The Propane Air Engine Project

[Rigel4]

As always amazing, I often wonder what your day job is. Are you trying to use this as a heat pump to harvest the expansion? Or just drive the ram? Propane refrigerators are very efficient.

[TommeyLReed]

Hi Rigel4,

I have worked on many types of jobs , building houses, mechanics, welding ,designing , engineering and special projects, I'm mostly retire at 50 now to enjoy my life.

I will do side jobs here and there, but my life is set to enjoy what I love to do build stuff.

I been down the long road with 90+hours per week making money, and could never enjoy life. You don't have to be rich with cash, Knowledge is true power of life. Money is a ego that the Government wants from us all any way.

I got my house a few years ago in N. Pa for 14k, paid cash and fixing it up here and there. Not having large payments is the key to a good life, I moved from Florida where taxes and the cost of living is out of control.

This was a smart move, even if it's cold in the winter time.

Thanks..

[TommeyLReed]

Hi All,

Ok, I Got some data to compress up to 120 psi @20amps or 2200 watts = 2.94hp of mechanical load.

This will change when fill with propane, it should be less energy.

Enjoy this test...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH4MxSBriag

Tom.

[countrymatt]

Not trying to hijack your thread, but thought this information may help.

I do have a thought on using the single radiator. Keep in mind that the thermal energy collected in the engine during expansion will have to be dissipated after compression. I've been looking at this system as a waste heat engine. The more heat you bring in then you have to get it back out too in order to recompress the propane and have it liquefy. What I'm thinking is a water jacket heater on the engine to have environment/waste heat in. What I'm thinking is a stationary setup that uses surplus heat in my attic to run the system. Here's what I've thought of as my ideal thermal cycle between the water and LP.

Water cycle: Water begins in a waste heat collector in the attic. It is pumped to the engine using the mechanical energy of the shaft or electrical power if required. After transmitting the heat to the engine it goes through a counter flow chiller and returns to the waste heat collector.

LP cycle: liquid propane begins in the collector and expands in the engine absorbing ambient and waste heat and is then recompressed. The compressed gas flows first through an ambient temperature heat exchanger then flows the opposing direction through the counter flow chiller. Ending back at the collector on the engine.

Justification: After the heat of compression is released, the coldest possible component in the thermal cycle is then used to chill the working fluid below ambient temperature. Which in turn reduces the pressure required to liquefy it and preheats the water before it returns to the waste heat collector. On the flip side, cooling the propane below ambient temperature requires more energy for it to expand at the same rate

CountryMatt

[TommeyLReed]

Hi All,

To make a propane or air running engine in a efficient way, I have design a simple 3 way linear valve.

Take a look at this;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7WOoMjY4DA

Tom.