09-02-2016, 04:42 PM
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
We are living in a very mobile society so light utility vehicles (LUV) like bikes and cars are becoming very popular means of independent transportation for short distances. Petrol and diesel which have been the main sources of fuel in the history of transportation, are becoming more expensive and impractical (especially from an environmental standpoint).Such factors are leading vehicle manufacturers [1-9] to develop vehicles fueled by alternative energies. When at present level of technological development fuel-less flying (like birds) i.e., flying based on the use of bio-energy and air power in the atmosphere seems to be almost impossible for human beings then engineers are fascinated at least with the enormous power associated with the human friendly as well as tested source of energy (i.e., air) to make air-powered vehicles as one possible alternative. Engineers [1-9] are directing their sincere efforts to make use of air as an energy source to run the LUVs which will make future bikes and light/small cars running with air power for daily routine distances and the travel will be free from pollution and cost effective.