"Air Powered Car - Future of Transportation": A Seminar Report On
"Air Powered Car - Future of Transportation": A Seminar Report On
"Air Powered Car - Future of Transportation": A Seminar Report On
A Seminar Report On
Submitted By:
GANESH N. NAIK
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL
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DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL
CERTIFICATE
This Is to Certify that Mr. GANESH N. NAIK. Roll No. 1823 of 6th Semester Diploma in
Mechanical Engineering has completed the seminar work satisfactory towards Fulfillment of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
GANESH N. NAIK
(T.Y.M.E)
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INDEX
➢ Introduction
➢ How Do Air Engines Work
➢ How Compressed Air Can Fuel A Car
➢ Compressed Air Tanks
➢ Break Power Recovery
➢ The Body, The Chassis, The Air Filter
➢ Electrical System
➢ Technology Description
➢ Process Description
➢ Technology Overview
➢ working
➢ Gear Box, Distribution And Valves, Moto-Alternator
➢ Basic Principles Of Compressed Air Technology Engine
➢ The Dual Energy System
➢ Cryogenic Heat Engine
➢ New Models, New Applications
➢ Refilling Methods For Air Cars
➢ Refilling At A Service-station
➢ How Air Cars Helps To Reduce Pollution
➢ Advantages Of Air Car
➢ Disadvantages Of Air Car
➢ Comparison With Competition
➢ A Car That Runs On Air, In India Soon
➢ Conclusion
➢ References
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INTRODUCTION
We know that our world is facing fuel crisis now. All kinds of
conventional source of fuels are on the verge of exhaustion. Gasoline which has been the main
source of fuel for the history of cars is becoming more and more expensive and impractical
(especially from an environmental standpoint). These factors are leading car manufacturers to
develop cars fueled by alternative energies. Two hybrid cars took to the road in 2000 and in three
or four years fuel-cell-powered cars will roll onto the world's highways.
While gasoline prices in the United States have not yet reached their
highest point ($2.66/gallon in 1980), they have climbed steeply in the past two years. In 1999,
prices rose by 30 percent, and from December 1999 to October 2000, prices rose an additional 20
percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Europe, prices are even higher,
costing more than $4 in countries like England and the Netherlands. But cost is not the only
problem with using gasoline as our primary fuel. It is also damaging to the environment, and
since it is not a renewable resource, it will eventually run out. One possible alternative is the
AIR-POWERED CAR.
Air powered cars runs on compressed air instead of gasoline. This car is
powered by a two cylinder compressed engine. This engine can run either on compressed air
alone or act as an IC engine. Compressed air is stored in glass or fiber tanks at a pressure of 4351
psi.
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Within the next two years, you could see the first air-powered vehicle
motoring through your town. Most likely, it will be the evolution car that is being built by Zero
Pollution Motors.
The cars have generated a lot of interest in recent years, and the Mexican
government has already signed a deal to buy 40,000 evolutions to replace gasoline- and diesel-
powered taxis in the heavily polluted Mexico City.
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➢ The engine is powered by compressed air, stored in a carbon-fiber tank at 30 MPa (4500
psi). The tank is made of carbon fiber in order to reduce its weight.
➢ The engine has injection similar to normal engines, but uses special crankshafts and
pistons, which remain at top dead centre for about 70 degrees of the crankshaft’s cycle;
this allows more power to be developed in the engine.
➢ The expansion of this air pushes the pistons and creates movement. The atmospheric
temperature is used to re-heat the engine and increase the road coverage.
➢ The air conditioning system makes use of the expelled cold air
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In practical terms compressed air at 300 bars is stored in the carbon fiber
tanks A. Air is released through the main line firstly to an alternator B where the first stage of
decompression takes place. The now cold air passes through a heat exchanger C which adds
thermal energy to the air and provides a convenient opportunity for air conditioning D.
The warmed compressed air now passes to the motor E. where a two more
stages of decompression and re-heating take place. The motor drives the rear axle G through the
transmission F. Control of engine speed is through a conventional accelerator pedal H controlling
a valve within the motor.
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Compressed air tanks are one of the major parts of these cars. These tanks
hold 90 cubic meters of air compressed to 300 bars. It is similar to the tanks used to carry the
liquid gas used by buses for public transport. The tanks enjoy the same technology developed to
contain natural gas. They are designed and officially approved to carry an explosive product:
methane gas.
In the case of a major accident, where the tanks are ruptured, they would
not explode since they are not metal. Instead they would crack, as they are made of carbon fiber.
An elongated crack would appear in the tank, without exploding, and the air would simply
escape, producing a loud but harmless noise. Of course, since this technology is licensed to
transport an inflammable and explosive gas (Natural gas), it is perfectly capable inoffensive and
non-flammable air.
The MDI vehicles will be equipped with a range of modern systems. For
example, one mechanism stops the engine when the car is stationary (at traffic lights, junctions etc).
Another interesting feature is the pneumatic system which recovers about 13% of the power used.
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THE BODY
➢ The MDI car body is built with fiber and injected foam, as are most of the cars on the
market today.
➢ Nowadays the use of sheet steel for car bodies is only because of cost - it is cheaper to
serially produce sheet steel bodies than fiber ones.
➢ However, fiber is safer (it doesn't cut like steel), is easier to repair (it is glued), doesn't
rust etc.
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THE CHASSIS
➢ Based on its experience in aeronautics, MDI has put together highly-resistant, yet light,
chassis, aluminum rods glued together.
➢ Using rods enables us to build a more shock-resistant chassis than regular chassis.
➢ Additionally, the rods are glued in the same way as aircraft, allowing quick assembly and
a more secure join than with welding. This system helps to reduce manufacture time.
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➢ The engine works with both air taken from the atmosphere and air pre-compressed in
tanks. Air is compressed by the on-board compressor or at service stations equipped with
a high-pressure compressor.
➢ Before compression, the air must be filtered to get rid of any impurities that could
damage the engine. Carbon filters are used to eliminate dirt, dust, humidity and other
particles which, unfortunately, are found in the air in our cities.
➢ This represents a true revolution in automobiles - it is the first time that a car has
produced minus pollution, i.e. it eliminates’ and reduces existing pollution rather than
emitting dirt and harmful gases. The exhaust pipe on the cars produces clean air, which is
cold on exit (between -15º and 0º) and is harmless to human life. With this system the air
that comes out of the car is cleaner than the air that went in.
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
➢ Guy Negre, inventor of the MDI Air Car, acquired the patent for an interesting invention
for installing electrics in a vehicle.
➢ Using a radio transmission system, each electrical component receives signals with a
microcontroller.
➢ Thus only one cable is needed for the whole car. So, instead of wiring each component
(headlights, dashboard lights, lights inside the car, etc), one cable connects all electrical
parts in the car.
➢ The most obvious advantages are the ease of installation and repair and the removal of
the approximately 22 kg of wires no longer necessary.
➢ The entire system becomes an anti-theft alarm as soon as the key is removed from the
car.
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TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
The following is the technology description of the actual functionality of the motor.
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PROCESS DESCRIPTION
1. The first piston takes in ambient air and compresses it to approximately 300 psi and
200*f in the compression chamber during the first cycle of the engine
2. When the piston pause, a small amount of compressed air from the tanks is released into
the expansion chamber to create a low pressured, low temperature volume of about 140psi.
3. Shortly before the valve to the exhaust cylinder is opened, a high-speed shutter connects
the compression and expansion chambers. The sudden pressure and temperature difference
between the low chambers creates pressure waves in the expansion chamber, thereby
producing work in the exhaust chamber that drives the piston to power the engine.
The air tanks for storing the compressed air are localized underneath the
vehicle. They are constructed of reinforced carbon fiber with a thermoplastic liner. Each tank
can hold 3,180 ft3 of air at a pressure of up to 4,300 psi. When connected to a special compressor
station, the tanks can be recharged within 3-4 minutes. They can also be recharged using the on-
board compressor 3-4 hours after connecting to a standard power outlet.
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TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
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The car engine runs on compressed air and incorporates the three laws of thermodynamics.
1. The first law states that energy can neither be destroyed nor be wasted.
2. The second law describes the disorder within substances.
3. The third law defines that only in crystals at 0o k, there is absolute disorder.
The car incorporates these laws of thermodynamics in the following way. First, the
pressure that is created within on-board tanks during compression is in direct proportion to the
energy that has been stored in it. This process is equivalent to the energy stored in a wire spring
when it is compressed. Furthermore, thermal energy is dissipating from the system, thereby
lowering the temperature of a compressed gas volume that expands. This process is equivalent to
harnessing energy that has been stored.
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WORKING
Air powered cars run on compressed air instead of gasoline. Since the car is
working on air there is no pollution. A two cylinder, compressed air engine, powers the car. The
engine can run either on compressed air alone or act as an internal combustion engine.
Compressed air is stored in fiber or glass fiber tanks at a pressure of 4351 pounds per square inch.
The air is fed through an air injector to the engine and flows into a small chamber, which expands
the air. The air pushing down on the piston moves the crankshaft, which gives the vehicle power.
This car is also working on a hybrid version of their engine that can run on
traditional fuel in combination with air. The change of energy source is controlled electronically.
When the car is moving at speeds below 60kph,it runs on air. At higher speeds, it runs on a fuel
such as gasoline diesel or natural gas.
Air tanks fixed to the underside of the vehicle can hold about 79 gallons
(300 litres) of air. This compressed air can fuel the car upto 200km at a top speed of
96.5kph.When the tank nears empty it can be refilled at the nearest air pump. The car motors
require a small amount of oil about 0.8 litres worth that have to change just every 50,000km.
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GEAR BOX
Gear changes are automatic, powered by an electronic system device. A computer which
controls the speed of the car is effectively continuously changing gears. The latest of many
previous versions, this gearbox achieves the objective of seamless changes and minimal energy
consumption.
To ensure smooth running and to optimize energy efficiency, engines use a simple
electromagnetic distribution system which controls the flow of air into the engine. This system
runs on very little energy and alters neither the valve phase nor its rise.
MOTO-ALTERNATOR
The moto-alternator connects the engine to the gearbox. It has many functions:
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The engine has four stage pistons that are 8 compression and or expansion
chambers. They have two functions:
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The engine can be equipped with and run on dual engines. Fossil fuels and
compressed air and incorporate a reheating mechanism between the storage tank and the engine.
This mechanism allows the engine to run exclusively on fossil fuel, which permits compatible
autonomy on the road. While the car is running on the fossil fuel, the compressor air tanks. The
control system maintains a zero pollution emission in the city at speeds upto 60 km per hour.
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➢ An economizer that heats the liquid nitrogen with leftover exhaust heat.
➢ A heat exchanger that boils the liquid nitrogen, creating a high pressure gas.
Nitrogen gas formed in the heat exchanger expands to about 700 times the
volume of its liquid form. This highly pressurized gas is then fed to the expander, where the force
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of the nitrogen gas is converted into mechanical power by pushing on the engine's pistons. The
only exhaust is nitrogen, and since nitrogen is a major part of the atmosphere, the car gives off
little pollution. However, the cars may not reduce pollution
as much as you think. While no pollution exits the car, the pollution may be shifted to another
location. As with the evolution car, the LN2000 requires electricity to compress the air. That use
of electricity means there is some amount of pollution produced somewhere else. Some of the
leftover heat in the engine's exhaust is cycled back through the engine to the economizer, which
preheats the nitrogen before it enters the heat exchanger, increasing efficiency. Two fans at the
rear of the vehicle draw in air through the heat exchanger to enhance the transfer of heat to the
liquid nitrogen.
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Though air powered cars are meant mainly for individual consumers in
urban areas most of the early adopters will be businesses like taxi services and local transport.
Also products are manufactured for the retail and fleet customer market
and are mainly used for local transportation. Each vehicle is equipped with the same type of
engine power output of 25HP with a maximum speed of 68mph.
➢ Description: A spacious car with seats which can face different directions. The vehicles
design is based on needs of typical family
➢ Features: Airbag, air conditioning, 6 seats (Refer figure no. 6.1)
Family car
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(2) Van:
➢ Description: Design for daily use in industrial urban or rural environments whose primary
drivers would be tradesmen farmers and delivery drivers.
➢ Features : Airbag, air conditioning, 2 seats, 1.5 m3 (Refer figure no. 6.2)
Van
(3) Taxi:
➢ Description: Inspired by London taxi with numerous ergonomic and comfort advantages
for the passenger as well as drivers.
➢ Features : Airbag, air conditioning, 6 seats (Figure no. 6.3)
Taxi
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➢ Description: The Pleasure car designed for excursions outdoor sports or water sports.
Also suitable for small business & tradesmen
➢ Features : Airbag, air conditioning, 6 seats (Figure no. 6.4)
Pick up car
5) Maximum load: 500 Kg 6) Recharge time: 4hr (mains) & 3min (at stn)
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5) Minicat:
➢ Description: The smallest and most innovative: three seats, minimal dimensions with the
boot of a saloon: a great challenge for such a small car which runs on compressed air.
The Minicat is the city car of the future.
➢ Features: Airbag, air conditioning, ABS, 3 seats, 1.5 m3. (Figure no. 6.5)
Minicat
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In the mains
Tanks are refilled by plugging the car into a mains socket to feed the
motor-alternator which compresses the air with the motor-compressor.
For:
REFILLING AT A SERVICE-STATION
➢ As the energy is so easy to store, MDI anticipates the installation of air stations
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➢ Nitrogen oxides - Because of the pressure and temperature inside a cylinder, nitrogen and
oxygen in the air combine in various ways.
➢ Unburned hydrocarbons - not all of the hydrocarbons participate in the reaction because
there is so little time available during the combustion phase.
➢ As about gasoline is the main source of pollution, if we use compressed air instead of
gasoline then we can improve environment.
➢ As we know that nitrogen is the main constituent of environment, in case of air car we
extract nitrogen from environment, liquefy it and used as fuel in car, then there will be
nitrogen, only the exhaust gas which is not harmful to human being and environment. By
using liquid nitrogen (compressed air) in car, we can reduce pollution up to 70-80%.
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➢ Refueling can be done at home using an air compressor or at service stations. The energy
required for compressing air is produced at large centralized plants, making it less costly
and more effective to manage carbon emissions than from individual vehicles.
➢ Compressed air engines reduce the cost of vehicle production by about 20%, because
there is no need to build a cooling system, spark plugs, starter motor, or mufflers.
➢ The rate of self-discharge is very low opposed to batteries that deplete their charge slowly
over time. Therefore, the vehicle may be left unused for longer periods of time than
electric cars.
➢ Expansion of the compressed air lowers its temperature; this may be exploited for use as
air conditioning.
➢ Compressed-air vehicles emit few pollutants, mostly dust from brake and tire wear.
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DISADVANTAGES
➢ Any conversion of energy between forms results in loss. For conventional combustion
motor cars, the energy is lost when oil is converted to usable fuel - including drilling,
refinement, labor, storage, eventually transportation to the end-user. For compressed-air
cars, energy is lost when electrical energy is converted to compressed air.
➢ Tanks get warm when filled rapidly. It would be difficult to cool the tanks efficiently
while charging and thus it would either take a long time to fill the tanks, or they would
have to take less than a full charge (since heat drives up the pressure).
➢ Refueling the compressed air container using a home or low-end conventional air
compressor may take as long as 4 hours though the specialized equipment at service
stations may fill the tanks in only 3 minutes.
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➢ Although there is no official word on when the car will be commercially manufactured
for India, reports say that it will be sooner.
➢ The car could cost around Rs 350,000 in India and would have a range of around 300
km between refuels. The cost of a refill would be about Rs 90.
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CONCLUSION
From all the disruption made one can say that by using air car there is
reduction in air pollution. The emission benefits of introducing this zero emission
technology are obvious. Also, the aim of project is to cut cost, create job locally. Also air
car provides an answer to the shortage of fuel and high price of fuel.
With petrol and diesel prices going up and the price of oil subjects to
fluctuation for motorist, this becomes headache; use of air motor is only the solution. All
know that there will be shortage of gasoline (petrol, diesel), in future, engine that runs on
compressed air is only the alternative for it.
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REFERENCES
➢ www.theaircar.com
➢ www.howstuffworks.com
➢ www.zeropollution.com
➢ www.technologyreview.com
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