Thermodynamic Analysis of Compressed Air Vehicle Propulsion

by : European Fuel Cell Forum

The fist compressed air vehicles were built by Andraud and Tessié du Motay in
Paris between 1838 and 1840. Since then the idea has been tried again and
again, but has never reached commercialization. In recent years the French
developer MDI has demonstrated advanced compressed air vehicles. However,
the claimed performance has been questioned by car manufacturers and
automobile expert. Basically, when referred to ambient conditions, the relatively
low energy content of the compressed air in a tank of acceptable volume is
claimed to be insufficient to move even small cars over meaningful distances

On the other hand, another air car developer claims to have driven 184 km on
one 300 Liter filled with air at initially 300 bar pressure. Obviously, there are
issues to be resolved, not by heated debates, but by an analysis of the
thermodynamic processes involved. This is the aim of this study

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http://www.efcf.com/reports/E14.pdf