Thermodynamic Simulation of a Hybrid Pneumatic-Combustion Engine Concept

Abstract

Although internal combustion engines display high overall maximum global efficiencies, this potential cannot be fully exploited in automotive applications: in real conditions, the average engine load (and thus efficiency) is quite low and the kinetic energy during a braking phase is lost. This work presents a new hybrid pneumatic-combustion engine and the associated thermodynamic cycles, which is able to store energy in the form of compressed air. This energy can be issued from a braking phase or from a combustion phase at low power. The potential energy from the air tank can then be restored to start the engine, or charge the engine at full load. The regenerative breaking and the suppression of the idling phases could provide an improvement in terms of fuel economy as high as 15% or more if combined with engine downsizing.

Keywords

• internal combustion engine, pneumatic motor, thermodynamic cycles, pneumatic pump