Osaka Gas, MHI develop improved gas engine

July 1, 1997 Osaka Gas Co. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) have jointly developed an ultra fuel-efficient gas engine for cogeneration systems. Conventional gas engines have a power generation efficiency of 28-35 %. The new engine, however, is said to have a power generation efficiency of 38%.
The engine is based on Mitsubishi Heavy's rarefied gas combustion engine, and uses the principle of a mirror cycle to enhance the air expansion rate inside the engine. The new engine also has an air intake valve with improved timing control.
The companies are aiming to commercialise engines with outputs ranging from 280 to 1,000 kW by the end of fiscal 1998, and are projecting annual sales of about 40 engines for fiscal 1999.