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Title:

Hot Deal or Hot Air? Life-cycle Analysis of Pneumatic Cars

Accession Number:

01155438

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Abstract:

Through a series of press releases and demonstrations, a car using energy stored in compressed-air made available from a compressor has been suggested as an environmentally-friendly vehicle of the future. We analyze the thermodynamic efficiency of a compressed-air car powered by a pneumatic engine and consider the merits of compressed air versus chemical storage of potential energy. Even under highly optimistic assumptions the compressed-air car is significantly less efficient than a battery electric vehicle and would produce more greenhouse gas emissions than a conventional gas-powered car. However, a pneumatic-combustion hybrid is technologically feasible, inexpensive and might compete with hybrid electric vehicles.

Monograph Accession #:

01147878

Report/Paper Numbers:

10-0694

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Creutzig, Felix
Papson, Andrew
Kammen, Daniel
Schipper, Lee

Pagination:

13p

Publication Date:

2010

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2010-1-10 to 2010-1-14
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

DVD

Features:

Figures (6) ; References (26) ; Tables (3)

Subject Areas:

Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I10: Economics and Administration; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2010 Paper #10-0694

Files:

TRIS, TRB

Created Date:

Jan 25 2010 10:20AM