11-02-2013, 10:40 AM
DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF A PNEUMATIC TURBINE (A TYPE OF COMPRESSED AIR ENGINE)
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ABSTRACT
The problems of ozone depletion, continuous decline in the crude oil reserves, and search for a more reliably, effective and clean energy source has led to years of continuous research looking for the required energy. Energy is needed to power machines that do work. The objective of this project is to design a type of compressed air engine that does require little or no fuel consumption. This is a way of promoting the campaign against ozone depletion. A set of rotor blades is connected to a shaft in a way that if pressurised air impinges its tip, it will cause the shaft to rotate. The rotation of the shaft is the mechanical energy that has been transmitted from the compressed air and is used for generating electricity. Comparing the pneumatic turbine with the conventional gas turbine, there is negligible difference in operation but 50% less in power generated.
INTRODUCTION
Energy is the ability of a system or a device to do work. A machine is a device that enables one to do work;it uses energy to work. Energy is got from any and every system, depending on the type and function of the energy being harnessed. The search for reliable energy has been on from the creation of man, when man used tools to work, used fire to illuminate his environment in the dark, used animals to transport themselves, their farm produce and farm machineries like plough. Man has also seen the need to reduce his rate of getting tired after doing work which he feels can be done without getting himself exhausted. This is by using external energy source which he finds in any and every system around him.
DESCRIPTION OF COMPRESSED AIR ENGINE
Compressed air is clean, safe, and as such more effective as compared to other forms of fuel. There are no dangerous exhaust fumes of or other harmful byproducts when compressed air is used as a utility. It is a non-combustible, non-polluting source of energy.
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 bars) is determined by the laws of thermodynamics. They state that an increase in pressure at constant volume equals an increase in temperature and as such the thermal energy, hence 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.
MECHANISM
The mechanization of a compressed air engine is determined by the kinetic energy of the air being used. The laws of physics states that gases will fill any space it is contained in. The easiest way to see this in action is to inflate a balloon. The elastic skin of the balloon holds the air tightly inside, but the moment you use a pin to create a hole in the balloon's surface, the air expands outward with so much energy that the balloon explodes.
RECENT DEVELOPEMENTS
Recently, various personnel, both engineers and technicians have been working very hard to develop on the idea of making compressed air a very efficient and effective means of running machines. Invariably by the end of 2013, the use of compressed air powered cars will be everywhere.
The first air cars will almost certainly use the compressed air engine (CAE) developed by the French company, motor development international (MDI). India’s TATA motors will likely produce the first air car in the marketplace in the next few years. Tata motors’ air car will also use the CAE engine.
CONCLUSIONS
After considerations which led to the design and fabrication of a pneumatic turbine as to promote the campaign for the reduction in the rate of our ozone depletion, we can finally conclude that compressed air is commendable. With the help of various books and consultations from engineers with like minds, I have been able to support the campaign with the success of this project. The pneumatic turbine if improved the more and the rate of energy harnessing from the air being optimised, the world has found their clean source of energy.