Telegraph:
Compressed and cryogenically cooled nitrogen, commonly called
liquid air, was first used to power a vehicle in 1902. When
liquid air is released from its container, it quickly boils and
expands by a factor of 700%. The expanding gas can be used to
drive a turbine or pistons. However, unless it can be expanded
at a constant temperature, the engines that are powered by it
are inefficient. Now Peter Dearman has developed an engine that
uses a liquid coolant to maintain the temperature of the liquid
air. The coolant then circulates through a radiator and can be
used to scavenge extra heat from the vehicle cabin. When it
returns to ambient temperature, it can be reused in the engine.
Ricardo, a UK-based
engineering consulting firm that has been working to create a
useable version of the Dearman engine, envisions several
possible uses in vehicles or electricity generators. Liquid air
is not currently produced commercially, but current prices for
the electricity needed to produce the liquid air are just a few
cents per liter. However, significant challenges, including
poor energy density and efficiency and the effect of the low
storage temperatures on other engine parts, still need to be
overcome before liquid-air engines can become viable
alternatives.
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© 2013 American Institute of Physics
Liquid-air engines take a step forward Free
3 June 2013
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/PT.5.027064
Content License:FreeView
EISSN:1945-0699
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