A Review of Compressed Air Engine in the Vehicle Propulsion System

Engines powered by compressed air as a source of propulsion are known for many years. Nevertheless, this type of drive is not commonly used. The main reason for not using commonly is the problem with the low energy density of the compressed air. They offer a number of advantages, primarily focusing on the possibility of significantly lowering the emissions of the engine. Their emissivity mainly depends on the method of obtaining compressed air. This also has an impact on the economic aspects of the drive. Currently there are only a few, ready to implement, compressed air powered engine solutions available on the market. A major advantage is the ability to convert internal combustion engines to run with compressed air. The study provides a literature review of solutions, focusing on a multifaceted analysis of pneumatic drives. Increasing vehicle approval requirements relating to their emissions performance are encouraging for the search of alternative power sources. This creates an opportunity for the development of unpopular propulsion systems, including pneumatic engines. Analysing the works of some researchers, it is possible to notice a significant increase in the efficiency of the drive, which may contribute to its popularisation.