Air-powered car ready for mass distribution

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Air-powered car ready for mass distribution - 5/30/2007 11:02:16 PM

Lordandmaster

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http://green.yahoo.com/index.php?q=node/315

Cute idea, but I'm not sure I see how it's any better, from an environmental standpoint, than the electric car.

< Message edited by Lordandmaster -- 5/30/2007 11:03:03 PM >

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RE: Air-powered car ready for mass distribution - 5/31/2007 12:45:03 AM

Zensee

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Environmental advantage over the electric car? It doesn't need batteries and all their toxic implications, not to mention their weight.

Add an energy recapture compressor to the drive train and use that as the primary brake. That should improve millage a bit and reduce break wear.

And contrary to the article, it is a zero emissions vehicle, meaning the vehicle itself produces no, localised emissions. Emissions produced in its manufacture and fueling don't count. (It is not a zero footprint vehicle but then nothing we manufacture is without environmental impact).

There's more than one way to compress air. It doesn't necessarily require fossil fuels. Solar cells or a little windmill on top to wind it up while parked. Non flamable, non toxic. Available everywhere. Compressed air makes a lot of sense.

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RE: Air-powered car ready for mass distribution - 5/31/2007 2:59:57 AM

Quivver

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Wow, at a projected 125 miles between fill ups I'd never get home from work on a single tank! ...........

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RE: Air-powered car ready for mass distribution - 5/31/2007 4:43:22 AM

CuriousLord

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Quivver

Wow, at a projected 125 miles between fill ups I'd never get home from work on a single tank! ...........

At a clock-out speed of 68 mph, it's unlikely you'd get home inside of two hours, even if you didn't have to stop for air along the way..

..by the way, you live further from your work place than 125 miles? I know some people that do, but I can't imagine how annoying that must be.

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RE: Air-powered car ready for mass distribution - 5/31/2007 6:25:47 AM

Lordandmaster

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Good points, Zensee.

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RE: Air-powered car ready for mass distribution - 5/31/2007 8:21:55 AM

Tuomas

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Compressed air? Was this article published on April First?

I won't say I'm an expert on the subject, but this does seem to be a lot of hot air. Considering the actual volume of air needed (and the compression ratio required) I don't exactly see how this can work. Yes, air does store a considerable amount of energy, but most systems that store potencial energy in fluids tend to use high-pressure hydrolics because gases are very inefficient. Still, I would like to have a peek under the hood to see how it really works...

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