Compressed air instead of fuel?

[Addicted2Kouki]

I was online and came across this video.
An engine built to run completely on compressed air.
No combustion.

YouTube - A car that runs 200 miles on compressed air.
Seems plausible.


Discuss.

Sorry if its a repost, but I didnt see any other about this.

[P_856]

damn seems like a good idea i wonder if it actually works

[ryguy]

Tata is making compressed air cars in India right now but theres no way they'd pass U.S. crash test standards. Plus, you gotta compress that air somehow, so its not really saving any energy. That video saying it costs $0.00 to fill the tank is bullshit, air compressors use a hell of a lot of electricity.

Plus a top speed of 60mph? Americans will never buy that.

*edit* after watching the end of that video I want to rage, that idiot commentator with his "air compressor that runs on compressed air" bullshit. The original compressed air has to some from somewhere

[spikNspan]

well you would only need enough air to start up the engine initially, once it's going it would be able to charge back up the tanks on its own power.

so basically, you never would have to refill it except for the first time the tanks are filled and put into the vehicle.

[Addicted2Kouki]

Originally Posted by ryguy

Tata is making compressed air cars in India right now but theres no way they'd pass U.S. crash test standards. Plus, you gotta compress that air somehow, so its not really saving any energy. That video saying it costs $0.00 to fill the tank is bullshit, air compressors use a hell of a lot of electricity.

Plus a top speed of 60mph? Americans will never buy that.

*edit* after watching the end of that video I want to rage, that idiot commentator with his "air compressor that runs on compressed air" bullshit. The original compressed air has to some from somewhere

Those are the kinda things I thought about too.
What would happen in a crash?

Yeah it takes electricity to fill an air compressor and electricity = money.
but I would think its cheaper than gasoline.

Top speed of 60mph isnt bad.
Tell that to people that own smart cars.
Their top speed is only 80 mph.
I've seen so many around here in socal already.

and yeah the original compressed air does need to come from somewhere.. but atleast you would never have to refill it again... EVER.

Originally Posted by spikNspan

well you would only need enough air to start up the engine initially, once it's going it would be able to charge back up the tanks on its own power.

so basically, you never would have to refill it except for the first time the tanks are filled and put into the vehicle.

pretty much.

[Pank]

Originally Posted by spikNspan

well you would only need enough air to start up the engine initially, once it's going it would be able to charge back up the tanks on its own power.

so basically, you never would have to refill it except for the first time the tanks are filled and put into the vehicle.

except that perpetual motion machines are physically impossible, due to wind resistance, electrical resistance and friction.

so no, that wouldnt work.

[kdashy]

Originally Posted by spikNspan

well you would only need enough air to start up the engine initially, once it's going it would be able to charge back up the tanks on its own power.

so basically, you never would have to refill it except for the first time the tanks are filled and put into the vehicle.

You mean something that breaks the law of conservation of energy?


I see.

[spikNspan]

ummm did you not watch it, the fuckin compressor would be powered by the engine and the compressor would charge the tanks back up so the engine could keep running. the air isn't recharging itself, it's powering another device which recharges the tanks that allow it to recharge.

also I was thinking once the vehicle is in motion the rotation of the wheels could be turned into energy used to power the compressor to recharge the tanks.

[SoguRacing]

this was on the history channel "modern marvels" about 1 month ago. good stuff.

[boske]

How much air do these motors use? An air tool can drain a couple large air tanks in a few minutes without a compressor running off electric, which isn't very efficient to begin with. As much as I like air motors for their power and reliability, they waste a lot of energy using compressed air. If your using electric to compress air your wasting energy, so I call BS.

[B Love]

You guys act like this car will be plugged into a wall usuing electricity. The alternator would be recharging the battery that the compressor will run of off. so it will constantly have compressed air at its disposal

[boske]

Originally Posted by B Love

You guys act like this car will be plugged into a wall usuing electricity. The alternator would be recharging the battery that the compressor will run of off. so it will constantly have compressed air at its disposal

I really hope that isn't their idea. It doesn't matter if its plugged into a wall or an alternator on the motor, using electric to compress air is wasting energy. You would be better off running the car itself on an electric motor instead of a compressor, but electric cars are nothing new and these guys have the new answer right

[B Love]

Originally Posted by boske

I really hope that isn't their idea. It doesn't matter if its plugged into a wall or an alternator on the motor, using electric to compress air is wasting energy. You would be better off running the car itself on an electric motor instead of a compressor, but electric cars are nothing new and these guys have the new answer right

Its most likely cheaper and easier to maintain than and electric car. also alot of the technology for batteries used in electric cars is copyrighted. So alot of small eco friendly car companies cant use those batteries even if the could afford the outrageous cost

[Pank]

Originally Posted by spikNspan

ummm did you not watch it, the fuckin compressor would be powered by the engine and the compressor would charge the tanks back up so the engine could keep running. the air isn't recharging itself, it's powering another device which recharges the tanks that allow it to recharge.

also I was thinking once the vehicle is in motion the rotation of the wheels could be turned into energy used to power the compressor to recharge the tanks.

umm, you're still a moron, thats still breaking the laws of physics.

[allntrlundrgrnd]

this actually isnt "new" technology, its been around for a couple years.

its just theres no way the cars would pass safety tests due to the very fragile construction. I think it would be awesome for like cities and whatnot, the engines actually cool the air

[!Zar!]

Only poor people worry about gas and such.

8mpg for life.

[RIMTUCK]

__________

[luftrofl]

Hooray for the perpetual motion machine! Hooray for people who don't really understand physics! Yay!

Originally Posted by B Love

You guys act like this car will be plugged into a wall usuing electricity. The alternator would be recharging the battery that the compressor will run of off. so it will constantly have compressed air at its disposal

Originally Posted by spikNspan

ummm did you not watch it, the fuckin compressor would be powered by the engine and the compressor would charge the tanks back up so the engine could keep running. the air isn't recharging itself, it's powering another device which recharges the tanks that allow it to recharge.

also I was thinking once the vehicle is in motion the rotation of the wheels could be turned into energy used to power the compressor to recharge the tanks.

[mRclARK1]

Originally Posted by spikNspan

well you would only need enough air to start up the engine initially, once it's going it would be able to charge back up the tanks on its own power.

so basically, you never would have to refill it except for the first time the tanks are filled and put into the vehicle.

Originally Posted by Pank

except that perpetual motion machines are physically impossible, due to wind resistance, electrical resistance and friction.

so no, that wouldnt work.

Originally Posted by kdashy

You mean something that breaks the law of conservation of energy?


I see.

Originally Posted by luftrofl

Hooray for the perpetual motion machine! Hooray for people who don't really understand physics! Yay!

Physics is for chumps remember?

[SexPanda]

Not a bad idea in theory. Juct give it a few years to get the technology a little more advanced. Imagine a high efficiency solar panal on the roof running a compressor to charge the tanks. 500+ miles on a full tank, then when you get home, plug it into your wall socket to completely charge the tank.

And if your wall sockets power comes from solar power or wind power, damn your set!

Only thing is... If you've ever been near an air compressor, those things are LOUD.

[Future240]

Originally Posted by RIMTUCK

Wow, you get pretty good gas mileage! ... what's your secret?

The extra gas from his car comes from dead babies, shhhh dont tell anyone


Oh and air car, hm maybe in 15 years, cuz right now, eh 60mph doesnt even meet highway legal speeds, so it would be a no go for most of america, however make that lil bitch go 80-110, keep it small and unattractive, convince people it beats the shit out of gas and electric cars when it comes to saving the planet, give a hellascious price that makes sure only richy fucks who think the new cool is pretending to care about the environment can afford it and it will sell like hell.

[murda-c]

I used an orphan.

[B Love]

Originally Posted by luftrofl

Hooray for the perpetual motion machine! Hooray for people who don't really understand physics! Yay!

Ok Mr. Automotive physics major explain to me the downfalls of this system?

[RIMTUCK]

__________

[Pank]

Originally Posted by B Love

Ok Mr. Automotive physics major explain to me the downfalls of this system?

Well the major downfall would be that it wouldnt work at all

[murda-c]

Iunno a bunch of engineers at Tata motors seem to think it's worth investing in.

[Matej]

I'm going to break the laws of physics by putting a hydroelectric mill in a pond and it would also power a pump that keeps dumping water on the wheel forever and ever and ever.

[B Love]

Originally Posted by Pank

Well the major downfall would be that it wouldnt work at all

Really because Im pretty sure it shows a car and a motor working in the video. A small compressor being powered by the battery can constantly refill the air tanks. So explain to me what would stop this idea from working?

[murda-c]

Originally Posted by B Love

Really because Im pretty sure it shows a car and a motor working in the video. A small compressor being powered by the battery can constantly refill the air tanks. So explain to me what would stop this idea from working?

Well that is less effiecent than just having the compressor motor directly connected to the drivetrain.

[B Love]

Originally Posted by murda-c

Well that is less effiecent than just having the compressor motor directly connected to the drivetrain.

If that were the case it would be an ELECTRIC car. And you will need more current in order to create enough power to turn the axles or driveshaft or whatever parts of the drivetrain you are trying to turn. This would need alot more higher powered batteries, also these batteries would need to recharge. So in all actuality it is more efficient cost and time wise