HOT AIR?
HOT AIR?
(OP)
How about compressed air as a fuel. Maybe pollution free but not free.
http://www.theaircar.com
Saw it on Discovery Channel (US).
http://www.theaircar.com
Saw it on Discovery Channel (US).
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RE: HOT AIR?
Also, how much energy does it take to compress that air in teh first place?
Air engines have a long history, these guys seem to be intent on avoiding 120 years of experience.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: HOT AIR?
Regards
Dave
RE: HOT AIR?
RE: HOT AIR?
I didn't record the episode but from my recollection they never mentioned economy only the pollution free aspects of the vehicle in a city.
The piston and crank arrangement look very familiar to a 2 cylinder steam engine that I saw in one of my fathers books.
RE: HOT AIR?
For compressed air torpedoes they got around this by heating the expander, by burning fuel, so they turned it into a rather complex (but very high power to weight ratio) external combustion engine.
These guys will face the same problem
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: HOT AIR?
There have been air powered cars built before. I saw an article twenty years ago on a compressed air powered automobile.
RE: HOT AIR?
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: HOT AIR?
I wouldn't want to be traveling at 80 MPH in such a small vehicle.
Besides, higher horsepower is used for acceleration, not cruising. The HP required at cruise conditions is small ( typically 8 - 25 HP, depending on vehicle size, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, etc).
I suspect that such a small vehicle would not fair well in a crash with a delivery truck, SUV, etc.
I notice that very small cars produced today have much more more than 24 HP. The air car would have to compete, in some sense, against better powered small commuter cars.