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Summary

Schematic of a compressed air energy storage (and use) system for vehicles. The first system is a variation of the Proe compressed air system (see http://www.proepowersystems.com/ ) in which one modest change was done: an air tank was added; the parts were also arranged a bit simpler.

The second system shows a system designed by KVDP in which the compressor does not work on the stack effect like Proe's system, but rather uses a Beta-type Stirling engine (see the Stirling engine used in this system). The main advantage of this is that a more powerful compressor type can be used (ie rotary vane compressor or even screw compressor -the latter is rather expensive though-) and that this compressor can also be used to recharge the compressed air tank. Another advantage is that the burner should use the heat more effectively (Proe's system could potentially waste much more energy in the form of heat). A major downside to Proe's system is the greater complexity, and the fact that an oil tank is needed, which means a possibly greater weight in comparison to Proe's system, also it may be less compact.

The compressed air tanks are added in both systems mainly to allow the vehicle to be started right away, without a (15 min) warm-up time.

The reason that a hybrid (compressed air/biofuel) system is useful is because the energy density of biofuel is much higher than that of compressed air, in addition it also doesn't need a (heavy) tank. An automated pellet burner (or an automated burner burning standardised wooden blocks) can be used.

Licensing

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