Abstract
The open and close duration, angle, and pressure of the intake and exhaust valves substantially influence compressed air engine efficiency and output power. In the actual prototype, the air distribution system can be of two types, cam air distribution type and rotary air distribution type. Compressed air engine based on the two types has been investigated. However, there have been debates over the advantages and disadvantages of these two technologies. The article aims to compare two technologies from the output power and energy efficiency. To verify theoretical analyses’ model, an experimental system is built to test the output power and efficiency of compressed air engine with cam air distribution system. It is shown that the output power of the compressed air engine with rotary air distribution system is higher than that of the compressed air engine with cam air distribution system. When the rotation speed is equal to 800 r/min, the output power of the compressed air engine with rotary air distribution system is about five times as much as that of the compressed air engine with cam air distribution system. The efficiency of two kinds of compressed air engines all declines with a rise in the rotation speed. Furthermore, the energy efficiency of the compressed air engine with rotary air distribution system is higher than that of the compressed air engine with cam air distribution system by approximately 10%. The analyses also indicate that sealing and lubrication are key to practical application of the compressed air engine with rotary air distribution system.
Highlights
A wide variety of renewable source technologies are needed to meet the challenges of sustainable energy development.[1]
The superiority of hydrogen energy carrier is of high energy density; the lack of safety, energy efficient, and storage difficulties currently prevent the development of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles.[7]
Two types of air distribution system for compressed air engine (CAE) are compared in terms of output power and energy efficiency, and the conclusions are summarized as follows: 1. Given the pressure of supply air, the output power of the CAE with rotary air distribution system is higher than that of the CAE with cam air distribution system
Summary
A wide variety of renewable source technologies are needed to meet the challenges of sustainable energy development.[1] The air pollution has become a severe problem that influences the survival and development of humankind.[2] Because transportation accounts for a major share of global primary energy demand[3] and exhaust from internal combustion (IC) engines contributes largely to carbon emissions,[4] it is an urgent need to find alternative energy sources for engines with clean and environmentally friendly energy carrier. Advances in Mechanical Engineering have limited their development and application.[6] The superiority of hydrogen energy carrier is of high energy density; the lack of safety, energy efficient, and storage difficulties currently prevent the development of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles.[7] Compressed air is a potential clean and environmental-friendly energy carrier. The air tank can be completely refilled in a much less time than batteries,[9] and the price of compressed air engine (CAE) is relatively cheaper.[10]
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