Re: Car powered by compressed air ... is that for real?

From: Michael S. Lorrey (retroman@turbont.net)
Date: Wed Oct 25 2000 - 12:55:49 MDT


Max M wrote:
>
> A French company called "ZERO POLLUTION MOTORS Inc." apparently has
> developed a motor that runs on compressed air. A little data:
>
> range: 200km (120 miles) for only 30 US cents.
> using 300 liters of compressed air (300 bar)
> 10 hours in an urban environment at an average speed of 80km/h.
> refill: 4 hours in a 220 V plug at home, 3 min at servicestation compressor.
> price: $10,000
> weight: 700 kg
> Max Speed: 130km/h (aprox. 85 miles/h)
>
> This technology sounds a little to good to be true, but I don't know enough
> physics to be able to se through it easily.
>
> Is it possible to compress enough air and keep it in tanks small enough to
> fit into a car?

Sure, and 300 bar is a lot of air, possibly its in liquid form by then. Venus's
atmosphere is only 90 bar. I would be worried about the safety of the tank in a
collision, I think Ralph Nader would either have a field day suing anyone making
or importing these into the country, or else expose him for his hypocrisy. A
ruptured tank would likely go off like a bomb. It would also need a battery or
oil powered heater to keep the air optimally pressurized (as air is used, the
tank and remaining gas will cool).

On a related note, I heard recently from some buddies in an R&D outfit that they
have successfully developed a nitrogen-oxygen propulsion for the USAF which
scavenges its fuel from the atmosphere, which would obviously result in planes
needing no fuel...



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