At the Geneva Motor Show in early 2013, Peugeot-Citroen brought an air hybrid prototype. This hybrid model based on the Citroen C3 is very different from the previously widely used oil-electric hybrid models. It is back at the Shanghai Auto Show this time, and we also interviewed the designer of this system, Mr. Mocatton, who introduced the system to us in detail and answered many of our questions.
Mr. Mokaton's resume
Karim Mokaddem is currently the Executive Manager of the Air Hybrid Program at PSA Peugeot Citroën and President of Technoboost, a joint venture between PSA Peugeot Citroën and the French government. He started his career at the French Petroleum Institute (IFP) in 1996. His previous positions included internal combustion engine engineer, project manager and internal combustion team leader. Mr. Mokaddem holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a PhD in Physics and an Executive MBA. He has authored or co-authored more than 20 international technical papers and patents (promoted internationally), including one awarded the Innovation Award by PSA Peugeot Citroën in 2007.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
What is the principle of air hybrid power?
PSA's air hybrid power system mainly consists of a traditional gasoline power system plus a hydraulic/compressed air power system. The compressed air energy storage unit, hydraulic pump/motor unit and planetary gear set that make up the hydraulic/compressed air power system are all integrated with the automatic transmission.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
Although it is called air hybrid, it actually has a sealed gas compression and release system, and nitrogen is stored in the system. On the one hand, nitrogen is relatively stable, and on the other hand, it avoids the need to draw gas from the outside like commercial vehicles to prevent moisture and dust in the outside air from causing system instability (although the latter also has drying and dust removal measures, it is still not as stable as this kind of closed system).
The air-hybrid system has three operating modes: zero-emission air propulsion, conventional gasoline power, and hybrid mode when more power output is needed.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
In addition, the air hybrid system also has a brake energy recovery function. In the above three modes, during deceleration and braking, the inertial energy is compressed into the energy storage unit through the hydraulic pump to prepare for subsequent aerodynamic propulsion.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
How effective is air hybrid in saving energy?
It can be said that the fuel-saving effect of air hybrid technology in cities is still very obvious. For example, the C3 air hybrid prototype can already achieve a fuel consumption of 2.9 liters per 100 kilometers, and by 2020, it is expected to achieve a fuel consumption of 2 liters per 100 kilometers. Even on larger vehicles, this technology can achieve good fuel-saving effects.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
What are the advantages of air hybrid power?
Regarding his masterpiece, Mr. Mokaton introduced in detail the characteristics of this system compared with traditional hybrid systems.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
First of all, compared with ordinary gasoline-electric hybrid power, the air hybrid system also has no exhaust emissions in the first mode, but the latter can maintain a higher maximum speed of about 70 kilometers per hour, which is more suitable for driving in the city.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
Secondly, compared with conventional batteries (whether lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride or lithium batteries), the air hybrid system is less affected by temperature. Mr. Mokaton told us mysteriously that the initial prototype used the same sealing system as Airbus large and medium-sized passenger aircraft, including the subsequent prototypes, which also used the same compressed air system used in the aviation industry, which can improve its adaptability to the environment.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
In addition, the air hybrid system is more compact, and the compressed air energy storage unit is smaller than the battery pack. Including all components such as hydraulic motors and gas tanks, it only weighs about 100 kilograms more than a traditional gasoline engine. It should be noted that even the plug-in third-generation Prius weighs 150 kilograms just for the battery.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
In addition, this system does not require much maintenance, only regular inspections are required. Due to its brake energy recovery capability, it even reduces the burden on the brake system and reduces the maintenance cost of the brake system.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
Finally, all the equipment in this system can be easily recycled to prevent pollution. As we all know, the disposal of used batteries is troublesome, not only costly, but also easy to cause pollution. In contrast, the hydraulic equipment and gas tanks of the air hybrid system can be easily recycled.
Citroën Air Hybrid System
Are air-hybrid systems safe?
For every new technology, safety is a very important issue for consumers, especially the safety of the pressure vessel of this system. Citroën has made two targeted designs in this regard. One is to seal the gas tank in case of accidents such as collisions; the other is to automatically release the pressure of the gas tank when the gas expands under high temperature and reaches a dangerous pressure value in case of fire. With these two designs, plus the fact that nitrogen itself is relatively stable and non-toxic to the human body, it can be said that the safety is comparable to that of traditional gasoline vehicles.
Summary: Peugeot-Citroen's air hybrid technology is unique and has a good future once it is put into engineering and even large-scale commercial production. According to Mr. Mokaton, this technology will be applied to PSA's B and C-class models around 2016. When asked whether Chinese consumers can enjoy this technology, Mr. Mokaton smiled and said, "Why not?" Let's look forward to this technology really coming to us.
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