Some engineers have suggested that air compressed into tanks can be used to propel personal transportation vehicles. Current compressed-air tank technology permits us to compress and safely hold air at up to 4000 psia. Tanks made of composite materials require about 10 lbm of construction materials for each 1 ft3 of stored gas. Approximately 0.01 hp is required per pound of vehicle weight to move a vehicle at a speed of 30 miles per hour. What is the maximum range that this vehicle can have?
Account for the weight of the tanks only and assume perfect conversion of the energy in the compressed air.
