UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
OFFIC IAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
U.S.
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EPA-335
A
Environmental News
O'Neill (202) 755-0344
Fitzwater (202) 755-0344
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1974
EPA SELECTS CONTRACTORS FOR FURTHER WORK ON STEAM ENGINES
The Environmental Protection Agency today selected the
Scientific Energy Systems Company (SES), Watertown, Massachusetts,
as the prime contractor to continue developing the Rankine
cycle (steam) engine as a demonstrable alternative to the
conventional spark ignition engine for automobiles.
EPA's new contract with SES, now being negotiated, may
approach $2 million in costs through calendar year 1976. It is
expected to call for further development of the SES steam engine
to be demonstrated in a 3,500 pound car by 1976. This car should
show itself to be a practical alternative to today's gasoline
powered, internal combustion engine.
SES was selected from among four companies competing under
EPA contracts for the development of pre-prototype Rankine cycle
engines. The other companies were the Aerojet Liquid Rocket
Company, Sacramento, California; the Lear Motors Corp., Leareno,
Nevada, and the Thermo Electron Corp. (TECO), Waltham, Massachusetts.
TECO has been selected as a back-up contractor for the
next phase of Rankine cycle development. TECO' s engine is a
reciprocating type expander which uses an organic fluorocarbon
type fluid.
(more)
Return this sheet if you do NOT wish to receive this material ~, or if change of address is needed ~ (indicate change, including zip code).
EPA FORM 1510-1 (REV. 8-72)
350

-------
-2-
EPA's previous contract with SES, awarded in March 1971,
totalled approximately $4.5 million. Its earlier contract with
TECO, also awarded in 1971, amounted to roughly $3.3 million.
The SES system is based upon a reciprocating expander which
uses water as the working fluid. The expander is a four cylinder
single acting, uniflow design. It uses a crankcase splash
lubricant. The SES system is closed or sealed. The water is
vaporized and expanded to create power. It is then condensed
and the cycle repeated.
EPA chose the SES engine as best overall in the areas of
fuel economy, emissions, and size and weight.
The engine achieved 10.8 miles per gallon when tested on
a simulation of the Federal Vehicle Emission Test procedure;
the test was made on an engine dynamometer. The emissions were
.18 grams per mile (gpm) hydrocarbons, 0.43 gpm carbon monoxide,
and 0.19 gpm oxides of nitrogen. The pre-prototype engine was
designed to power a 4300 lb. car, and the 10.8 mpg compares
favorably with the average 9.5 mpg fuel economy of such vehicles
being built today. The engine to be built for prototype testing
will be designed to fit into a 3500 lb. car, and is expected
to. have significantly improved fuel economy over the pre-prototype.
The emission levels achieved by the SES, TECO, and Aerojet
engines in the competition were well below the current and
anticipated future auto emission levels based upon testing
which simulated the Federal driving cycle.
Under its Alternative Automotive Power Systems program,
EPA is also investigating the gas turbine as a possible substitute
for the conventional engine. Since 1970, EPA has awarded
approximately $25.7 million in contracts for research and
development related primarily to the Rankine cycle and gas
turbine engines.
# # #

-------