Compressed Air Technology Car by Tata

Mini CAT
Tata is poised to release the first Compressed Air Technology (CAT) Car soon. Tata with its recent acquisitions of Jaguar and Land Rover has been testing the technology since early 2007.

 

CAT Engine

As the company strives to increase production of the Nano, the world cheapest car, and start delivery to Eroupe and North America, it would be a chalenge to deliver on this new technology. This new engine operates on four cycles, intake and compression, Combustion, Expansion and Exhaust

 

Here is how it will work – Outside air is injested into the compression chamber and compressed to 20 bar (290 PSI). This is the highest point of pressure so the air will reach 400C. The compressed air is injected with the cooler air from the storage tanks which will cause an expansion and pushes the psitons.

The storage tanks will hold 300 litres of compressed air which has the capability to drive 200Km. It will take 4 hours to refill the storage tank using a normal house hold electrical outlet.