Posted on 11/06/2012 1:29:52 PM PST by Red Badger
Look what an Australian designer would like us to roll with in a no-emissions future: A motorcycle powered by nothing but air. Adding to a growing portfolio of ideas centered around compressed-air engines, this good-looking entry is called the 02 Pursuit. As an alternative-fuel bike, it reaches impressive speeds, given that is powered by a tank of compressed air. Opened up all the way, according to claims, the O2 Pursuit can do over 60 miles on a single tank and can zoom past trees and mountains at 87 mph. The obvious advantage to electric bikes would be that this Pursuit cycle would not require the big heavy batteries, long re-charging waits, and thoughts about battery disposal.
The O2 Pursuit was designed by Dean Benstead, an industrial designer and a graduate of RMIT University, in Melbourne, Australia. Benstead started out with a what-if idea: "Living in a world where people can commute in vehicles and have fun without impacting on the environment in a scenario that seems unachievable and unimaginable—what if we could?" He worked the idea into a functional prototype stage with numerous design iterations along the way. He said he conducted a validation of air as power source with the use of life-cycle analysis mapping and futuring. A Yamaha WR250R frame was fitted with a compressed-air engine, which is the DiPietro Air Engine developed by Engineair Australia, and a standard scuba diving tank. Last year, he showcased his O2 Pursuit air-powered motorcycle at the Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Show. This year, the O2 Pursuit is one of the inventions that have been shortlisted for the upcoming James Dyson Award. There are 15 projects on the list and the winner and two runners-up will be announced on November 8.
As some suggest, however, the idea is wonderful but not yet practical. The drawback is lack of refilling stations, and a need to find power to compress the air in the first place. While gas stations are available to provide compressed air, they would not be efficient for something like a scuba tank. The answer would be in a "distributed generation smart grid," he said, where refill stations can be positioned around a city or rural area to facilitate the required range. The refill points would be navigable via the user's integrated smartphone and GPS system. Air energy could be compressed via solar or wind and stored in an inert state forever. Right now, however, the O2 Pursuit is a project that provides an inviting look into the use of air as an alternative fuel in, as he said, a post-petroleum world.
Exactly.
Liquid, chemical energy storage is still unbeaten for efficiency.
A compressed CO2 cartridge has much better performance than compressed air, but then it completely fails the CO2 emissions test.
Really? I will use the leprechauns in my pocket to blow into the tank.
Two-stroke motors are being phased out, even for lawnmowers and leaf blowers; the only street bikes still make with 2-stroke motors are 50cc scooters and even a lot of those are 4-stroke now.
“It heats up as it gets compressed into the tank and that heat must be removed. That heat gets wasted. It’s a significant amount of energy.”
You’re right about that. In post #58, I mentioned that the expanding gas can be used to cool a vehicle — which would save the energy otherwise used by an air conditioner. That makes the concept a lot more practical in hot climates than in cold ones. The Tata AirPod prototype can use the expanding air for interior cooling.
The heat released during compression could be used to heat water. A commercial compressor station attached to a e.g. a hotel or restaurant could save on their water-heating costs.
I’m not trying to “sell” this concept — but, I do enjoy design challenges.
That’s what would happen if the scuba tank ruptured........
Finally someone made an environmentally friendly gizme that looks cool. Im not concerned about the environmental aspect but usually these things would make you look like a dork on one. Of course if Dyson decides to make it it would cost the same as a Harley flathead.
The heat is not caused by compression. What happens is that all of the heat energy in a large volume of air becomes concentrated, causing the temperature to increase. That being said, any process of energy storage and/or conversion results in losses, so the real test is would be a cost vs. performance comparision against other technologies. Compressed air won’t store nearly as much energy as the same volume of energy as gasoline but I would expect in to have a much higher energy density than the best available batteries and the charge time would be reduced by at least an order of magnitude.
Not perpetual motion, but regenerative braking. A compressor linked to the wheels would capture the energy and use it to accelerate, which could substantially reduce fuel consumption.
“Well, look at it this way, if the tank ruptures, the bike and rider will be thrown clear of the accident so the EMTs won’t have to scrape your guts off the bumper............”
Rocket Man...
“Depends on the size, generally around $12.”
Hmm lets do some math...
Assuming I can fit my big butt on that tiny bike its $12 for 60 miles. My Honda Civic reliably runs 300 miles in town for $34 worth of gas. So...
Just me with no possibility of passengers or cargo and heaven help if it rains I can pay $70 to ride that tiny ass bike or $34 and drive my Civic.
Hmmmm decision decisions...
The heat is not caused by compression. What happens is that all of the heat energy in a large volume of air becomes concentrated, causing the temperature to increase. That being said, any process of energy storage and/or conversion results in losses, so the real test is would be a cost vs. performance comparision against other technologies. Compressed air won’t store nearly as much energy as the same volume of energy as gasoline but I would expect in to have a much higher energy density than the best available batteries and the charge time would be reduced by at least an order of magnitude.
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Correct if you have a frictionless compressor.
I understand why the apparent heating due to compression happens.
Almost everyone understands that air gets hot when it’s compressed.
Also as another poster pointed out, the engine will need a source of heat to maintain it near ambient temperature. Internal friction would hopefully not be adequate to do so!
Good talking.
60 miles range, 3200 psi
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