Compressed-air vehicle
Compressed-air vehicles operate according to a thermodynamic process in which air cools down when expanding and heats up when being compressed, resulting in unwanted energy losses.
[1] In 2020 there were developments published by Dr. Reza Alizade Evrin from Ontario Tech University[2][3] with an isothermal compressed-air vehicle prototype that uses low-pressure air tanks and exhaust air recovery to power a paraffin heat exchanger system with a global energy efficiency of 74% and a driving range of 140 km (87 mi).
However, the "Di Pietro" engine has been partially tested with CAD and finite element analysis program and published in scientific papers by Jarosław Zwierzchowski from Lodz University of Technology in 2017,[4] which is an eccentric shaft vane motor that uses low air pressure.
[6] The pressure vessels or air storage tanks that can be used in compressed-air vehicles can be made for low pressure (9 atm (130 psi)) or high (more than 240 atm (3,500 psi)), and can be made of composite materials like thermoplastic and fiber-reinforced thermoplastics,[7][8] that means that the price can drop by using recycled or biobased thermoplastics using rotational molding and they are much lighter than lithium-ion batteries and 70% lighter compared to steel tanks, also they have more lifespan and don't need much maintenance.
The carbon fiber materials used in making hydrogen fuel tanks is as light as a plastic but has six and four times the strength and stiffness of steel, respectively.
In 1903, the Liquid Air Company located in London, United Kingdom, manufactured several compressed-air and liquified-air cars.
[citation needed] With the efficiency of using wind turbines to power compressors or pumps, there is a single conversion of mechanical to pneumatic or hydraulic energy.
[11] Also, by powering the compressor with a Stirling engine using a parabolic or Fresnel lens solar concentrator, there is thermal to mechanical energy conversion.
It may take advantage of other renewable sources such as wind, solar power or river, tidal, wave hydropower to move an air compressor, hydraulic pump or Stirling engine.
There is little noise from pistonless rotary engines while using compressed air, which can also being soundproofed because the low temperature in which it works.
[18] In 2008, a compressed air and natural gas powered vehicle designed by engineering students at Deakin University in Australia was the joint winner of the Ford Motor Company T2 competition to produce a car with a 200 km (120 mi) range and an estimated cost of less than $7,000.
[21] Three mechanical engineering students from San Jose State University; Daniel Mekis, Dennis Schaaf and Andrew Merovich, designed and built a bike that runs on compressed air.
While their design was simple, these three pioneers of compressed air powered vehicles helped pave the way[citation needed] for French automaker Peugeot Citroën to invent a brand new air-powered hybrid.
[23] As part of the TV-show Planet Mechanics, Jem Stansfield and Dick Strawbridge converted a regular scooter to a compressed air moped.
It is a competition for students in the higher education to build racing vehicles propelled by compressed air.
[27] There is an international conference related to the event organized by Óbuda University, Department of Bánki Donát Mechanical and Safety Engineering.
