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Future or into the era of liquefied air drive
**The Future of Liquefied Air Technology**
Despite being seen by many engineers as a destructive technology, liquefied air holds much more potential than commonly believed. When air is cooled to -196°C, it becomes a liquid and can function as an energy storage system. This innovative approach could challenge our current understanding of piston engines and energy storage methods.
One of the pioneers in this field is Peter Dement, who has been working on the concept of liquefied air engines for years. His research has led to the development of new technologies that could change how we think about energy storage and transportation.
Another application of liquefied air technology is in power generation. It can be used to store energy from renewable sources like wind, solar, and tidal power, helping to balance the supply and demand on the grid during peak and off-peak hours.
Liquefied air technology isn't new. In fact, nitrogen, which makes up 78% of the air, was first liquefied in 1883 using compression and heat extraction techniques. However, its use in modern applications is still evolving.
Air Liquide, a company based in Boston, designed the world’s first car powered by liquefied air. Although the company didn’t last long, the car itself was demonstrated in 1902 and could travel about 40 miles at a speed of 12 mph. The fuel used was 15 gallons of liquefied air.
This idea has huge potential. One liter of liquefied air contains the equivalent of 700 liters of atmospheric air. When released into the atmosphere, it expands rapidly, creating a powerful force that can drive engines without pollution.
Peter Dearman, an inventor and engineer, explored the use of liquefied air in the 1960s. At the time, the engines were too large and inefficient. But with advances in technology, the concept has gained renewed interest.
Later, a report from Washington State University suggested that if liquefied air could be vaporized at a constant temperature, it could achieve acceptable efficiency levels. This inspired Dimen to develop a new method involving heat transfer media like ethylene glycol.
When these two liquids are mixed, the liquefied air expands quickly, driving the engine in a two-stroke cycle. This process generates power and releases "exhaust," which is environmentally friendly. Dimen believes that under ideal conditions, the efficiency of such engines could rival traditional fuels.
The heat transfer media can be reused after passing through a radiator, allowing the system to operate more efficiently. If waste heat from the vehicle is captured and used to further heat the medium, the overall efficiency can be significantly improved.
Compared to conventional engines, where a third of the energy is lost to cooling and another 35% is wasted as hot exhaust, the Dimen engine captures most of this waste heat, making it a more sustainable option.
This technology has broad applications. For example, it can be used in buses to convert passenger body heat into power. Refrigerated trucks can also use waste heat to drive the vehicle forward. Additionally, construction machinery in mines, which often faces overheating issues, could benefit greatly from this innovation.
Ricardo, a UK-based consulting firm, has been researching the Dimen engine for over two years. They have explored ways to improve its performance, including introducing advanced engine cycles like the Atkinson or Miller cycle. Engineers also suggest using lightweight materials to reduce costs and increase competitiveness.
At a recent meeting of the Royal Society of Engineers, experts discussed the future of liquefied air technology. While it's not yet a commercial product, there is a significant amount of liquid nitrogen produced daily that goes unused. This excess could potentially power millions of vehicles.
In the UK, the cost of producing liquefied air is around 2.5 to 3.6 pence per liter. By setting up production facilities near LNG terminals, this cost can be further reduced.
Although liquefied air has a lower energy density compared to traditional fuels, it offers a promising alternative to electric vehicles, which require long charging times and have a high carbon footprint.
Beyond transportation, liquefied air technology can be used in energy storage systems to balance the grid. Its simplicity, maturity, and low cost make it a viable option compared to other storage methods.
Companies like Highview Power Storage, along with Dimen, are working to improve energy efficiency by recycling heat from power plants.
However, challenges remain. Lower energy density, complex thermodynamics, and issues with frost in the reaction chamber may slow down its adoption. But industry leaders are already working on solutions.
While we may not see a full “nitrogen-driven†society anytime soon, the future of liquefied air technology looks promising. As research continues, we may one day wake up to a world where cars don’t run on gasoline, but on the power of cold air.