I think the process pencils better if you liquify the nitrogen rather than compress it. This is even more so for refrigerated transport where the refrigerator is useful load. In the Southwest even air conditioning is a large load.
Kirk -----Original Message----- From: Hakan Falk [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2002 4:38 AM To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [biofuel] Air car. Hello all participants of air car debate, I think that the technique opens up a range of interesting solutions and will try to mention a few, 1. The major value is not as an energy efficient way of running a car. As such, I agree with several of you, that pointed out its lack of conversion efficiency. 2. Several times on this list, people have pointed out the flaws in looking at single stage or a few stages efficiency. Only a few weeks ago, Keith wrote in an elegant way about this. 3. The value of the process is very large, if you look at is as a combination of conversion and storage technique. Using air and air pressure, seems to be a technique that solves a lot of space and weight issues. The limitation in the conversion back to other forms of usage, have probably taken a large step with development of this engine. 4. Most of renewable sources, like Sun, Wind, Hydro etc. need large storages, to be viable alternatives on their own. Hydrogen that at best have 1-2% efficiency from production to use and in most cases have a negative efficiency, have been argued more on its storage and conversion properties. But if you look at the distribution facilitation, it is both costly and time consuming. Compressed air is easier, less costly, safer and cleaner. 5. Contrary to what somebody said, we have a very large element of electricity production with basically diesel fuel. The reason is the ignorant engineering in the building industry, that generates huge peak demands. Those peak demands are covered by small power plants, driven by oil products. The reason is the short start/stop times that are needed for the generation. A lot of losses are taken on off peak times, because of that the major power plants are idle. The storage technique could have a major place in this equation. Especially on the air conditioning side. 6. One of the arguments for its use in the automotive sector, is the health problems in our cities. It is a compelling argument and I can not find anything wrong in it. Maybe we have negative gains in over all pollution, but the power sources are not located inside the cities and by the dispersion of the pollution, we will have a positive effect on the health. The pollution problem is also easier to improve in a few power plant, than in millions of cars. 7. An often used technique in hydro electric dams, is the pumping back of water to storage dams. This can not be claimed as energy efficient as a process, but is for sure efficient as a whole. The compressed air technique will have similar benefits. As I go on writing this, the ideas of applications flows faster than I can write. It is better to draw a line here, because I think that the case is clear. The value is the compressed air as storage of energy and the engine is a missing link in the conversion chain to use of the compressed air. Hakan wrong in this. Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.384 / Virus Database: 216 - Release Date: 8/21/2002 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Looking for a more powerful website? Try GeoCities for $8.95 per month. Register your domain name (http://your-name.com). More storage! No ads! http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info http://us.click.yahoo.com/aHOo4D/KJoEAA/MVfIAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
