Dec 19 2011
New engine technology developer, the Dearman Engine Company (DEC), has completed its first round of seed fund-raising, closing more than 30% oversubscribed.
With funding in place, it has commenced development work of a novel zero emission powertrain technology working with leading UK engineering consultancy, Ricardo UK, and several top UK academics.
Inventer Peter Dearman with prototype liquid air powered vehicle.
DEC is developing a highly novel – and patented - piston engine technology which uses liquid (cryogenic) air as the working fluid. The exhaust is cold air which can be harnessed for cooling. The powertrain has similar energy density to batteries, but potentially significant advantages including weight, operational life, capital cost and refueling times.
The engine has been the subject of a 4 year PhD at Queen Mary University of London as well as independent analysis at University of Leeds. A proof-of-concept model has been lab tested proving to be far more efficient than previously built designs for a liquid air engine, while the inventor has powered a car at more than 30mph with only cold air in the exhaust.
Says company founder, Toby Peters, “The work to date has delivered and validated a proof of concept engine which produces positive power and confirmed that there are a number of suitable applications. The next stage is now the engineering to optimise the sub-systems and produce a commercial demonstrator. Our work to date has confirmed there are currently no show-stoppers”
Cryogenic-powered vehicles are not a new idea, but, as Peters explains, the engine invented by Peter Dearman operates in a different way to produce much more power:
“Peter invented a process whereby you inject a heat-exchange fluid, such as anti-freeze and water into the head of the piston just before you inject the liquid nitrogen. The result of that is that all the expansion takes place inside the cylinder. And because you’ve got this volume of heat-exchange fluid, it’s isothermal expansion, so it keeps the temperature the same, which is far more efficient.”
The engine is likely to be suitable for a broad range of significant, zero emission applications from fork-lift trucks and within the mining industry through to inland waterways and, longer term, on-road applications where it would be particularly efficient as fuel for refrigerated delivery trucks (harnessing the cold air for cooling).
Using liquid air (or liquid nitrogen) as a fuel has the advantage of relying on the existing industrial gases distribution infrastructure. But it could also be generated in remote places using renewable energy sources and a small liquefaction plant, possibly even as a solution for power and cooling on military bases says the Company.
DEC is currently undertaking detailed feasibility studies. Says Peters, “Critically it is a rigorous independent technology review and engine feasibility study against commercial requirements by a highly respected global engineering consultancy.” Peters said the key engineering challenge is around optimising the injection of liquid nitrogen into the cylinder but that all the technologies involved, including in-vehicle storage, were mature enough not to be showstoppers.
Working alongside Ricardo, the company enjoys the active support of a team of research experts from Loughborough, Brighton, Leeds and Queen Mary Universities and STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. “This team will meet regularly to support the work of Ricardo and specifically bring specific expertise around different aspects of this very novel engine technology,” says Peters.
In 2012, DEC anticipates securing additional funding from private equity and grants for full engine development and testing. The programme is expected to take 20 months including testing.