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Compressed Air as Energy: More Than Just Industrial Air
Compressed air is most commonly associated with workshops, manufacturing facilities, mining operations and pneumatic equipment.
But over the years, engineers have also explored some less conventional ways to use compressed air as a source of stored energy.
One example came from the automotive industry.
The idea behind compressed air-powered vehicles
In the early 2010s, Peugeot and Citroën manufacturer PSA developed a concept known as Hybrid Air.
Rather than relying solely on the battery technology used in conventional hybrid vehicles, the proposed system combined a petrol engine with a hydraulic system that could store energy using compressed gas.
The system captured energy during braking and deceleration and stored it for later use. It could then use that stored energy to help power the vehicle.
At the time, the technology attracted considerable attention as manufacturers explored different ways to reduce fuel consumption.
While Hybrid Air didn’t go on to become a mainstream passenger vehicle technology, the concept provides an interesting example of how engineers can use compressed gas to store and transfer energy.
Why can compressed air do useful work?
When a compressor takes atmospheric air and compresses it into a smaller volume, it raises the air pressure.
That pressurised air can then release energy as it expands.
This basic principle allows compressed air to perform an enormous range of tasks, from operating a pneumatic tool in a workshop to controlling equipment in a large manufacturing facility.
In an industrial compressed air system, the compressor produces the air and the air receiver provides storage. Pipework then distributes the compressed air to the equipment and processes that need it.
The challenge is producing, storing and distributing that air efficiently.
Compressed air remains an important industrial utility
Air-powered cars may not have become commonplace, but compressed air continues to play an important role across industry.
Businesses use it for applications including:
- Pneumatic tools and equipment
- Manufacturing and automation
- Instrument and control air
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Abrasive blasting
- Spray painting
- Processing and production equipment
- Specialist breathing air applications
The requirements vary considerably between applications.
Pressure, airflow, air quality, storage, pipework and equipment selection all affect how well a compressed air system performs.
That’s why NPS looks at the complete compressed air system rather than considering the compressor in isolation.
Making better use of compressed air
Whatever the application, producing compressed air requires energy.
Correct compressor selection, appropriate storage, well-designed pipework and regular servicing can all help a system provide the pressure and airflow the application requires without unnecessary demand on the compressor.
Nessco Pressure Systems designs, installs and services compressed air systems for industrial applications across Perth and regional WA.
From compressors and air receivers to dryers, filtration, pipework and ongoing servicing, our team can help you build and maintain a compressed air system suited to your application.
Call our team on 1300 290 638 to discuss your compressed air requirements.
The motor and a pump will be located in the engine bay, fed by a compressed air tank underneath the car, running parallel to the exhaust; this enables it to run on petrol or air, or a combination of the two.
The groundbreaking invention is said to reduce petrol bills by up to 80% when driving in cities and will be around £1,000 cheaper to purchase than all other current hybrid models, this is because the new ‘Hybrid Air’ will not require the expensive batteries found in current hybrids.
In the future the pioneering system will be installed into any traditional family car without altering its original size and external shape; the air-powered cars will eventually look identical to any desired conventional vehicle. To begin with, the newer models will be a similar size and model to the Peugeot 208.
Do you have any ideas for air powered inventions? Send us your ideas below.
Original Daily Mail article can be found – here
