The Hindu Business Line : A car that runs on compressed air?

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Chennai Feb. 5 A car that runs on air and has zero emissions! That must seem like a prototype straight out of a Steven Spielberg sci-fi movie. But, surprisingly, in reality it isn't a lot of hot air.

A number of technology outfits have tried their hand at developing engines that run on compressed air.

One company MDI or Moteur Developpment International of France has successfully developed such engines and has been testing them in a number of cars. Tata Motors, which has been keen to expand its technological expertise, has just signed a technology licensing agreement with MDI for co-developing and applying the latter's innovative technology for engines powered by air.

The agreement between the two companies envisages the Tata's supporting further development and refinement of the technology, and its application and licensing for India.

The MDI Group is headed by Mr Guy Negre, who founded the company in the 1990s.

How it works

The engine works on what is known as CATS or compressed air technology system, whereby typically a two-stroke engine is fed compressed air, which has been stored in fibre-glass tanks at high bar pressure (approximately 150 to 200 times the pressure in car tyres).

The compressed air expands in the engine's chamber and drives the pistons and a single crankshaft to create movement that is then transferred to the wheels. Relevant changes to the pistons, connecting rod and other engine components are made to enable the engine to run on just compressed air..

Compressed air can be filled into the car or other vehicle's tanks from what is called a roadside Air Station or the car can be plugged into a household electric socket for running the on-board air compressor motor that compresses ambient air and stores it.

MDI has also built a number of vehicles that feature the air engine. Many of them have features that may be a good fit with Tata Motors' plans for future vehicles. It is not clear though if the current licensing arrangement will include allowing Tata Motors access to those vehicles and their designs.

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