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kimmie
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Joined: 19 Aug 2007
Posts: 3258
Location: new byth
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 Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: worlds first air car! |
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I LOVE IT!! 
| Quote: | The search for sustainable, zero emission alternatives to oil-based fuels is a number one priority for carmakers.
And though hydrogen has many attractive properties there's still the problem of extraction, storage and transportation.
the air-powered car
No such issue for this futuristic, cute little city car. It literally runs on thin air! Built by French firm MDI (standing for Motor Development International) the AIRPod is part of the firm's continuing research into zero emissions compressed air and dual fuel engines and the latest in a line of prototypes built by the firm.
A tricycle urban transport vehicle with seating for three adults and one child, the AIRPod is just over 2m long and 1.6m wide - 70mm shorter than a smart - and weighs just 220kg. The engine runs simply on compressed air, stored in a tank and good for a range of around 60 miles.
Air is stored at a pressure of 350bar in rupture proof tanks pressure tested for double that figure and already proven in vehicles running on natural gas. So it's not as if you're sitting on some giant balloon. The AIRPod can charge its own tank with an on-board compressor but eventually roadside compressors could be installed.
Powered by water, solar power or wind turbines, these are able to fill the air tank in just a minute and half, offering true zero emissions transport. With only 5.4hp the engine doesn't sound powerful but with a top speed of up to 43mph the AIRPod is plenty fast enough to keep up with city traffic.
Steered with a joystick and boasting running costs of just one Euro for every 125 miles the attractions are obvious enough. A cargo version for light delivery work is also being developed and is being tested by Air France and KLM at Charles de Gaulle and Schipol airports as zero-emissions transport for staff and goods on site.
Compressed air isn't just for futuristic city transport 'pods' either. MDI also has a dual-fuel engine that can run on air alone or together with petrol, diesel or alcohol to deliver useful power and an astonishing 141mpg on a 45mph cruise. And with power outputs of 50hp or more the wider potential of the technology is clear to see.
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Martin
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Joined: 16 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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Unfortunately, it's a bit of a con - first of all, compressed air is being used a storage medium - the energy to compress it comes usually from non renewable resources, and the losses involved are fairly colossal, so it really offers no advantages over other methods (batteries etc).
The "cars" themselves are incredibly frail (think Sinclair C5), and there's no way you'd want to use them on public roads with 40 tonners whizzing about.
The company is very strong on hype and short on facts (think roof-mounted chocolate teapots!)
So sorry to disappoint a lady! 
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kimmie
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JamesB
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Joined: 24 Jul 2007
Posts: 503
Location: Mintlaw area
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| Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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its also fair to add that the French have being trying to develop a compressed car for about 20 years. Technically as a storage medium its not too bad but you still need an awlful lot of energy to compress it
James
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thinfourth
Mini-Neepster
Joined: 17 Nov 2007
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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Now in scotland we should keep an eye on compressed air cars.
The reason is that most of the waste energy in compressing air is in the form of heat. And i'm sure you can work out what we could do with waste heat in sunny scotland |
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Martin
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Joined: 16 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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knew I'd seen 'em somewhere before - they're Watsonian sidecars from the 50's
 
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Julie
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Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 2620
Location: Cornhill
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| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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What a fun car, it looks a bit like a crash hat though 
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