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Title: Compressed Air Vehicles: Drive-Cycle Analysis of Vehicle Performance, Environmental Impacts, and Economic Costs
Accession Number: 01155009
Record Type: Component
Record URL: Availability: Transportation Research Board Business Office 500 Fifth Street, NW Find a library where document is available Abstract: In the face of the climate crisis, petroleum dependence, and volatile gasoline prices, it is imperative to explore possible opportunities in unconventional alternative-fuel vehicles. One such option is the compressed air vehicle (CAV), or air car, powered by a pneumatic motor and onboard high-pressure gas tank. Although proponents claim that CAVs offer environmental and economic benefits over conventional vehicles, the technology has until recently not been subject to a rigorous analysis. This study characterizes the potential performance of CAVs in terms of fuel economy, driving range, carbon footprint, and fuel costs and examines their viability as a transportation option as compared with gasoline and electric vehicles. Subjects of analysis include energy density of compressed air, thermodynamic losses of expansion, CAV efficiency on a pump-to-wheels and well-to-wheels basis, and comparisons with gasoline and electric vehicles. Results show that although the CAV is a bold, unconventional solution for today’s transportation challenges, it is ultimately not workable, and compares poorly with gasoline and electric vehicles in all environmental and economic metrics. Further, applications of the CAV are severely constrained because of its limited driving range. The results from this study, including the analysis of energy density and expansion losses, may be used to identify future opportunities for CAV applications. The pump-to-wheels and well-to-wheels methodology contained here establishes a framework for evaluating future CAV designs.
Monograph Title: Monograph Accession #: 01329904
Report/Paper Numbers: 10-3282
Language: English
Authors: Papson, AndrewCreutzig, FelixSchipper, LeePagination: pp 67-74
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 9780309160667
Media Type: Print
Features: Figures
(2)
; References
(33)
; Tables
(1)
TRT Terms: Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs
Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
Created Date: Jan 25 2010 11:38AM
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