Visveswaraya Technological University

Jnana Sangama, Belgaum, Karnataka-590 014

A seminar synopsis on
“AIR POWERED CAR ”

In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of degree of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
In

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Submitted By
MALLIKARJUN GOUDAR
(3GU13ME020)

Under the Guidance of

Prof. SAMUEL DAYANAND

Department of Mechanical Engineering

GOVT ENGINEERING COLLEGE RAICHUR-584134
(Affiliated to Visveswaraya Technological University, Belgaum, Recognized By AICTE, New
Delhi & Approved by Govt. of Karnataka
2017-18
 AIR POWERED CAR
ABSTRACT:

Light utility vehicles are becoming very popular means of independent transportation for
short distances. Cost and pollution with petrol and diesel are leading vehicle manufacturers
to develop vehicles fueled by alternative energies. Engineers are directing their efforts to
make use of air as an energy source to run the light utility vehicles. The use of compressed air
for storing energy is a method that is not only efficient and clean, but also economical. The
major problem with compressed air cars was the lack of torque produced by the "engines"
and the cost of compressing the air. Recently several companies have started to develop
compressed air vehicles with many advantages and still many serious bottlenecks to tackle.
This paper briefly summarize the principle of technology, latest developments, advantages
and problems in using compressed air as a source of energy to run vehicles.
INTRODUCTION

An Air Car is a car that can run on compressed air alone without the use of conventional
fuels used in present day auto mobiles . The car is powered by an air engine. The air
engine is an emission-free piston engine using compressed air. The engines are similar to
steam engines as they use the expansion of externally supplied pressurised gas to perform
work against a piston. For practical application to transportation, several technical
problems must be first addressed: As the pressurised air expands, it is cooled, which limits
the efficiency. This cooling reduces the amount of energy that can be recovered by
expansion, so practical engines apply ambient heat to increase the expansion available.
Conversely, the compression of the air by pumps (to pressurise the tanks) will heat the air.
If this heat is not recovered it represents a further loss of energy and so reduces efficiency.
Storage of air at high pressure requires strong containers, which if not made of exotic
materials will be heavy, reducing vehicle efficiency, while exotic materials (such as
carbon fibre composites) tend to be expensive. Energy recovery in a vehicle during
braking by compressing air also generates heat, which must be conserved for efficiency. It
should be noted that the air engine is not truly emission-free, since the power to compress
the air initially usually involves emissions at the point of generation.
CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS

In practical terms compressed air at 300 bars is stored in the carbon fiber tanks (A). The
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.

Fig.2 Chassis of air powered car

An energy recycler (J) is under test which uses engine braking (K) to recompress air
during braking into a secondary storage facility, providing additional energy for re-start
and acceleration. Conventional hydraulic braking (L) is supplied. The vehicle can be
refilled by using the onboard compressor (M) or by refilling the tank at an air station at
(N). Ultimately the engine generates 37 Kilowatts, notwithstanding the small size of
this unit.
WORKING OF CAT`S ENGINE

The CAT’s 34 Engine is a 4-cylinder engine which will be used in cars in serial
production.

Fig CAT’s 34 Engine

This engine was developed between the end of 2001 and the beginning of 2002.In
principle the technology is very similar to the internal combustion system in that
compressed air is used to drive a piston in a barrel. The secret of the engine lies in the
way it efficiently converts the energy stored in the tanks of compressed air.Compressed
air is filled in tank at a pressure of 4350psi.An amount of compressed air is fed through
the air injector to the engine and flows to a small chamber. The air expands and the air
pushes the piston. Piston moves the crankshaft, and power is given to the vehicle.
ADVANTAGES

 Fast recharge time

 Long storage lifetime (electric vehicle batteries have a limited useful number of
cycles, and sometimes a limited calendar lifetime, irrespective of use).
 Pollution free.
 Better fuel efficiency.
 Better comfort.
 Less maintenance Low cost.

DISADVANTAGES
 Less power is produced.
 Air pumping stations are less in number.
CONCLUSION

The air car which is the result of a long research and development is a clean, easy to
drive, high performance car. MDI has achieved what the large car manufactures have
promised in a hundred years’ time. The end product is a light weight vehicle that can
reach speeds up to 220 km/h (even though the legal limit is 120), a product that does
not pollute like twentieth century vehicles and does not take a lifetime to pay off.
Essentially, MDI has developed a modern, clean, and cheap car that meets most
people’s needs. Due to using this car we can reduce the problem of fossil fuels, global
warming, pollution and we can also keep our environment clean.

The principle advantages for an air powered vehicle are:

 Fast recharge time

 Long storage lifetime (electric vehicle batteries have a limited useful number of
cycles, and sometimes a limited calendar lifetime, irrespective of use).
 Potentially lower initial cost than battery electric vehicles when mass produced.