Alternative vehicle propulsion system with significantly reduced emission values based on cold liquefied air

Scientific Essay from the year 2020 in the subject Physics - Thermodynamics, language: English, abstract: This document describes the development and calculation results of an efficiency-enhanced internal combustion machine (hereinafter referred to as BlueXTurb) with very low emission and consumption values, which can serve as an alternative vehicle power unit. The conventional Joule-Brayton cycle is greatly improved by drastically lowering the compressor outlet temperature and increasing the turbine inlet pressure. The thermodynamic efficiency of the machine is increased by increasing the total pressure ratio to over 500:1. This is made possible by supplying the oxidizer in cold liquid form (approx. -190 C) with the greatest possible density and the least compressibility. The turbo-electric power unit concept promises the greatest advantages for a motor vehicle, i.e. a turbine that directly drives a (high-frequency) generator and can thus be kept at the optimal operating point. This means that electricity is available in a current/voltage conversion - with intermediate storage if necessary. The weight of the energy carrier - cold liquefied air and a small amount of liquid or gaseous fuel - including the vessel can be reduced by at least half compared to the traction battery of an electric vehicle of the same range. Gasoline, natural gas, ethanol, hydrogen, e-fuels or a gas mixture such as hythane can serve as a fuel. Compared to a modern, conventional Otto engine, the CO2 emissions of a car with a gasoline BlueXTurb power unit can be reduced by around 60-70% under realistic conditions. An H2-BlueXTurb enables a cost-effective and compact CO2-free propulsion system. The concept is able to meet the European CO2 emission limits, both as a car power unit and as a truck propulsion system by 2030.