ABSTRACT

In the present energy scenario the fossil fuel sources are fast depleting and
their combustion products are causing global environmental problems. There are
couples of option of alternative fuel such as solar power, tidal power, geo-thermal
power, etc. and one of them is Compressed Air. Compressed Air Powered Engine
is an alternative technology which uses compressed air to run the engine and thus
eliminates the use of fossil fuels. Exhaust temperature of it will be slightly less
than atmospheric temperature (i.e. 20-25°C) and thus helps in controlling global
warming and reducing temperature rise caused due to other means.

Air Engine can be used to produce power to run automobile, generators etc.
This paper review contains study of a compressed air engine. This engine does not
require any of the fossil fuels like petrol, diesel, CNG, hydrogen etc. to run engine
and no power is required to start the engine, only, and compressed air valve is to be
opened. It is pollution free and 100% eco-friendly.

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Fossil fuels (i.e., petroleum, diesel, natural gas and coal) which meet most of
the world's energy demand today are being depleted rapidly. Also, their
combustion products are causing global problems, such as the greenhouse effect,
ozone layer depletion acid rains and pollution which are posing great danger for
environment and eventually for the total life on planet. These factors are leading
automobile manufactures to develop cars fueled by alternatives energies. Hybrid
cars, Fuel cell powered cars, Hydrogen fueled cars will be soon in the market as a
result of it. One possible alternative is the air powered car. Air, which is
abundantly available and is free from pollution, can be compressed to higher
pressure at a very low cost, is one of the prime option since atmospheric pollution
can be permanently eradicated. Compressed air utilization in the pneumatic
application has been long proven. Air motors, pneumatic actuators and others
various pneumatic equipments are in use. Compressed air was also used in some of
vehicle for boosting the initial torque. Turbo charging has become one of the
popular techniques to enhance power and improve the efficiencies of the
automotive engine that completely runs on compressed air.

1.1. SCARCITY OF FOSSIL FUELS:

Fossil fuels, as the name suggests, are very old. Although humans probably
used fossil fuels in ancient times, as far back as the Iron Age, it was the Industrial
Revolution that led to their wide scale extraction. About 100 years ago, the major
source of energy shifted from recent solar to fossil fuel (hydrocarbons).
Technology has generally led to a greater use of hydrocarbon fuels, making
civilization vulnerable to decreases in supply. The current study made in the year

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2004, predicts that if the oil is consumed at the current rates, then by 2020, we will
be consuming 80% of the entire available resource.

1.2. INFLUENCE OF FOSSIL FUEL ON ENVIRONMENT:

It is observed that with increasing pace of civilization, uses of transport have

become essential part of life and increasing in geometrical progression. This is
leading to very hazardous condition due to high rate of pollution. Many of the
environmental problems our generation faces today result from our fossil fuel
dependence. These impacts include global warming, air quality deterioration, oil
spills, and acid rain.

Emissions from an individual car are generally low, relative to the smokestack
image many people associate with air pollution. But in numerous cities across the
country, the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter, as emissions from
millions of vehicles on the road add up. Driving a private car is probably a typical
citizen’s most “polluting” daily activity. Gasoline and diesel fuels are mixtures of
hydrocarbons, compounds which contain hydrogen and carbon atoms. In a
“perfect” engine, oxygen in the air would convert all the hydrogen in the fuel to
water and all the carbon in the fuel to carbon dioxide. Nitrogen in the air would
remain unaffected. In reality, the combustion process cannot be “perfect,” and
automotive engines emit several types of pollutions like CO, NOx, SO2, Volatile
Organic Compounds, and O3 etc.

1.3. INFLUENCE OF FOSSIL FUEL ON ECONOMY:

Oil, the master energy resource, is the driver of economic growth. But our
financial system is wired for economic growth. This is the challenge. It is structural
change that is needed. Over the last 150 years relatively cheap oil has enabled
economic growth to happen. It has transformed agricultural methods, enabled

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world population to grow, and powered transport. So now, not only are we
required to adapt to life with less oil, but the very enabler of economic growth - is
becoming more and more unaffordable.

Our economy may well recover somewhat, but that recovery will lead to increased
oil use, which leads to increased prices, which will lead to another economic
contraction. And this cycle will repeat – with each subsequent recovery being
weaker than the last. So no amount of optimism or wishful thinking can bring back
economic growth. Future economic growth will be impeded by the depletion of
critical, natural resources, the increased costs of extraction and its associated
negative environmental impacts, and ever mounting debt. This is not a temporary
phenomenon, it is the start of a long series of cyclical recessions, and it signifies
the end of growth. It is a great disruption to our normal patterns.

1.4. SEARCH FOR AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL:

Many research works are being carried out to find the alternative to fossil fuel.
Alternative fuels, known as non-conventional or advanced fuels, are any materials
or substances that can be used as fuels, other than conventional fuels. Conventional
fuels include: fossil fuels (petroleum (oil), coal, and natural gas). Some well-
known alternative fuels include biodiesel, bioalcohol (methanol, ethanol, butanol),
chemically stored electricity (batteries and fuel cells), hydrogen, non-fossil
methane, non-fossil natural gas, vegetable oil, propane, and other biomass sources.
Compressed Air is one of the important and freely available alternative fuels.

1.5. FOSSIL FUEL: CONTEXT TO INDIA:

India is developing country. Still per capita income of average person is very low
to meet out the minimum requirement of person. Maximum population of country
is still living in villages. There transport is still either bi-cycle or Motor Bike.

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Current hike of fossil fuel is going tremendously high up to 30-40 % every year.
With this pace up to 2010 prices may go double than what is today and by 2030-
40, it may fetch to Rs.1000 per litre. A time will come when common person
would not be able to purchase fuel to even run the Motor-Bike. It is not only due to
rate of increase of vehicles in India. It is worldwide problem that 80 % of fossil
fuel is being consumed in transport with increasing mobility of persons to day and
daily consumable materials are being transported through Road Transport. Thus it
is need of day to explore possibility of alternative for fossil fuel to make
environment free from emission & make children healthy.

With high rate of consumption of fossil fuel it also necessary to make

sustainable energy or in other words of our Hon. PRESIDENT of INDIA Dr. APJ
Abdul Kalam make INDIA energy freedom by 2030, which he has spoken in his
speech on the eve of 14th Aug.’2005 of Independence day. So we need a focus on
Alternative Fuel Research.

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 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

Latest studies and projections available indicate that the crises of fossil fuel in near
future is inevitable and alternative to fossil fuel must be looked for. Some of the
studies made in this regard are detailed ahead.

1. When the wells run dry, we use more oil than we find, and if producers are
fixing their figures the end could be closer than thought, by Adam Porter, The
Guardian [2005 May 25]

"Predicting the end of the age of oil can be a sticky business. The Association for
the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (Aspo), a collection of industry figures, politicians
and academics, this week held its annual meeting at the Gulbenkian Museum in
Lisbon..."

2. Peaking of World Oil Production: Impacts, Mitigation, & Risk Management, by

Robert L. Hirsch, SAIC, Roger Bezdek, MISI, Robert Wendling, MISI for the
National Energy Technology Laboratory of the US Department of Energy [2005
February]

"The peaking of world oil production presents the U.S. and the world with an
unprecedented risk management problem. As peaking is approached, liquid fuel
prices and price volatility will increase dramatically, and, without timely
mitigation, the economic, social, and political costs will be unprecedented. Viable
mitigation options exist on both the supply and demand sides, but to have
substantial impact, they must be initiated more than a decade in advance of
peaking."

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3. Expert says Saudi oil may have peaked, by Adam Porter [2005 February 22]:
"As oil prices remain above $45 a barrel, a major market mover has cast a
worrying future prediction. Energy investment banker Matthew Simmons, of
Simmons & Co International, has been outspoken in his warnings about peak oil
before. His new statement is his strongest yet, 'we may have already passed peak
oil."

4. U.S. Energy Policy: A Declaration of Interdependence, by David J. O'Reilly

Chairman and CEO, ChevronTexaco Corporation [2005 February 15] "Simply put,
the era of easy access to energy is over. In part, this is because we are experiencing
the convergence of geological difficulty with geopolitical instability... We are
seeing the beginnings of a bidding war for Mideast supplies between East and
West."

5. New Oil Projects Cannot Meet World Needs This Decade, by Oil Depletion
Analysis Centre [2004 November 16] "World oil supplies are all but certain to
remain tight through the rest of this decade, unless there is a precipitous drop in
demand, according to the results of a study by the London-based Oil Depletion
Analysis Centre (ODAC). "The study found that all of the major new oil-recovery
projects scheduled to come on stream over the next six years are unlikely to boost
supplies enough to meet the world’s growing needs.

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 CHAPTER 3

COMPRESSED AIR: A GREEN FUTURE

3.1 COMPRESSED AIR:

Compressed air is a gas, or a combination of gases, that has been put under
greater pressure than the air in the general environment. Current applications using
compressed air are numerous and diverse, including jackhammers, tire pumps, air
rifles, and aerosol cheese. According to proponents, compressed air also has a great
deal of potential as a clean, inexpensive, and infinitely renewable energy source.
Its use is currently being explored as an alternative to fossil fuels.

3.2 BASIC PRINCIPLE: THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS:

Compressed air is clean, safe, simple and efficient. There are no dangerous
exhaust fumes of or other harmful by products when compressed air is used as a
utility. It is a non-combustible, nonpolluting utility. When air at atmospheric
pressure is mechanically compressed by a compressor, the transformation of air at
1 bar (atmospheric pressure) into air at higher pressure (up to 414 bar) is
determined by the laws of thermodynamics. They state that an increase in pressure
equals a rise in heat and compressing air creates a proportional increase in heat.
Boyle's law explains that if a volume of a gas (air) halves during compression, then
the pressure is doubled.

Charles' law states that the volume of a gas changes in direct proportion to
the temperature. These laws explain that pressure, volume and temperature are
proportional; change one variable and one or two of the others will also change,
according to this equation:

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(P1 V1) / T1 = (P2 V2)/T2

Compressed air is normally used in pressure ranges from 1 bar to 414 bar
(14 to 6004 PSI) at various flow rates from as little as 0.1 m (3.5 CFM - cubic feet
per minute) and up.

3.3 AVAILABILITY:

Air is natural source and available freely in atmosphere, which can be stored
after compressing it to desired pressure. This is the only source which can be
stored at very high pressure and can be retained without any loss after lapse of
passage of time, which can drive so many domestic appliances such as vacuum
cleaner, mixy and pumps, running Power generator when electric power is off
instead of using inverter to have clumsy arrangements of battery etc.

3.4 COMPRESSED AIR TO FUEL A CAR:

It is hard to believe that compressed air can be used to drive vehicles.

However that is true, and the “air car”, as it is popularly known, has caught the
attention of researchers worldwide. It has zero emissions and is ideal for city
driving conditions. MDI is one company that holds the international patents for the
compressed air car.

A proved fact: “Research by MDI shows that an Air Powered Car can travel
171 km by using electricity costing about Rs. 80-100 which would cost about Rs.
570 for a normal S.I. engine car giving an average of 15 kmpl.”

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 CHAPTER 4
WORKING OF AIR ENGINE

A compressed-air vehicle is powered by an air engine, using compressed air,

which is stored in a tank. Instead of mixing fuel with air and burning it in the
engine to drive pistons with hot expanding gases, compressed air vehicles use the
expansion of compressed air to drive their pistons. The complete cycle of a two-
stroke air engine is as shown in figure 4.2.

When the piston is at the top position (Fig. 4.2a) its spindle opens the ball
valve, the compressed air fills the space of cylinder. The air exerts pressure on
surface of the piston, causing its movement down and rotate the crankshaft (Fig.
4.2b). The valve closes when piston is moving down, but the air is still expanding
and exerts a force on the piston. In the lower turning point (Fig. 4.2c) piston is
opening outlet window and releasing air outside. Exhaust temperature of it will be
slightly less than atmospheric temperature (i.e. 20-25°C) and thus helps in
controlling global warming and reducing temperature rise caused due to other
means.

The shaft is starting to move by inertia (Fig. 4.2d) then pushes the piston to
the top and closing the off window. In the cylinder are small amounts of air, so the
piston moves upwards until it will again open the ball valve and the cycle repeats.

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Fig.4.2. Complete Cycle of Two Stroke Air Engine

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 CHAPTER 5

CONSTRUCTION

The construction of compressed air engine mainly consists of pneumatic

cylinder, pneumatic solenoid valve, compressor and crank shaft.

A typical layout of an Air engine is as shown in figure 5.

Fig.5. layout of Air Engine

The main components of the Compressed Air Engine are as follows-

5.1. PNEUMATICS ACTUATORS:

Pneumatic actuators are the devices used for converting pressure energy of
compressed air into the mechanical energy to perform useful work. In other words,
Actuators are used to perform the task of exerting the required force at the end of
the stroke or used to create displacement by the movement of the piston. The
pressurised air from the compressor is supplied to reservoir. The pressurised air

12
from storage is supplied to pneumatic actuator to do work. The air cylinder is a
simple and efficient device for providing linear thrust or straight line motions with
a rapid speed of response. Friction losses are low, seldom exceeds 5 % with a
cylinder in good condition, and cylinders are particularly suitable for single
purpose applications and /or where rapid movement is required. They are also
suitable for use under conditions which preclude the employment of hydraulic
cylinders that is at high ambient temperature of up to 200 to 250 Their chief
limitation is that the elastic nature of the compressed air makes them unsuitable for
powering movement where absolutely steady forces or motions are required
applied against a fluctuating load, or where extreme accuracy of feed is necessary.
The air cylinder is also inherently limited in thrust output by the relatively low
supply pressure so that production of high output forces can only be achieved by a
large size of the cylinders.

Fig.5.1. Pneumatic Actuator

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TYPES OF PNEUMATICS ACTUATORS:

Pneumatic cylinders can be used to get linear, rotary and oscillatory motion.
There are three types of pneumatic actuator: they are

i) Linear Actuator or Pneumatic cylinders

ii) Rotary Actuator or Air motors

iii) Limited angle Actuators

5.1.1. LINEAR ACTUATOR OR PNEUMATIC CYLINDERS:

Linear actuators are utilized throughout the industrial sector, in factory

automation, transportation, packaging, life sciences and much more.
Pneumatic linear actuators are engineered to convert compressed air into a linear
motion, most commonly with a piston rod extending and retracting, but can also be
designed with a carriage that moves on the cylinder tube or guideway.

5.1.2. Rotary Actuator or Air motors:

Rotary actuators are the hydraulic or pneumatic equivalents of electric

motors. For a given torque, or power, a rotary actuator is more compact than an
equivalent motor, cannot be damaged by an indefinite stall and can safely be used
in an explosive atmosphere. For variable speed applications, the complexity and
maintenance requirements of a rotary actuator are similar to a thyristor-controlled
DC drive, but for fixed speed applications, the AC induction motor (which can, for
practical purposes, be fitted and forgotten) is simpler to install and maintain.

5.1.3. Limited angle Actuators:

The limited angle rotary actuator is applied when the shaft has to rotate over
a limited angle. The animation shows how this simple actuator works: in this case

14
the shaft can rotate over an angle of about 270 degrees. This type of actuator is,
among others, used as a rotator actuator on (small) cranes and excavators.

5.2. VALVES:

Valve are defined as devices to control or regulate the commencement,

termination and direction and also the pressure or rate of flow of a fluid under
pressure which is delivered by a compressor or vacuum pump or is stored in a
vessel.

Fig.5.2. 5/3 way Hand Lever Valve

Values of one sort or another, perform three main function in pneumatic

installation

 They control the supply of air to power units, example cylinders

 They provide signal which govern the sequence of operation

 They act as interlock and safety devices

The type of valve used is of little importance in a pneumatic control for most
part. What is important is the function that can be initiated with the valves, its

15
mode of actuation and line connection size, the last named characteristics also
determining the flow size of the valve. Valves used in pneumatics mainly have a
control function that is when they act on some process, operation or quantity to be
stopped. A control function requires control energy, it being desirable to achieve
the greatest possible effect with the least effort. The form of control energy will be
dictated by the valve’s mode of actuation and may be manual, mechanical,
electrical hydraulic or pneumatic.

Valve available for pneumatic control can be classified into four principal
groups according to their function:

1. Direction control valve

2. Non return valves

3. Flow control valves

4. Pressure control valves

5.2.1. DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES:

Pneumatic systems like hydraulic system also require control valves to direct
and regulate the flow of fluid from the compressor to the various devices like air
actuators and air motors. In order to control the movement of air actuators,
compressed air has to be regulated, controlled and reversed with a predetermined
sequence. Pressure and flow rates of the compressed air to be controlled to obtain
the desired level of force and speed of air actuators. The function of directional
control valve is to control the direction of flow in the pneumatic circuit. DCVs are
used to start, stop and regulate the direction of air flow and to help in the
distribution of air in the required line.

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5.2.2. NON RETURN VALVES:

Non return valves permit flow of air in one direction only, the other
direction through the valve being at all times blocked to the air flow. Mostly the
valves are designed so that the check is additionally loaded by the downstream air
pressure, thus supporting the non-return action.

Among the various types of non-return valves available, those preferentially

employed in pneumatic controls are as follows

i) Check valve
ii) Shuttle valve
iii) Restrictor check valve
iv) Quick exhaust valve
v) Two pressure valve

5.2.3. FLOW CONTROL VALVES:

Function of a flow control valve is self –evident from its name. A flow
control valve regulates the rate of air flow. The control action is limited to the air
flow passing through the valve when it is open, maintaining a set volume per unit
of time.

5.2.4. PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE:

Compared with hydraulic systems, few pressure control valves are brought into use
in pneumatics. Pressure control valves control the pressure of the air flowing
through the valve or confined in the system controlled by the valve.

There are three types of pressure control valves

1. Pressure limiting valve

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 2. Pressure sequence valve
3. Pressure regulator or pressure reducing valve.

5.3. COMPRESSOR:

It is a device which compresses the gases to higher pressure and than this
high pressure gas is used for various application like tyre inflation, powering a
turbine or used to do some mechanical work. The air compressor is generally
powered by electric motor, diesel or gas engine.

Fig.5.3. Air Compressor

5.3.1. WORKING PRINCIPLE:

Since we know that air is compressible and we only need some mechanical device
to do that and for that we have air compressor. It takes air form one end and than
squeeze this air to high pressure and deliver it to the other end for various
application.

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5.3.2. TYPES OF AIR COMPRESSOR:
According to the pressure delivered
1. Low-Pressure Air Compressors (LPACs):
It can discharge pressure at 151 psi or less.
2. Medium-Pressure Air Compressors:
Can discharge pressure in between 151 psi to 1000 psi.
3. High-Pressure Air Compressors (HPACs):
Having discharge pressure above 1000 psi.

According to the type of compression, it can be classified as

1. Positive Displacement :
Piston type, rotary screw, rotary vane air compressor
2. Dynamic Displacement:
Centrifugal and axial flow air compressor.

5.3.2.1. POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT AIR COMPRESSOR

In positive displacement compressor, the air is sucked into a chamber whose

volume gets decreased to compress the air. When the maximum pressure is reached
in the chamber, the discharge valve opens and air is discharged to the storage tank.
Once the pressure of the storage tank reaches to its desired upper limit the
compressor stops. The compressed air in the tank is used to perform various works.
As the pressure in the tank reaches to its minimum limit, the compressor again
starts and begins the process of compressing air.

The positive displacement compressor can be of following type

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 1. Piston Type or Reciprocating Air Compressor

It is positive displacement compressor in which piston with connecting rod and

crankshaft assembly is used to compress the air. The piston does the reciprocating
motion in the cylinder and compresses the air.

2. Rotary Screw Compressor

Positive displacement compression of air takes place in this compressor. It uses

two helical types of screws matching each other, when it rotates it takes the air
from the atmosphere and guides it to a chamber whose volume keeps on decreasing
the screw turns.

3. Rotary Vane Compressor

It is also a positive displacement compressor in which the rotor has blades. As the
rotor rotates it traps the air in between the vanes (blades) and air gets compressed.
A question hits now in our mind that How this air gets compressed by the vane
compressor. Vanes of the compressor is adjustable according to the casing and the
rotor in the casing is eccentric (i.e. it is not located in the center but its center is
shifted away from the casing center). When rotor rotates, the air gets traped
between two adjacent vanes. The casing of compressor gets on decreasing as the
rotor rotates, and due to the decrease of casing the air gets compressed.

5.3.2.2. DYNAMIC DISPLACEMENT AIR COMPRESSOR

In dynamic displacement compressor, it has a rotating part which imparts its

kinetic energy to the air and converts it into pressure energy. The impart of the
kinetic energy is done with the help of the centrifugal force.

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This type of air compressor includes centrifugal compressor and axial flow
compressor.

1. Centrifugal Compressor

In this compressor centrifugal force is used to compress the air. It contains mainly
three main parts i.e. impeller, diffuser and involute casing. It is the most commonly
used type of air compressor in different areas.

2. Axial Flow Compressor

It is a compressor in which the air which is to be compressed moves axially during

its compression. Axial flow compressor can continuously provide compressed gas.

Here we have learnt about what is air compressor and its types. If you find
anything missing than comment us in the comment section. And if you liked this
information than don’t forget to like share it.

5.4. CRANK SHAFT

A crankshaft is a mechanical part able to perform a conversion

between reciprocating motion and rotational motion. In a reciprocating engine, it
translates reciprocating motion of the piston into rotational motion; whereas in
a reciprocating compressor, it converts the rotational motion into reciprocating
motion. In order to do the conversion between two motions, the crankshaft has
"crank throws" or "crankpins", additional bearing surfaces whose axis is offset
from that of the crank, to which the "big ends" of the connecting rods from each
cylinder attach.

It is typically connected to a flywheel to reduce the pulsation characteristic

of the four-stroke cycle, and sometimes a torsional or vibrational damper at the

21
opposite end, to reduce the torsional vibrations often caused along the length of the
crankshaft by the cylinders farthest from the output end acting on the torsional
elasticity of the metal.

Fig.5.4. Crank

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 CHAPTER 6

CONVERTING A CONVENTIONAL IC ENGINE INTO AN AIR

POWERED

6.1. NECESSARY CHANGES

The normal 4 stroke SI engine is shown as:

Fig.6.1. Conventional IC Engine

To convert a conventional IC engine into an Air Powered one, few

components are to be replaced. First of all replace the spark plug with a pulsed
pressure control valve which can create required pressure. Now the pulsed air
firing in this valve is controlled by controlling the supply of electrical signal to the
plunger. For this we require an electronic timing circuit which can control the flow
of electrical supply to the plunger of this valve. This can be achieved by using PLC
circuit. Now speed of the engine will be controlled by controlling this input signal.

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 Now fuel tank is to be replaced with air vessel, as it requires pressurized air
as input. And two things are to be taken care while designing air vessel:

First is its strength to withstand high internal pressure, which exists due to
compressed air. For this outer body of it should be made of a material, having high
strength, like carbon fiber.

Second is its capacity to store air and its weight. Now replace cam with a modified
cam. This is to be done, so that both the inlet and outlet valves open and close at
the same time. Main advantage of doing this is to achieve better scavenging
system. Also this will result in conversion of 4 stroke engine into 2 stroke air
engines, which in turn gives us the benefit of low mean effective pressure
requirement in addition to other operational benefits.

The new Air Powered engine, after modifications would look like as follows:

Fig.6.2. Air Powered Engine

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6.2 OPERATION:

Initial torque is supplied from the DC exciter motor, and then the engine
operation starts.

Stage 1: When the piston is in the TDC, compressed air is injected through
the pulsed air firing valve, which pushes the piston to BDC.
Stage 2: Due to the motion of the engine and its inertia, the piston moves
back to TDC, pushing the air out of the valves.
The plunger of the pulsed firing valve is controlled by a timing circuit which
is specifically a PLC programmed circuit. It supplies the electronic signals
by which the plunger moves so that it opens and closes the pulsed firing
valve.

6.3 COMPARISON BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW ENGINE:

6.3.1 DIFFERENCE IN WORKING:

On comparing it with the working of normal SI 4 stroke engine, we can say

that:

 “Stage 1” of the air engine comprises of the combined operation of “Suction

stage” and “Power stage” of the normal 4 stroke SI engine.
 “Stage 2” of the air engine comprises of the combined operation of the
“Compression stage” and “Exhaust stage” of the normal 4 stroke SI engine.

6.3.2 ADVANTAGES OF AIR POWERED ENGINE OVER CONVENTIONAL

ENGINE:

 Air, on its own, is non-flammable, abundant, economical, transportable,

storable, most importantly, nonpolluting.

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 Compressed air technology reduces the cost of vehicle production by about
20%, because there is no need to build a cooling system, fuel tank, spark
plugs or silencers.
 High torque for minimum volume. The mechanical design of the engine is
simple and robust.
 Low manufacture and maintenance costs as well as easy maintenance.
Lighter vehicles would mean less abuse on roads, thus, resulting in longer
lasting roads.
 The price of fueling air powered vehicles will be significantly cheaper than
current fuels.
 When the air is being compressed at reasonable speeds, it heats up. The heat
given off during compression could be reclaimed for space heating or water
heating,
 Transportation of the fuel would not be required due to drawing power off
the electrical grid. This presents significant cost benefits. Pollution created
during fuel transportation would be eliminated.
 Compressed-air vehicles are comparable in many ways even to electric
vehicles and their potential advantages over electric vehicles include:
 Compressed-air vehicles are unconstrained by the degradation problems
associated with current battery systems
 Much like electrical vehicles, air powered vehicles would ultimately be
powered through the electrical grid which makes it easier to focus on
reducing pollution from one source, as opposed to the millions of vehicles
on the road.
 Compressed-air tanks can be disposed of or recycled with less pollution than
batteries.

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 The tank may be able to be refilled more often and in less time than batteries
can be recharged, with refueling rates comparable to liquid fuels.
 The tanks used in a compressed air motor have a longer lifespan in
comparison with batteries, which, after a while suffer from a reduction in
performance.

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 CHAPTER 7

APPLICATIONS

The compressed air engine can be used in many vehicles. Some of its applications
to be used as engine for vehicles are:
a) MOPEDS:
Jem Stansfield, an English inventor has been able to convert a regular
scooter to a compressed air moped. This has been done by equipping the
scooter with a compressed air engine and air tank.
b) BUSES:
MDI makes MultiCATs vehicle that can be used as buses or trucks. RATP
has also already expressed an interest in the compressed-air pollution-free
bus.
c) LOCOMOTIVES:
Compressed air locomotives have been historically used as mining
locomotives and in various areas.
d) TRAMS:
Various compressed-air-powered trams were trialed, starting in 1876 and has
been successfully implemented in some cases.
e) WATERCRAFT AND AIRCRAFT:
Currently, no water or air vehicles exist that make use of the air engine.
Historically compressed air engines propelled certain torpedoes.

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 CHAPTER 8

ADVANTAGES

8.1. TECHNICAL BENEFITS

Air Powered Engine is an alternative technology which uses compressed air

to run the engine and thus eliminates the use of fossil fuels. Exhaust temperature of
it will be slightly less than atmospheric temperature (i.e. 20-25°C) and thus helps
in controlling global warming and reducing temperature rise caused due to other
means. As we are going to convert the already existing conventional engine into an
air powered one, this new technology is easy to adapt. Another benefit is that it
uses air as fuel which is available abundantly in atmosphere.

Apart from above other technical benefits are as follows:

 The temperature of the engine while working will be slightly less than the
ambient temperature.
 Smooth working of the engine due to very less wear and tear of the
components.
 There is no possibility of knocking.
 No need of cooling systems and spark plugs or complex fuel injection
systems.

8.2 ECONOMIC BENEFITS:

Some major economic benefits of Air Engine are listed below

 No use of expensive fossil fuels as the free air is compressed and taken to
use.
 For this reason people can easily shift to the new technology.

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  Compressors use electricity for generating compressed air which is relatively
much cheaper and widespread.
 Smooth working will lead to less wear & tear, so lesser maintenance cost.
 Compressed air is most sustainable. It has no volatility or temperature or
much weather effect .Once compressed air is stored through compressor, it
will be available at any time without any loss of Pressure.

8.3. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS:

Compressed air may be definitely as an alternate for running light vehicle,

which is presently creating emission due to use of fossil fuel and ultimately effects
public health hazard. The major benefits of Air Engine in the direction of
environmental safety are as follows:

 As the exhaust temperature of this engine will be slightly less than the
atmospheric temperature (i.e. 15-25oC). So this will help in cooling the
environment.
 And if this technology is widely used than it will help in controlling
global warming. These are some green bytes associated with this
technology.
 Exhaust gases leaving the engine will be only air having low temperature.
So this will eliminate the problem of harmful emissions, in conventional
engines. This gives us environmental benefit of using this engine.
 Also as there will be no thermal radiations produced, radar can’t detect
these vehicles. So this will help our army too.

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 CHAPTER 9

CONCLUSION

The conventional engine used is being subjected to modifications like camshaft

modification and timing valve arrangement. The old cam is modified with a profile
such that for one cycle of piston movement inlet and outlet valve opens and closes
as required in compressed air engine. Compressed air is non-conventional energy
and it is abundant in nature which will exist till sun in universe. Due to global
warming it is demand of time to adopt green technology.

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 CHAPTER 10

FUTURE SCOPE

As there is no combustion use of lighter engine parts like carbon fiber for piston
and connecting rod will give more efficiency as the inertia will decrease.
Reduction of diameter of piston improves volumetric efficiency. Use of cam less
inlet and outlet valves improve efficiency as the part of output power use to run
cams through chain drives will not be needed. An all-new technology combining
Gasoline internal combustion engine and compressed air storage can be developed.
It is developing this vehicle in response to the global need for energy efficient
vehicles. Focus on the development of air motor technology based on a unique
rotary piston concept can be developed. The Engine air motor can be invented
which would virtually eliminate vibration, internal wear and friction, in order to
obtain superior performance for a wide variety of applications. Air-compressed
vehicle can be developed with high performance which would run only on
compressed air.

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 CHAPTER 11

REFERENCES

[1] S. S. Verma, Latest Developments of a Compressed Air Vehicle: A Status

Report, Volume 13 Issue 1 Version 1.0 Year 2013.

[2] Mistry Manish K, Dr.Pravin P.Rathod, Prof. Sorathiya Arvind S, Study and
development of compressed air engine single cylinder: a review study,
IJAET/Vol.III/ Issue I/January-March, 2012.

[3] Abhishek Lal, Design and Dynamic Analysis of Single Stroke Compressed Air
Engine, Vol.3, No.2, 2013.

[4] Prof. B. S. PATEL, Mr R S BAROT, KARAN SHAH, AIR POWERED

ENGINE”, National Conference on Recent Trends in Engineering & Technology,
2011

[5] Dr. Maglub Al Nur, S.K.M.Asikul Islam, Debashish Sahaand AashiqueAlam

Rezwan,“Modification of an Si Engine into a Compressed Air Engine to Work
with Compressed Air or Gas, 14th Annual Paper Meet (6IMEC&14APM) 28-29
September 2012.

[6] Tejshree Bornare, Abhishek Badgujar and Prathamesh Natu, Vortex Tube
Refrigeration System Based on Compressed Air, International Journal of
Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 6 (7), 2016, pp. 99 - 104.

[7] Harshal D. Shirodkar and Dr. S.B.Rane, Structural Optimization of A Powered

Industrial Lift Truck Frame, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and
Technology, 5(10), 2014, pp. 45–56.

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