Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal combustion engine which converts thermal energy into mechanical energy, comprising at least one vapour producing device which at least partially vaporises a first liquid working medium by means of thermal energy supplied to the combustion engine, at least one rotor which can be driven by means of a vaporised first working medium in order to produce mechanical energy and rotated with respect to at least one stator around a first rotational axis, and at least one condensation device for condensation of the vaporised first working medium after the rotor has been driven. The rotor surrounds the stator in an essentially complete manner. The invention also relates to the use of the inventive thermal combustion engine.