Scientists have successfully generated electricity with a hydrogen turbine that produces its own pressure through detonation waves instead of relying on a mechanical compressor. The breakthrough could unlock dramatically more efficient power systems for clean energy and future aviation.

  • Brokkr@lemmy.world
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    8 days ago

    The KIT system creates the required pressure inside the combustion chamber instead.

    I’m specifically referring to that line.

    • Hypx@piefed.socialOPM
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      8 days ago

      Please read that sentence more carefully. It is not saying what you think it is saying. The detonation wave generates pressure without compression.

      • Brokkr@lemmy.world
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        8 days ago

        I could be very pedantic here, but I’m actually trying to understand how this is different from a traditional engine.

        In that sentence, what does the “required pressure” refer to? Presumably an elevated pressure is required, instead of a negative pressure? For what purpose? How is that pressure achieved? Is the pressure changed by a change in volume? Temp? Once the pressure has changed, does the gas do work on something?

        • Hypx@piefed.socialOPM
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          8 days ago

          The pressure increase is achieved via detonation. This happens without a compression stage. It then pushes on a turbine generating electricity.

          It is clearly described in the article. Like I said, you need to read it more carefully.

          • Brokkr@lemmy.world
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            8 days ago

            You keep saying that, but it seems that you’re only able to make sense of the article because you have some prior knowledge. I was hoping you would share that knowledge, but it seems you have no interest in doing so. What was the point of sharing the article then?

            Since you seem to want to be reductive, it appears that this detonation engine is nothing more than a regular combustion engine with a fuel mix that is more reactive. That’s great and cool, but it still isn’t clear why this is any significant innovation.

            • Hypx@piefed.socialOPM
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              8 days ago

              It is a combustion engine, just minus the compression stage. If you actually read the entire article (which at this point, I suspect you have not), it is potentially more efficient than a regular combustion engine. That is the entire point of the thing.