ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online) | ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print) IJRMET Vol.

5, Issue 2, May - Oct 2015

Compressed Air Engine

SwadhinPatnaik
Dept. of Mechanical engineering, SRM University, Chennai, India

Abstract II. Components

This paper work deals with the Compressed-air engine as a • CYLINDER
pneumatic actuator that converts one form of energy into another. • PISTON
The Air Driven Engine is an eco-friendly engine which operates • COMBUSTION CHAMBER
with compressed air. This Engine uses the expansion of compressed • ONNECTING ROD
air to drive the pistons of the engine. An Air Driven Engine is • CRANKSHAFT
a pneumatic actuator that creates useful work by expanding • CAMSHAFT
compressed air. There is no mixing of fuel with air as there is no • CAM
combustion. An Air Driven Engine makes use of Compressed Air • PISTON RINGS
Technology for its operation The Compressed Air Technology is • GUDGEON PIN
quite simple. If we compress normal air into a cylinder the air • INLET
would hold some energy within it. This energy can be utilized for • EXHAUST MANIFOLD
useful purposes. When this compressed air expands, the energy is • INLET AND EXHAUST VALVE
released to do work. So this energy in compressed air can also be • FLYWHEEL
utilized to displace a piston. Compressed air propulsion may also
be incorporated in hybrid systems, e.g., battery electric propulsion III. Engine Specifications
and fuel tanks to recharge the batteries. This kind of system is called Type of fuel used : Petrol
hybrid-pneumatic electric propulsion. Additionally, regenerative Cooling system : Air cooled
braking can also be used in conjunction with this system. Number of cylinder : Single
Number of stroke : Four Stroke
Keywords Arrangement : Vertical
Air, Compressed, Engine, Energy, Propulsion, Pneumatic Cubic capacity : 100 cc

I. Introduction IV. Layout of the Project

At first glance the idea of running an engine on air seems to be too
good to be true. Actually, if we can make use of air as an aid for
running an engine it is a fantastic idea. As we all know, air is all
around us, it never runs out, it is non-polluting and it is free.

An Air Driven Engine makes use of Compressed Air Technology

for its operation. Compressed Air Technology is now widely
preferred for research by different industries for developing
different drives for different purposes. The Compressed Air
Technology is quite simple. If we compress normal air into a
cylinder the air would hold some energy within it. This energy
can be utilized for useful purposes. When this compressed air
expands, the energy is released to do work.

So this energy in compressed air can also be utilized to displace
a piston. This is the basic working principle of the Air Driven Fig. 1: Layout of the Project
Engine. It uses the expansion of compressed air to drive the pistons
of the engine. So an Air Driven Engine is basically a pneumatic V. Compressed Air Engine Principle
actuator that creates useful work by expanding compressed air. A compressed-air vehicle is powered by an air engine, using
This work provided by the air is utilized to supply power to the compressed air, which is stored in a tank. Instead of mixing fuel
crankshaft of the engine. with air and burning it in the engine to drive pistons with hot
expanding gases, compressed air vehicles (CAV) use the expansion
In the case of an Air Driven Engine, there is no combustion taking of compressed air to drive their pistons. One manufacturer claims
place within the engine. So it is non-polluting and less dangerous. to have designed an engine that is 90 percent efficient. Compressed
It requires lighter metal only since it does not have to withstand air propulsion may also be incorporated in hybrid systems, e.g.,
elevated temperatures. battery electric propulsion and fuel tanks to recharge the batteries.
This kind of system is called hybrid-pneumatic electric propulsion.
As there is no combustion taking place, there is no need for mixing Additionally, regenerative braking can also be used in conjunction
fuel and air. Here compressed air is the fuel and it is directly fed with this system.
into the piston cylinder arrangement. It simply expands inside the
cylinder and does useful work on the piston. This work done on A. Engine
the piston provides sufficient power to the crankshaft A Compressed-air engine is a pneumatic actuator that creates
useful work by expanding compressed air. They have existed in

w w w. i j r m e t. c o m International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering & Technology  49

IJRMET Vol. 5, Issue 2, May - Oct 2015 ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online) | ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print)

many forms over the past two centuries, ranging in size from hand engine and diesel engine.
held turbines up to several hundred horsepower. Some types rely The cycle begins at Top Dead Center (TDC), when the piston is
on pistons and cylinders, others use turbines. farthest away from the axis of the crankshaft. A stroke refers to the
Many compressed air engines improve their performance by full travel of the piston from Top Dead Center (TDC) to Bottom
heating the incoming air, or the engine itself. Some took this a Dead Center (BDC).
stage further and burned fuel in the cylinder or turbine, forming
a type of internal combustion engine. One can buy the vehicle A. INTAKE stroke
with the engine or buy an engine to be installed in the vehicle. On the intake or induction stroke of the piston , the piston descends
Typical air engines use one or more expander pistons. In some from the top of the cylinder to the bottom of the cylinder, reducing
applications it is advantageous to heat the air, or the engine, to the pressure inside the cylinder. A mixture of fuel and air is forced
increase the range or power. by atmospheric (or greater) pressure into the cylinder through the
intake port. The intake valve(s) then close.
B. Tank
The tanks must be designed to safety standards appropriate for a B. COMPRESSION stroke
pressure vessel, such as ISO 11439. With both intake and exhaust valves closed, the piston returns to
The storage tank may be made of: the top of the cylinder compressing the fuel-air mixture. This is
1. Steel, known as the compression stroke.
2. Aluminium,
3. Carbon fiber, C. POWER stroke
4. Kevlar, While the piston is close to Top Dead Center, the compressed
5. Other materials or combinations of the above. air–fuel mixture is ignited, usually by a spark plug (for a gasoline
or Otto cycle engine) or by the heat and pressure of compression
The fiber materials are considerably lighter than metals but (for a diesel cycle or compression ignition engine). The resulting
generally more expensive. Metal tanks can withstand a large massive pressure from the combustion of the compressed fuel-air
number of pressure cycles, but must be checked for corrosion mixture drives the piston back down toward bottom dead center
periodically. One company stores air in tanks at 4,500 pounds with tremendous force. This is known as the power stroke, which
per square inch (about 30 MPa) and hold nearly 3,200 cubic feet is the main source of the engine’s torque and power.
(around 90 cubic metres) of air.
The tanks may be refilled at a service station equipped with heat D. EXHAUST stroke
exchangers, or in a few hours at home or in parking lots, plugging During the exhaust stroke, the piston once again returns to top dead
the car into the electrical grid via an on-board compressor. center while the exhaust valve is open. This action evacuates the
products of combustion from the cylinder by pushing the spent
C. Compressed Air fuel-air mixture through the exhaust valve(s).
Compressed air has a low energy density. In 300 bar containers, In our project we have to modified these four strokes into totally
about 0.1 MJ/L and 0.1 MJ/kg is achievable, comparable to the two stoke with the help of inner CAM alteration. In air engine
values of electrochemical lead-acid batteries. While batteries can we can design a new CAM which is operate only Inlet stroke and
somewhat maintain their voltage throughout their discharge and exhaust stroke. Actually in four stroke engine the inlet and exhaust
chemical fuel tanks provide the same power densities from the valve opens only one time to complete the total full cycle. In
first to the last litre, the pressure of compressed air tanks falls as that time the piston moving from top dead center to bottom dead
air is drawn off. A consumer-automobile of conventional size and center for two times. A stroke refers to the full travel of the piston
shape typically consumes 0.3-0.5 kWh (1.1-1.8 MJ) at the drive from Top Dead Center (TDC) to Bottom Dead Center (BDC).In
shaft per mile of use, though unconventional sizes may perform our air engine project, we have to open inlet and exhaust valve
with significantly less. in each and every stroke of the engine so that it will convert the
four stroke engine to two stroke engine by modifying the CAM
D. Emission Output shaft of the engine.
Like other non-combustion energy storage technologies, an air
vehicle displaces the emission source from the vehicle’s tail pipe VII. Design and Drawings
to the central electrical generating plant. Where emissions-free
sources are available, net production of pollutants can be reduced. A. Design of Ball Bearing
Emission control measures at a central generating plant may be Bearing No. 6202
more effective and less costly than treating the emissions of Outer Diameter of Bearing (D) = 35 mm
widely-dispersed vehicles. Thickness of Bearing (B) = 12 mm
Since the compressed air is filtered to protect the compressor Inner Diameter of the Bearing (d) = 15 mm
machinery, the air discharged has less suspended dust in it, though r₁ = Corner radii on shaft and housing
there may be carry-over of lubricants used in the engine. r₁ = 1 (From design data book)

6. Working Principle Maximum Speed = 14,000 rpm (From design data book)
Today, internal combustion engines in cars, trucks, motorcycles, Mean Diameter (dm) = (D + d) / 2
aircraft, construction machinery and many others, most commonly = (35 + 15) / 2
use a four-stroke cycle. The four strokes refer to intake, dm = 25 mm
compression, combustion (power), and exhaust strokes that occur
during two crankshaft rotations per working cycle of the gasoline

50 International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering & Technology w w w. i j r m e t. c o m

ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online) | ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print) IJRMET Vol. 5, Issue 2, May - Oct 2015

B. Engine Design Calculations We know that,

Design and Anylsis on Temperature Distribution for Two- 1Kg of carbon requires 8/3 Kg of oxygen for the
Stroke Engine Component Using Finite Element Method: complete combustion.
1Kg of carbon sulphur requires 1 Kg of Oxygen for its
1. Specification of Four Stroke Petrol Engine: complete combustion.
(From Heat Power Engineering-Balasundrrum)
Type : Four strokes
Cooling System : Air Cooled Therefore,
Bore/Stroke : 50 x 50 mm The total oxygen requires for complete combustion of
Piston Displacement : 98.2 cc 1Kg of fuel
Compression Ratio : 6.6: 1 = [ (8/3c) + (3H₂) + S] Kg
Maximum Torque : 0.98 kg-m at 5,500RPM Little of oxygen may already present in the fuel, then
the total oxygen required for complete combustion of
2. Calculation Kg of fuel
Compression ratio = (Swept Volume + Clearance = { [ (8/3c) + (8H₂) + S ] - O₂} Kg
Volume)/ Clearance Volume As air contains 23% by weight of Oxygen for obtain
Here, of oxygen amount of air required
Compression ratio = 6.6:1 = 100/23 Kg
∴ 6.6 = (98.2 + Vc)/Vc
Vc = 19.64 ∴Minimum air required for complete combustion of 1 Kg of
fuel
Assumption: = (100/23) { [ (8/3c) + H₂ + S] - O₂} Kg
So for petrol 1Kg of fuel requires = (100/23) {[
1. The component gases and the mixture behave like ideal (8/3c) x 0.86 + (8 x 0.14) ] }
gases. = 14.84 Kg of air
2. Mixture obeys the Gibbs-Dalton law
Pressure exerted on the walls of the cylinder by air is P₁ ∴Air fuel ratio = m₁/m₂
P₁ = (M₁RT)/V = 14.84/1
Here, = 14.84
M₁ = m/M = (Mass of the gas or air)/ ∴ m₁ = 14.84 m₂ (2)
(Molecular Weight)
R = Universal gas constant = 8.314 KJ/Kg mole K. Substitute (2) in (1)
T₁ = 303 ºK 1.01325 x 100 = 3.81134 (14.84
V₁ = V = 253.28 x m₂) + 555.02 m₂
10¯⁶ m³ ∴m₂ = 1.791 x 10¯⁵ Kg/Cycle
Molecular weight of air = Density of air x V mole Mass of fuel flow per cycle = 1.791 x 10¯⁵ Kg cycle
Therefore,
Here, Mass flow rate of the fuel for 2500 RPM
Density of air at 303ºK = 1.165 kg/m³ [(1.791 x 10¯⁵)/3600] x (2500/2) x 60
V mole = 22.4 m³/Kg-mole = 3.731 x 10¯⁴ Kg/sec
for all gases.
∴Molecular weight of air = 1.165 x 22.4 VIII. Advantages
• Compressed air to store the energy instead of batteries.
∴P₁ = {[(m₁/(1.165 x 22.4)] x 8.314 x • Pollution created during fuel transportation would be
303}/253.28 x 10¯⁶ eliminated.
P₁ = 381134.1 m₁ • Reducing pollution from one source, as opposed to the
millions of vehicles on the road.
Let Pressure exerted by the fuel is P₂ • There is no need to build a cooling system, fuel tank, Ignition
P₂ = (N₂ R T)/V Systems or silencers.
Density of petrol = 800 Kg/m³ • The price of fueling air powered vehicles will be significantly
cheaper than current fuels.
∴P₂ = {[(M₂)/(800 x 22.4)] x
8.314 x 303}/(253.28 x 10¯⁶ IX. Disadvantages
P₂ = 555.02 m₂ • The temperature difference between the incoming air and the
Therefore Total pressure inside the cylinder working gas is smaller. In heating the stored air, the device
PT = P₁ + P₂ gets very cold and may ice up in cool, moist climates.
= 1.01325 x 100 KN/m² • Refueling the compressed air container using a home or low-
∴381134.1 m₁ + 555.02 m₂ = 1.01325 x 100 (1) end conventional air compressor may take a long time.
• Tanks get very hot when filled rapidly. It very dangerous if
Calculation of air fuel ratio: caution is not maintained.
Carbon = 86% • Only limited storage capacity of the tanks. So we cannot opt
Hydrogen = 14% for a long drive.

w w w. i j r m e t. c o m International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering & Technology  51

IJRMET Vol. 5, Issue 2, May - Oct 2015 ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online) | ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print)

X. Applications
• Compressed air engines were used in trams and shunters, and
eventually found a successful niche in mining locomotives
• Transport category airplanes, such as commercial airliners,
use compressed air starters to start the main engines. The air
is supplied by the load compressor of the aircraft's auxiliary
power unit, or by ground equipment.
• There is currently some interest in developing air cars. Several
engines have been proposed for these
• Impact wrenches, drills, firearms, die grinders, dental drills and
other pneumatic tools use a variety of air engines or motors.
These include vane type pumps, turbines and pistons.
• Most successful early forms of self-propelled torpedoes used
high pressure compressed air, although this was superseded
by internal or external combustion engines, steam engines,
or electric motors.

XI. Conclusion
Thus we have developed an “AIR ENGINE” which helps to
know how to achieve compressed air vehicle. The application
of pneumatics produces smooth operation. By using more
techniques, they can be modified and developed according to
the applications.

References
[1] Automobile Engg. - N.M Aggarwal S.K.Kataria & Sons.
[2] "Advances in Automobile Engg.", S.Subramaniam Allied
Publishers Ltd.
[3] "Theory and Performance of Electrical Machines", J.B.
Gupta, S.K Kataria & Sons.
[4] "Principles of Electrical Engg & Electronics, V.K Mehta.
[5] "Engineering and Electronics", V.K.Mehta.
[6] [Online] Available: http://www.visionengineer.com
[7] [Online] Available: http://www.tpup.com
[8] [Online] Available: http://www.wikipedia.org

52 International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering & Technology w w w. i j r m e t. c o m