Method for tracking greenhouse effect gas emissions

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a robust and detailed method for tracking greenhouse effect gas emissions from fuel in at least one combustion engine powered by at least one fuel comprising any proportion of fossil fuel and renewable fuel, applicable to at least one vehicle or vehicle fleet taking into account the payload and / or the number of passengers, in order to allow and facilitate the display of the contribution to the carbon footprint of a mono-fuel, bi-fuel or flex-fuel combustion engine, or a combustion engine powered by E100 to E05 fuel, or by at least one fuel comprising any proportion of fossil fuel and renewable fuel, taking into account the payload and / or the number of passengers, in real time or after the vehicle mission has been completed, to the vehicle driver, a fleet manager and / or an administrator of any kind.

Description

Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for “METHOD FOR TRACKING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS”

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions applicable to internal combustion engines used in vehicles powered by at least one fuel with any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel. STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0002] In order to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, several alternatives for replacing the internal combustion engine are available. However, the best solution to this dilemma must take into account the geographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the country, its energy matrix, its emissions legislation and the environmental impact of the fuel's carbon emissions throughout its life cycle.

[0003] Brazil has a strong reputation for its flex-fuel vehicle fleet, long experience in the use of fuel ethanol and its distribution network. This sets it apart from other global markets and justifies a unique approach to reducing CO2 emissions.

[0004] However, there are some limitations to the use of dual-fuel engines (popularly known as “flex” engines). To meet the demand for using two fuels in a single tank, the sizing of a flex engine tends to be intermediate, since the sizing of single-fuel engines is different, depending on whether the fuel is ethanol or gasoline. This is because the vast majority of dual-fuel engines usually have a single geometric compression ratio, which represents the proportion between the aspirated volume plus the combustion chamber volume in relation to the combustion chamber volume).

[0005] In its stroke, the piston reaches a higher and a lower point in its displacement, called respectively top dead center (TDC) and bottom dead center (BDC).

[0006] Typically, a passenger vehicle engine has four strokes: 1. Admission 2. Compression 3. Combustion 4. Escape

[0007] The effect of the compression ratio is evident in the second stroke - the intake valves close after the injection of the air / fuel mixture and this is compressed so that the combustion process can begin. This is how the engine's geometric compression ratio is obtained: the ratio between the volume of the piston's combustion chamber at its bottom dead center BDC (largest volume) and its top dead center TDC (smallest volume).

[0008] Gasoline engines typically use lower compression ratios (typically between 8:1 and 12:1), while ethanol-powered engines perform better with higher ratios (12:1 or even 16:1).

[0009] Dual-fuel engines are designed to operate with an intermediate compression ratio, which may vary depending on the engine manufacturer. Those that prioritize performance with gasoline, offering the option with ethanol only for market reasons, opt for lower ratios, between 10:1 and 11.5:1. This fact can be seen when observing the power and torque figures with both fuels. For example, an engine delivers 144 horsepower with ethanol and 141 with gasoline. However, when observing consumption, the figures are very high with ethanol (5.5 km / l) and good with gasoline (9 km / l).

[0010] As can be seen, performance with ethanol is impaired compared to gasoline, and using ethanol becomes advantageous only when its price drops significantly, to values ​​below 61% of the price of gasoline, a condition that is difficult to occur. Therefore, drivers tend to almost always fill their vehicles with gasoline.

[0011] There are large variations in power and torque figures in engines designed to run on ethanol. For example, 111 horsepower for ethanol and 104 horsepower when running on gasoline. Thus, the viability of using ethanol is seen when the price of ethanol is 73% or even 80% of that of petroleum, since the consumption figures are very similar for both fuels, such as 7.5 km / l (E) and 9.5 (G).

[0012] Flex-fuel vehicles can run on E100 (hydrated ethanol) or E27 (gasoline with 27% anhydrous ethanol) in any portion or blend. The energy density of ethanol is about 30% lower than that of E27, so the range with ethanol is 30% lower. The price should not be linked to this characteristic, since gasoline and ethanol have different matrix and production chains. Unfortunately, the reality is different: the price of E100 is usually about 30% lower than that of gasoline, especially in ethanol-producing states. In this sense, even though there are strong points for selecting E100 ethanol at the time of refueling (higher torque, renewable fuel, etc.), the choice is still made very randomly or personally, without taking into account the reduction of CO2 emissions and other gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect.

[0013] As can be seen in recent years, several climate conferences (OOP, for example) have been held by representatives from many countries, with the clear objective of discussing climate change, finding solutions to the environmental problems affecting the planet and negotiating agreements to reduce emissions. In this scenario, countries and companies, as well as car manufacturers, are in a tough race towards carbon neutrality, so that the average temperature of the globe and therefore the temperature of the Earth does not exceed a certain level (calculated today as +1.5°C on average, compared to the pre-industrial era).

[0014] Throughout history, the use of ethanol has had several different motivations: • In the 1970s: the oil crisis raised its price, putting national energy independence at risk; • In the 2000s: the price and availability of ethanol could be a deciding factor when it comes to refueling; • In the 2020s: the use of bioenergy to contribute to global CO2 targets and avoid climate catastrophe.

[0015] Given these historical motivations, the presentation of traceable information on greenhouse gas emissions contributes to the “ecological footprint”. The ecological footprint is understood as an indicator of environmental sustainability and refers to the amount of land and water that would be needed to sustain current generations, taking into account all the material and energy resources used by a given population. The ecological footprint compares the planet’s biocapacity with the demand for natural resources needed to produce consumer goods and services.

[0016] The ecological footprint is the best-known indicator when it comes to measuring the impacts of human action on the environment. Together with the carbon footprint and the water footprint, the three “footprints” make up what is known as the “Footprint Family”. The three indicators in this family are complementary and allow us to analyze the multiple aspects of the consequences of human activities on natural capital. • Ecological Footprint - measures humanity's impacts on nature, analyzing the amount of bioproductive area needed to meet people's demand for natural resources and to absorb carbon. • Carbon Footprint - measures the impacts of human activities on the biosphere, quantifying the effects of resource use on the climate. • Water Footprint - measures the impacts that human actions cause on the hydrosphere, monitoring real and hidden water flows.

[0017] More specifically, the carbon footprint is the calculation of the total emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), associated with human activities on the planet. The calculation includes emissions that originate from the production, use and disposal of products or services.

[0018] Therefore, the presentation of traceable information on greenhouse gas emissions emitted by a given vehicle or fleet and their contribution to the “ecological footprint” can help with the decision to choose between E100 and E05 when refueling.

[0019] In this context, there are patent documents, such as patent document W021028140, which discloses a system and method that show drivers their contribution to the green footprint. However, this patent document is silent on details of how this method is implemented. Furthermore, this document is entirely focused on hybrid vehicles, and is completely silent on flex-fuel vehicles, vehicles powered by E100 to E05, or vehicles powered by at least one fuel that has any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel.

[0020] There is also patent document BR102022009523-0 which, despite revealing a method for tracking emissions from a combustion engine.

[0021] However, it is necessary to know, even knowing the carbon footprint of a vehicle on a specific route, with a specific fuel / onboard energy, the attribution of the correct contribution of greenhouse gases to the payload or number of passengers, as well as to promote conscious mobility, transporting the possible number of people in the same vehicle in a precise way. And both documents are silent on solutions to this problem.

[0022] Thus, the present invention aims to overcome this drawback of previous techniques not presenting a robust and detailed method that allows and makes it possible to present the contribution of a vehicle or fleet to the green footprint considering the payload and / or the number of passengers. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention aims to provide a robust and detailed method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions from fuel in at least one combustion engine powered by at least one fuel with any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel applicable to at least one vehicle or in a fleet taking into account the payload and / or the number of passengers, in order to allow and facilitate the presentation of the contribution of a combustion engine of the mono-fuel, bi-fuel, flex or powered by E100 to E05 type or even powered by at least one fuel that is equipped with any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel for the green footprint considering the payload and / or the number of passengers, in real time. or after the vehicle's mission has been completed, to the vehicle driver, to a fleet manager and / or to any administrator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Aiming to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention describes a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions in at least one combustion engine powered by at least one fuel with any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel applicable to vehicles, said method comprising the steps of • process data relating to vehicle emissions during at least one mission; • process at least one piece of data associated with at least one transported load; • process at least one emissions value related to at least one unit of cargo transported; • generate at least one emissions value related to at least one unit of cargo transported. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Figure 1 - Schematic embodiment of the method that is the object of the present invention. Figure 2 - Schematic embodiment of the method that is the object of the present invention for application in light or passenger vehicles. Figure 2 - Schematic embodiment of the method that is the object of the present invention for application in cargo vehicles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0025] In order to achieve efficient traceability of greenhouse gas emissions from fuel in at least one vehicle or in a fleet, the present invention describes, as can be seen in figure 1, a method that allows and enables the visualization of the contribution of a vehicle or a fleet equipped with mono or multi-engine engines. bi-fuel, flex or E100 and E05 for the green footprint, in real time or after the vehicle's mission has been completed, for the vehicle driver, for a fleet manager and / or for a generator manager

[0026] In this sense, the present invention discloses for tracking greenhouse gas emissions in at least one combustion engine powered by at least one fuel with any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel applicable to vehicles, said method comprising the steps of • process data relating to vehicle emissions during at least one mission 1 ; • process at least one piece of data associated with at least one transported load 2; • process at least one emissions value related to at least one transported cargo unit 3; • generate at least one emissions value related to at least one unit of cargo transported 4.

[0027] Data is understood to be any electrical signal or set of signals.

[0028] Renewable fuel means any biofuel or synthetic fuel (also known as e-fuel). Synthetic fuels are fuels altered by anthropogenic processes, through chemical reactions and the most common processes used in production are gasification, pyrolysis and hydrolysis. They are obtained from coal, biomass, as well as water and carbon dioxide (CO2) available in the atmosphere. In the latter case, as the fuel already uses CO2 in its production, during combustion this component can be removed, which reduces its emission into the atmosphere. Biofuel (also called agrofuels) is a renewable energy source that originates from plants, such as seeds and fruits. The main biofuel The most commonly used biofuel is ethanol, but there are others such as biogas and biodiesel. For the present invention, preferably, the biofuel used is ethanol, but it is not limited to this fuel, and the use of any other fuel may be permitted.

[0029] Preferably, a combustion engine powered by at least one fuel with any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel is understood to be a dual-fuel engine (flex type). However, the invention also allows the engine to be a mono-fuel engine powered by ethanol or any other biofuels or synthetic fuels. This engine may preferably be associated with a vehicle.

[0030] Data relating to vehicle emissions during at least one mission are data obtained from • quantity of fuel present in the tank and / or consumed (fossil fuel / renewable fuel); • energy efficiency of fuels; • energy density of fuels; • CO2 generated from the consumption of fossil fuel and renewable fuel; • any other data.

[0031] Thus, data relating to vehicle emissions during at least one mission are data relating to • tons of CO2 saved or not emitted; • potential for unsaved or emitted CO2; • decarbonization credit (CBIO) or any other similar credits; • volume / quantity of a specific fuel used; • average consumption of ethanol or any other biofuel or synthetic fuel; • any other data.

[0032] Data relating to vehicle emissions during at least one mission are preferably processed in a control unit, also called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit - responsible for electronically managing all engine operation) already present in the vehicle (for example, in the case of the amount of fuel present in the tank and / or consumed), as well as from data entered automatically or manually by a user (energy density of fuels). However, embodiments in which the processing is done by a computer, notebook or any other local or remote processing means connected via cable or wirelessly (wireless) through data transmission are permitted.

[0033] Data transmission carried out by wireless means means any transmission of any data carried out by means of • Broadcast Radio. • Telephone communications. • Infrared. • Bluetooth. • Microwave communication. • Satellite communication. • Wi-Fi.

[0034] Data transmission via a connectivity unit is also permitted. A connectivity unit is understood to be an on-board computer or internet hub.

[0035] The data relating to vehicle emissions during at least one mission is internal vehicle data and can be an NFT - Non-Fungible Token, which functions as the vehicle's “DNA”. The NFT is basically a digital property title that cannot be forged, but can be issued and traded entirely online, efficiently and securely. An NFT is capable of guaranteeing the ownership of a digital asset or the authorship and licensing of a work securely in the digital universe.

[0036] Tokens in general (NFTs among them) run on a protocol called blockchain, which is a system that allows you to track the sending and receiving of certain types of information over the internet. These are pieces of code generated online that carry connected information, like blocks of data that form a chain. This system allows the operation and transactions of so-called cryptocurrencies, which are fully encrypted and decentralized. Therefore, NFTs represent a great opportunity to secure any type of digital contract, without intermediaries, so that it has an irrevocable record and the purchase and sale takes place through exclusive digital platforms for NFT negotiations.

[0037] Thus, the present invention describes, in a particular embodiment, a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, where the processing steps are performed by a processing unit, in which processing units embedded in the vehicle or even remote are allowed. Thus, all processing steps are performed by a processing unit, in which processing units embedded in the vehicle or even remote are allowed.

[0038] Cargo transported is understood to be any type of cargo transported by the vehicle during its mission (live cargo, paid cargo or objects with mass and / or volume, which may be solid, liquid, in bulk, etc.).

[0039] Additionally, the present invention discloses a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, such that the step of processing data relating to vehicle emissions during at least one mission 1 comprises • process at least one piece of data associated with the total carbon intensity related to at least one fossil fuel and at least one renewable fuel 11 ; • process at least one piece of data related to combustion engine performance during at least one mission 12.

[0040] Additionally, the present invention also describes a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, such that the step of processing at least one piece of data associated with at least one transported load 2 comprises the steps of • insert at least one value relating to at least one unit of cargo transported 21 ; • process and generate at least one value related to the total cargo transported 22; • validate at least one value related to the total load transported 23.

[0041] Validation of the total amount of cargo transported is essential to ensure the accuracy of the values ​​presented for the contribution of a single-fuel, dual-fuel, flex-fuel or E100 to E05 combustion engine, or those powered by at least one fuel that has any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel, to the green footprint, considering the payload and / or number of passengers, in real time or after the vehicle's mission has been completed, for the vehicle driver, a fleet manager and / or any administrator. Discrepancies between the data initially entered and the actual weight, volume or unit data may lead to incorrect information, not guaranteeing the integrity of the solution to the technical problem that the aforementioned method is intended to solve, as well as the other technical advantages presented.

[0042] The insertion and validation of at least one value related to at least one unit of cargo transported can be done in two ways: main modes mentioned below, depending on the load transported (any other modes being permitted). The measurement of greenhouse gases can be done in tank-to-wheel, well-to-wheel, or even considering the assessment of the vehicle's life cycle (gCO2e / km).

[0043] The main modes are, according to the type of load: • By using sensors already present in the passenger vehicle (seat belt sensor, weight sensor, internal video recording, etc.), it is possible to correlate the tracking of greenhouse gases with the identification of the personnel in the car, adding to each one the related carbon footprint throughout the mission. • By using sensors already present on the cargo vehicle (meters, weight estimators, etc.) or also external measurement systems (load measurement systems along the road), it is possible to correlate the tracking of greenhouse gases with the weight of any specific load (per kg, per ton, etc.) or per unit (for example, if a truck is transporting 1500 laptops), adding to each one the related carbon footprint throughout the mission.

[0044] Therefore, in addition, the present invention also discloses a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, so that the step of validating at least one value related to the total amount of cargo transported 23 comprises the steps of • receive at least one piece of information relating to the value of the total load transported by means of a validation element 231; • compare at least one piece of information related to the value related to the total amount of cargo transported through a validation element received with the value related to the total transported load entered 232. • performing at least one action 233 between issuing information of conformity between the value related to the totality of the transported load received from the means of a validation element with the value related to the totality of the transported load entered 2331; issuing information of non-conformity between the value related to the totality of the transported load received from the means of a validation element with the value related to the totality of the transported load entered and interrupting the processing of at least one data associated with at least one transported load 2332.

[0045] In yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention also describes a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, wherein the step of validating at least one value related to the total amount of cargo transported 23 comprises a validation means electronically associated with the processing unit.

[0046] This means of validation preferably, but not necessarily, includes sensors already existing in the vehicle, or even external measurement systems electronically associated with the processing unit by means of connectors, cables, connectors or wireless, and may also be local or remote.

[0047] In another alternative embodiment, the present invention also describes a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, wherein the step of generating at least one emissions value related to at least one transported cargo unit 4 comprises at least one of the steps of • generate at least one emissions value related to at least one unit of cargo transported 41 ; • present at least one emissions value related to at least one unit of cargo volume transported 42.

[0048] In the case of the step of generating at least one emissions value related to at least one transported load unit 4, the processing can be done, preferably, by means of a remote unit (external computer, or even on a server located in a cloud) so as not to demand more resources from an ECU. However, it is not limited to this configuration, admitting the possibility of such processing and generation being executed perfectly by the ECU, by means of any other processing units on board the vehicle or even remote.

[0049] Thus, in yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention also describes a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, wherein the step of generating at least one emissions value related to at least one transported cargo unit 4 is performed by a processing unit.

[0050] In another alternative embodiment, the present invention describes a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, wherein the step of presenting at least one emissions value related to at least one transported cargo unit 42 comprises presenting the emissions value by means of at least one display.

[0051] A display is understood to be a screen or similar, which may be a touchscreen or any other type.

[0052] In yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention describes a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, wherein the step of displaying at least one emissions value related to at least one transported cargo unit 42 comprises presenting the emissions value by means of at least one audible signal.

[0053] An audible signal is understood to be any signal emitted by any device to disseminate information.

[0054] The present invention also describes a method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, such that the vehicle comprises a dual-fuel combustion engine, although engines powered by more than two fuels are permitted.

[0055] In this sense, the present invention fulfills the objective of providing a robust and detailed method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions from fuel in at least a combustion engine powered by at least one fuel with any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel applicable to at least one vehicle or in a fleet taking into account the payload and / or the number of passengers, in order to allow and facilitate the presentation of the contribution of a combustion engine of the mono-fuel, bi-fuel, flex or powered by E100 to E05 type or even powered by at least one fuel that is equipped with any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel for the green footprint considering the payload and / or the number of passengers, in real time or after the vehicle's mission has been completed, to the vehicle driver, to a fleet manager and / or to any administrator.

[0056] Therefore, the present invention is also part of a package of solutions that fulfill the role of encouraging the use of biofuels, as well as synthetic fuels, and consequently reducing the emission of greenhouse gases from internal combustion engines.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions in at least one combustion engine powered by at least one fuel with any proportion between fossil fuel and renewable fuel applicable to vehicles, said method being characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps of • process data relating to vehicle emissions during at least one mission (1); • process at least one piece of data associated with at least one transported load (2); • process at least one emissions value related to at least one unit of cargo transported (3); • generate at least one emissions value related to at least one unit of cargo transported (4).

2. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing steps are performed by a processing unit.

3. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the step of processing data relating to vehicle emissions during at least one mission (1) comprises • process at least one piece of data associated with the total carbon intensity related to at least one fossil fuel and at least one renewable fuel (11); • process at least one data related to combustion engine performance during at least one mission (12).

4. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the step of processing at least one piece of data associated with at least one transported load (2) comprises the steps of • enter at least one value related to at least one unit of cargo transported (21); • process and generate at least one value related to the total cargo transported (22); • validate at least one value related to the total load transported (23).

5. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the step of validating at least one value related to the totality of transported cargo (23) comprises the steps of • receive at least one piece of information relating to the value of the total load transported by means of a validation element (231); • compare at least one information related to the value related to the total load transported by means of a validation element received with the value related to the total load transported entered (232). • perform at least one action (233) between issuing information of conformity between the value related to the totality of the transported load received from the means of a validation element with the value related to the totality of the transported load entered (2331); issuing information of non-conformity between the value related to the totality of the transported load received from the means of a validation element with the value related to the totality of the transported load entered and interrupting the processing of at least one data associated with at least one transported load (2332).

6. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the step of validating at least one value related to the totality of transported cargo (23) comprises a validation means electronically associated with the processing unit.

7. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of generating at least one emissions value related to at least one transported cargo unit (4) comprises at least one of the steps of • generate at least one emissions value related to at least one unit of cargo transported (41); • present at least one emissions value related to at least one unit of cargo volume transported (42).

8. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions according to claim 6, characterized in that the step of generating at least one emissions value related to at least one transported cargo unit (4) is performed by a processing unit.

9. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the step of presenting at least one emissions value related to at least one transported cargo unit (42) comprises presenting the emissions value by means of at least one display.

10. Method for tracking greenhouse gas emissions according to claim 6, characterized in that the step of displaying at least one emissions value related to at least one transported cargo unit (42) comprises presenting the emissions value by means of at least one audible signal.

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