Airgulper Concept: Injecting Air into a Tank - Darin Selby

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of injecting air into a tank, as proposed by Darin Selby, rather than compressing it. Participants explore the feasibility and mechanics of this idea, touching on principles of fluid dynamics and energy transfer. The conversation includes technical critiques and humorous asides.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Darin Selby presents a drawing concept for injecting air into a tank and seeks feedback on its functionality.
  • Some participants suggest that the concept resembles an over-unity device, implying it may not be functional.
  • One participant argues that the design is not about achieving overunity and challenges the critique of the concept.
  • A detailed critique is provided regarding the mechanics of the proposed device, referencing the Bernoulli equation and the concept of an eductor, stating that the design would not work as described.
  • The critique emphasizes that the stagnation pressure in the system cannot be maintained at the same level as the high-pressure tank, and that valves would further reduce efficiency.
  • Concerns are raised about the credibility of similar devices promoted by other individuals, suggesting they may be misleading or fraudulent.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of the air injection concept, with some supporting the idea and others providing technical critiques that challenge its viability. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the functionality of the proposed design.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about fluid dynamics and energy transfer that are not fully explored or agreed upon. There are references to specific technical principles that may require further clarification for those unfamiliar with the concepts.

charioteer
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Please give some feedback on my latest drawing concept of 'injecting air into a tank instead of compressing it'. Thanks. http://darinselby.1hwy.com/airgulper.html
 
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Welcome to PF, Charioteer.
We've already dealt with that concept here. Unless there's something seriously missing from the design, it would be considered an over-unity device (perpetual motion), and is thus not functional.
While I can't remember what thread or even what sub-forum it was in, I know that I've seen that diagram before.
 
Use injection instead of compression to get air into a tank more efficiently.

'Danger', you obviously have not looked at the drawing, because it is not about trying to create overunity. http://darinselby.1hwy.com/airgulper.html
 
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Hey Darin. That Skedaddlethingy cracks me up. At least that’ll work!

But as for the air gulper, … well. :frown:

Let me guess. You don’t know what the Bernoulli equation is do you? Nor how to calculate any of this. But that’s ok, I don’t know how to drive a Skedaddlehopper.

Here’s the scoop. You have “tank pressure in”. That air expands, increasing velocity in order to reduce the static pressure. That lower static pressure is intended to draw air in from outside, where it is accelerated in the flow stream and discharged back into the tank.

I’ve left off your valves for a reason.

The above device is called an eductor. It won’t work the way it’s described and the way it’s shown in your diagram because the (stagnation) driving pressure must be above the (stagnation) discharge pressure due to the transfer of some of the kinetic energy and momentum from the high pressure jet which is used to accelerate the low pressure air source. That energy can’t be recovered, so assuming you have a perfect diffuser (which, by the way, isn’t shaped like a Nautilus seashell, it’s shapped like a gradually expanding cone with a roughly 7 degree included angle) the STAGNATION pressure MUST be lower. The stagnation pressure can never get back up to the same pressure as the high pressure tank. Even if both the driving nozzle and the diffuser were perfecty isentropic, which it can’t be, the final stagnation pressure is lower. It just won’t work…

Of course, I haven’t mentioned your valves yet.

~

Ok, now the valves...

Problem with the valves is they can’t increase the energy of anything without energy input. In fact, they only decrease the efficiency of the perfect eductor because there’s an irreversible pressure drop across the valve. Flow across a valve is called an “isenthalpic” process. It is not isentropic. I realize that doesn’t mean anything to you. What it means however, is the valves reduce the available energy. By adding valves, you can only reduce the effectiveness of your device which won’t work to begin with.

By the way, the website you point to that uses a very similar device and is run by Scott Robertson and/or Donald Robertson is seriously missleading, and might possibly (still) be considered fraudulent. Looks like he cleaned it up just a little bit since the last I saw it a few years ago, removing some of the most flagrent lies.

Must have been those internet police from the BBB.

I wonder who sicked them on that hapless site? :devil:

Still, I’d suggest you not give any of those Robertson folks a ride in your Skeddadlehopper. Give them a wide berth and keep your unpressurized tires rolling on solid ground. Enjoy.
 
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Jeez, Q, I think that you discouraged him. You big bully...
 
Who, me? A bully? :confused:

never thought of myself as a bully before...

Maybe I should take an anger management class.
 
:biggrin:
 

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