Design and Mathematical Quantification of a Compressed-Air Vehicle

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Special Issue 01 | Page : 1026 1035
    By

    Pramod Ram Wadate,

  • Ritesh Sudhakar Fegade,

  • Mitali Nitin Gaikwad,

  • Yash Mangesh Sawalkar,

  • Rahul Ankush Shevale,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil School of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, P.G. Moze College of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  3. UG Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil School of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  4. UG Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil School of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  5. UG Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil School of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra,

Abstract

Compressed-air technology is emerging as a promising alternative mode of transportation, offering significant advantages over conventional fuel-operated vehicles. Unlike fossil fuel systems, compressed-air propulsion produces no direct emissions, making it an eco-friendly solution to rising concerns about air pollution and environmental degradation. Owing to its sustainability potential, this technology has attracted considerable attention from researchers, engineers, and energy enthusiasts worldwide, who have conducted extensive studies to improve its efficiency, feasibility, and practical application. The present work contributes to these ongoing efforts by designing and developing a compressed-air vehicle powered by a pneumatic motor. Special emphasis has been placed on addressing the limitations typically associated with compressed-air systems, such as low efficiency and limited operational range. The developed prototype integrates an onboard compressor and an air motor, enabling self-sustained functioning without external refilling. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the vehicle achieves a maximum speed of approximately 30 km/h with an effective runtime of around 30 minutes under standard operating conditions. These results confirm the viability of compressed-air propulsion as a short-distance, low-speed transportation option, particularly suitable for urban mobility where sustainability is a priority. This study not only validates the concept through a working prototype but also provides a foundation for further research aimed at enhancing performance, extending runtime, and broadening the scope of applications for compressed-air vehicles.

Keywords: Compressed-air vehicle (CAV), energy density, recharging, zero-emission, state of charge (SOC), green transportation.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer & Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Pramod Ram Wadate, Ritesh Sudhakar Fegade, Mitali Nitin Gaikwad, Yash Mangesh Sawalkar, Rahul Ankush Shevale. Design and Mathematical Quantification of a Compressed-Air Vehicle. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1026-1035.
How to cite this URL:
Pramod Ram Wadate, Ritesh Sudhakar Fegade, Mitali Nitin Gaikwad, Yash Mangesh Sawalkar, Rahul Ankush Shevale. Design and Mathematical Quantification of a Compressed-Air Vehicle. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1026-1035. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=236662


References

  1. Frederica P. Pollution from fossil-fuel combustion is the leading environmental threat to global pediatric health and equity: solutions exist. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(1). doi:10.3390/ijerph15010016
  2. State of Global Air. State of Global Air report 2024. State Glob Air. 2024 Boston.
  3. Jiannan W, Waseem A. Natural resource scarcity, fossil fuel energy consumption, and total greenhouse gas emissions in top emitting countries. Geosci Front. 2017;15(2):1–15p. doi:10.1016/j.gsf.2017.04.001.
  4. Ana Luiza F, Antonio Márcio T. Carbon emissions in transportation: a synthesis framework. Sustainability. 2023;15(11). doi:10.3390/su15118774.
  5. Hien NLH, Kor AL. Analysis and prediction model of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of light-duty vehicles. Appl Sci. 2022;12:803. doi:10.3390/app12020803.
  6. Fischer M, Werber M, Schwartz PV. Batteries: higher energy density than gasoline?. Energy Policy. 2009;37(7):2639–41p. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2009.02.030.
  7. Li Y, Ha N, Li T. Research on carbon emissions of electric vehicles throughout the life cycle assessment taking into vehicle weight and grid mix composition. Energies. 2019;12:3612. doi:10.3390/en12193612.
  8. Li Q, Yang Y, Yu X, Li H. A 700 W⋅h⋅kg−1 rechargeable pouch type lithium battery. Chin Phys Lett. 2023;40(4):048201. doi:10.1088/0256-307X/40/4/048201.
  9. Burchart D, Przytuła I. Review of environmental life cycle assessment for fuel cell electric vehicles in road transport. Energies. 2025;18:1229 2–28p. doi:10.3390/en18051229.
  10. Felseghi RA, Carcadea E, Raboaca MS, et al. Hydrogen fuel cell technology for the sustainable future of stationary applications. Energies. 2019;12:4593. doi:10.3390/en12234593.
  11. Tucki K, Orynycz O, Mruk R, et al. Modeling of biofuel’s emissivity for fuel choice management. Sustainability. 2019;11:6842. doi:10.3390/su11236842.
  12. Wahlen BD, Morgan MR, McCurdy AT, et al. Biodiesel production from microalgae feedstocks. Energy Fuels. 2013;27(1):220–28p. doi:10.1021/ef3012382.
  13. Papson A, Creutzig F, Schipper L. Compressed air vehicles. Transp Res Rec. 2010;2191:67–74p. doi:10.3141/2191-09.
  14. Kalpesh C, Manish P, Umang S, et al. Study and development of compressed air engine-single cylinder: a review study. Int J Sci Res Dev. 2014;2(5):24–28p.
  15. Thomas JA. Newcomen (1664–1729) and the first recorded steam engine. Proc Inst Civ Eng Transp. 2015;168(6):570–78p. doi:10.1680/jtran.13.00061.
  16. Brian S. James Watt: the steam engine and the commercialization of patents. World Patent Inf. 2008;30(1):53–58p. doi:10.1016/j.wpi.2007.05.009.
  17. Florian Ion TP. Contributions to the Stirling engine study. Am J Eng Appl Sci. 2018;11(4):1258–92p. doi:10.3844/ajeassp.2018.1258.1292.
  18. Jha CK, Suraj V, Shubham KG. Air hybrid bicycle. Int J Eng Manag Res. 2018;8(3):7–9p.
  19. Ashish K, Shrikrushna N, Rahul R, et al. Air-powered vehicle. Int J Res Eng Sci Manag. 2018;1(8):131–33p.
  20. Kripal RM, Gaurav S. Study about engine operated by compressed air (C.A.E): a pneumatic power source. J Mech Civ Eng. 2014;11(6):99–103p. doi:10.9790/1684-116499103.
  21. Ahmad H, Tariq F, Awais A, et al. Performance evaluation of a single cylinder compressed air engine: an experimental study. Acta Mech Autom. 2022;16(2):119–23p. doi:10.2478/ama-2022-0015.
  22. Devang M, Sudhakar S. A comprehensive review on compressed air powered engine. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;70:1119–30p. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2016.12.016.
  23. Yidong F, Yiji L, Anthony PR, et al. A review of compressed air energy systems in vehicle transport. Energy Strateg Rev. 2021;33:100583. doi:10.1016/j.esr.2020.100583.
  24. Rabi AM, Radulovic J, Buick JM. Comprehensive review of compressed air energy storage (CAES) technologies. Thermo. 2023;3:104–26p. doi:10.3390/thermo3010008.
  25. Vishnuvardhan M, Sethu Prasad K, Purushothaman J. Design and experimental investigation of compressed air engine. Mater Today Proc. 2020;33(7):3311–13p. doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2020.04.607.
  26. Xu Y, Zhang H, Yang F, et al. Experimental investigation of pneumatic motor for transport application. Renew Energy. 2021;179:517–27p. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.07.074.
  27. Singh BR, Singh O. Development of a vaned-type novel air turbine. Proc Inst Mech Eng C J Mech Eng Sci. 2008;222(12):2419–26p. doi:10.1243/09544062JMES993.
  28. Bharat RS, Onkar S. Critical effect of rotor vanes with different injection angles on performance of a vaned type novel air turbine. Int J Eng Technol. 2010;2(2):118–23p.
  29. Singh BR, Singh O. Numerical analysis of pressure admission angle to vane angle ratios on performance of a vaned type novel air turbine. Int J Nat Sci Eng. 2009;6(2):94–101p. doi:10.5281/zenodo.1079120.
  30. Singh BR, Singh O. Theoretical investigations on different casing and rotor diameters ratio to optimize shaft output of a vaned type air turbine. Int J Eng Appl Sci. 2010;6(2):102–09p. doi:10.5281/zenodo.1081745.
  31. Singh BR, Singh O. Analytical investigations on different air injection angles to optimize the power output of a vaned-type air turbine. Proc Inst Mech Eng A J Power Energy. 2010;224(3):305–12p. doi:10.1243/09576509JPE837.
  32. Singh BR, Singh O. Effect of different vane angles on rotor-casing diameter ratios to optimize the shaft output of a vaned type novel air turbine. Int J Eng Sci Technol. 2010;2(3):114–21p.
  33. Singh BR, Singh O. Effect of different vane angle on rotor-casing diameter ratios to optimize the shaft output of a vaned type novel air turbine. Int J Eng Sci Technol. 2010;6(4):133–38p. doi:10.5281/zenodo.1334632.
  34. Singh BR, Singh O. Performance investigations for power output of a vaned type novel air turbine. MIT Int J Mech Eng. 2011;1(1):9–15p.
  35. Singh BR, Singh O. Design of compressed air powered motorbike engine: a technology to control global warming if implemented widely. BR Singh India. 2010 May 6.
  36. Dimitrova Z, Maréchal F. Gasoline hybrid pneumatic engine for efficient vehicle powertrain hybridization. Appl Energy. 2015;151:168–77p. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.04.064.
  37. Aw KT, Subiantoro A, Ooi KT. Torque characteristics of the revolving vane air expander. Machines. 2020;8:58. doi:10.3390/machines8030058.
  38. Gillespie TD. Fundamentals of vehicle dynamics. SAE Int J Passeng Cars. 1992;[Internet]. doi:10.4271/R-114.
  39. Rahn C, Wang CY. Battery systems engineering. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Energy Environ. 2013;231–34p. doi:10.1002/9781118517048.refs.
  40. Vu N, Nguyen T, Le H. A new study on calculation of optimum partial transmission ratios of mechanical driven systems using a chain drive and a two-stage helical reducer. Lecture Notes Electr Eng. 2020;13:1–9p. doi:10.1007/978-981-13-8297-0_13.
  41. Zhang H, Kou B, Zhang L. Design and analysis of a stator field control permanent magnet synchronous starter–generator system. Energies. 2023; 16:5125. doi:10.3390/en16135125.
  42. U. Okonkwo, M. C. Osuagwu, C. C. Chiabuotu, and K. C. Aladum. “Design Analysis of a Pneumatic Vehicle”. Journal of Basic and Applied Research International 2023:29 (2):1–15p. https://doi.org/10.56557/jobari/2023/v29i28250.
  43. Kim, MJ., Cho, HJ. & Kang, CG. Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of a Piston Air Compressor of a Railway Vehicle for Abnormal Data Generation. Int. J. Control Autom. Syst. 22, 360–372 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12555-023-0080-9.
  44. Michał Korbut, Dariusz Szpica, Miguel R. Oliveira Panão Modelling of piston pneumatic engine operation using the lumped method. Energy Conversion and Management. 2024;306, 118310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118310.
Special Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Special Issue 01
Received 07/10/2025
Accepted 17/10/2025
Published 09/02/2026
Publication Time 125 Days
84

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics