The Propane Air Engine Project

[TommeyLReed]

Hi All,

I would like to show some data on how much energy this system can produce with little if any lost.

My piston area is 3.98in/sq
My power stroke is 16"
My total displacement is (3.98"*16")= 63.68cu/in

At 120 psi the piston produce (120*3.98)=477.6 in/lb
At 16" power stroke the total work done is (16"/12")=1.33  (477.7*1.33)=635.21 foot pound of mechanical work.

1 hp = 33,000 foot pounds per/minute or 550ft/lb/sec

This is how many power stroke needed to produce just 1 hp (746w) per/minute from this ratchet engine design.

33,000/635.21=51.95 power strokes are needed per/minute
Total CFM's@120psi is ((63,68*51.95)/1728)=1.9 CfM's

This is how much liquid propane is needed to produce 1 HP

Propane pressure 120 psi.
1 gram of propane expands to 270grams or 9.52cu/in

This is where the math comes in, I want the liquid to expand to a max of 60 psi and then release from the piston stroke.
Piston area is 63.68, at half the power stoke it is 31.84cu/in this will allow the liquid propane to expand the total length and still have 60 psi in the system.

Total gram of liquid propane needed per power stroke is: 31.84/9.52=3.34 grams of propane
Total output of mechanical work is half of 635.21/2=317.61ft/lb

Amount of liquid propane needed to produce 1 hp is:
(33,000/317.61)=103.90  3.34g*103.90=347.03grams per minute of liquid propane.

347.03 grams=12.241oz.

I would like your opinion?

Tom

[TommeyLReed]

Hi All,

This is the most important part in the linear ratchet engine the valve design.

I'm making this a good design to last longer then PVC, even the valve piston are aluminum machine to my specs.

It will take time to finished, but I'm about half way done.

Enjoy the Show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl5jdNLbp9A

Tom

[fritznien]

have you calculated how much heat you will need to vaporize that much propane?
how will you produce the heat and what about a cold source to condense it again?

[picowatt]

I for one am concerned about leaks!!  Both with propane leaking out and oxygen getting sucked in.  Please be careful...

Also, some form of lubricant will need to be circulated with the propane.  Starting with a belt drive refrigeration compressor would have provided more adequate seals and an oil reservoir.

As far as the hot side/cold side thing goes, and the max power to be had, Carnot will have something to say about that...

PW

[TommeyLReed]

Hi Fritznien,

The question about heat and cooling.

My plan is to use both evaporator and condenser to work together. The condenser will produce heat, the question would be how much.

This heat is running into the evaporate expansion that is cold, unlike air conditioning where the cool air is feed into a home, or car and the Deta t is lost.

This should create a very interesting Deta T effect as a close loop system because of collision of heat and cold.

Picowatt,

I know what your are saying, this is not a toy and can be very dangerous if oxygen get sucked into the system.

Carnot effect is my question also, if two temperatures one being very hot due to compressing and the other very cold due to expanding gas colliding into each other will be something I don't think was ever done before.

I believe the energy to convert gas back to liquid would be far less due to looping the system.

An again, I could be wrong.

Tom