On Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:50:07 -0800, C J Campbell
wrote:

On 2007-11-16 16:55:03 -0800, said:

Dave wrote:


I read somewhere about steam locomotives that operated from a pressure
tank that was filled up at a "charging station", then run until a
refill was needed. Used in mines and other circumstances where
cumbustion was not acceptable. A proven technology that works - but I
wonder about the range. Problem is, steam is a preishable commodity.
Use it without delay or lose it. Compressed air doesn't have that
problem. Air motors are a proven technology as well - but as others
have said, efficiency may leave much to be desirerd. I for one will be
interested to see if the claims made about this compressed air car
will pan out.

It won't.

Have you ever used air tools?

Notice the huge motor and tank to supply the air for a little, bitty
tool?

Ever noticed how hot the tank and motor get compressing the air?

That's wasted energy.

What we need is a car powered by hot air from Usenet. :-)

Good Lord CJ, Do you realize what you are proposing? At first glance
it sounds like a plentiful supply of high powered energy, but I see a
number of problems.

First the sheer power itself. You'd probably never be able to keep
the car under the speed limit or even under control. Then think of
all the pollution coming out the exhaust. You'd never be able to run
it in California and as soon as it hit the roads other states would
bring on legislation as well. I'd probably even bring tickets for
littering. Then there is the fuel. At the minimum you'd need a
license for hauling toxic waste in every state you'd drive in,
probably one from the feds as well, and then environmental impact
statements to each state's Department of Natural Resources, and who
knows how many federal agencies. Then you'd be expected to pay into
the fund for toxic waste clean up and provide bonded companies to
dispose of the waste. True the fuel available would be free and
probably power most of the cars on the road, but the permits
would make the price of gas and it's emissions look great.

Roger (K8RI)