Micro gas-turbine maker Bladon Jets raises £500K
15 December 2010
Bladon Jets, a developer of micro gas-turbine engines for cars and power generation, has raised £500,000 (US$782,000) in a recent funding round from members of the Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION), a European technology investment network. Bladon Jets is working with car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover on the development of a micro gas turbine engine to operate in a plug-in hybrid car. (Earlier post.)
A Jaguar C-X75 super car incorporating two Bladon Jets micro gas turbines was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show and showcased at the Los Angeles Motor Show. (Earlier post.)
Bladon Micro-Jet Engines are 100% axial-flow, gas turbine engines that are suited for range-extending electric vehicles), the company says. In the case of the Jaguar C-X75, the vehicle’s range is extended to 900 kilometers (559 miles) on a single tank of fuel by using the Bladon Jet micro gas turbines.
There have been a number of attempts to use a turbine engine to power a car previously, but driving the wheels. This has a number of problems. Firstly, turbine lag, which is a short delay between you putting your foot on the accelerator and the power being delivered to the driving wheels, rather than the instant response you get from an electric engine, for example. And if you run turbines at a variety of speeds, particularly at low revolutions, they are not especially efficient. They are most economical when operating at a constant high speed—as they are when being used to generate electricity.
— Bladon Jets finance director, Gary Lamb
Indian multinational Tata has recently announced that it is making an investment in Bladon Jets for a minority shareholding. Jaguar is now part of Tata Motors.
Turbine engines are used in aircraft because IC engines capable of providing adequate speed become enormous and less fuel efficient.
Turbine engines are very weight efficient but not fuel efficient - at any speed. Recuperation helps a bit but is expensive.
There have been a number of attempts to use a turbine engine to power cars and trucks.
Turbine lag is indeed a problem, but small turbine engines (with the blade clearances and recuperation you can afford) have poor efficiency even at high speed.
Cost - very high, compared with a cheap, mass produced ICE; and volume, to the level required, is unlikely to bring them close to a "more complex", low tech little ICE.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 15 December 2010 at 12:50 PM
TT, I think you are right. Tata can invest all they want, it is their money, but I don't think turbines will be used for cars in any great number anytime soon.
We may see a few unique designs for gensets. The fixed and controlled load profile can lead to engines that are optimized for that function.
Posted by: SJC | 15 December 2010 at 07:42 PM
Right. There is always a niche for such exciting, high tech hardware, which is great, but the high cost low volume catch 21, will probably lock it well out of the mainstream.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 15 December 2010 at 09:00 PM
This is waht I have been looking for.
Thie biggest item blocking takeup of E-Vehicles is the "range complaint"
Turbines like these, manufactured in the same quantities as IC motors will cost way less.
WELL DONE!
Posted by: Synergist | 18 February 2011 at 08:14 AM