offcourse, turbine is the ideal thing here....except turbines cost a fortune, whereas used truck engines can cost a mere fraction....
let me be a bit more specific, I want to know if it is possible to convert an ordinary petrol/diesel engine to run on compressed air or LTLP steam. And how efficient that would be. Now I get it that it won't be very efficient, but the thing is the cost effectiveness.
Also, I could get a scroll compressor out of an AC/fridge but that would need alot of precise modifications.
Also, how much power can these engines take...? As in lets say I start with a usual 70cc bike engine, can it produce a few kWs without blowing up? Is it safe to assume that an engine which is rated to produce a max of 100kW should also be able to handle on steam/air a similar load.
Also, you asked about flow, the flow would depend on how big the inlet/manifold etc is. Or am I wrong? So I'm basically asking what an ordinary engine that is easily available in market should be able to do with 200psi of air and 200psi of steam with least amount of modifications...
Have you had any experience with anything like that?