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The Air Car Scott McNally Chemical Engineering The University of Texas Fall 2007
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Outline The Cars Air Tanks Thermodynamics –Does it make sense? –Is it even possible? Summary and Conclusion
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The Engine Compressor efficiency: 80-90% These engines are compressors in reverse
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MDI: Moteur Developpment International Weight: 750 Kg Max load: 500 Kg Range: 150 miles Top speed: 68 mph Recharge time: 3 minutes
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Filling the Tanks Costs $2 in electricity Filling stations –3 minutes using volume transfer –These stations don’t exist Home compressor –4 hrs in Europe –8 hrs in U.S.
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Thermodynamics 300 Liters at 300 Bar –Full tank weight: 200 Kg –43,600 Btu required for filling –40,000 max output Gasoline: 110,000 Btu/Gal Equivalent: 0.4 gallons of gasoline
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Thermodynamics Honda Civic Hybrid: 45 mpg, 1100 kg –Gas engine: 20% efficient At 100% efficiency: 225 mpg 0.4 gallons: 90 miles Advertised numbers are flawed Tank size needs to be doubled –Increase weight by 200 kg –Not a big deal
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Thermal Efficiency High thermal efficiency –Power plant: biggest loss at 50% –Transmission line loss: 7% –Compressor: 10-20% –Air engine with regenerative braking: 170% Impossible –Overall efficiency: 40% –Electrical efficiency: 70%
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Summary - Benefits Cheap –3,500 euro sticker price –A few dollars to fill up and maintain –Free Air Conditioning Higher thermal efficiency
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Summary - Drawbacks Less safe: Fiberglass and glue Low power, tank bleed off Shorter range Infrastructure problem
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Conclusion Possible Good for city driving Short range forever Not likely to be successful in U.S.
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References The Air Car. 2007. Moteur Developpment International. 17 Nov. 2007. Thehttp://www.theaircar.com/ World’s First Air Car. 2007. Popular Mechanics. 17 Nov. 2007.http://www.popularmechanics.com/aut omotive/new_cars/42...
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