convertible that gets 70 miles per gallon, about 30 percent better fuel economy than the existing diesel version. No one makes diesel hybrids yet, mainly because they are expensive. The added benefits come at a double expense—more for the hybrid system and more for the diesel engine. PSA Peugeot Citroën is planning to introduce a diesel hybrid to the European market in 2011. But no promises yet for the North American buyers.

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: wapacz
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Peugeot has been working on a diesel hybrid for introduction into the European market for a few years. Just wait and see.

By the way, locomotives are not hybrids because they only have one form of energy storage onboard: the diesel fuel tank. They are diesel-powered with an electric drivetrain.


actually i believe there are a few hybrid locomotives out there now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_train


Yeah, the hybrid principle could also be applied to locomotives, and I have heard that GE was working on one. Diesel-electric locomotives have a dynamic braking system that uses the wheel motors as generators to send electical current to resistance heating grids that assist braking on downhills. Since this energy is just going to heat air, it is being wasted. Hybridization could be implemented by charging batteries or capacitors on downhills, then releasing it back to the main generator later on.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: NateDN10
http://www.hybridcars.com/news/potential-diesel-hybrids-limited-high-cost-29612.html

Quote from this site:
Quote:
It's technically possible to use a hybrid drivetrain with a diesel engine. In fact, PSA Peugeot Citroën recently showed a diesel-hybrid prototype: the 307 CC Hybride HDi, a compact convertible that gets 70 miles per gallon, about 30 percent better fuel economy than the existing diesel version. No one makes diesel hybrids yet, mainly because they are expensive. The added benefits come at a double expense—more for the hybrid system and more for the diesel engine. PSA Peugeot Citroën is planning to introduce a diesel hybrid to the European market in 2011. But no promises yet for the North American buyers.


Peugeot already have a very nice Diesel of about 1,000cc that has proved reliable. From what I hear.

 

[flacoman]

The best ,if most expensive setup would be a turbo diesel hybrid with a second stage of mechanical compounding. Talk about squeezing the nickel 'till the buffalo screams!