I've been looking at using a Chevy V-8 at very low RPM in
a home co-generation setup, natural gas fueled.  By chance,
I ran into a fellow at a company that sells auxiliary power
generators.  His company was contracted by Intelligen, who
in turn specializes in home co-gen sets.  The current model
uses a two-cylinder Lister diesel, at about a 10kw capacity.
He is working on a natural gas model of the same set with
a modified Lister engine.  He claims better overall efficiency
for the gas unit - around 93%.  Diesel is about 90%.
Bottom line is that the Chevy project could be completely
practical, but for one fact.  Massachusetts has a 30kw
limit for co-gen sets.  Above that a different set of rules
apply which makes it "bureaucratically" impractical.  And the
Chevy would most likely not be as efficient working that low.
I won't be doing the Chevy project, but it sure was a good
learning experience.
The generator company is R. A. Mitchell in New Bedford, MA.
They could steer any interested people to Intelligen...
-c-
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