Activated Carbon Gas Storage for Pneumatic Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressed air storage cylinders for pneumatic systems are large and heavy, requiring additional components like air dryers and oil separators that increase complexity, weight, and cost, and do not efficiently utilize space in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized gas storage container using activated carbon as an adsorptive material to store compressed air at a lower pressure range of 0.5-4MPa, which increases the effective storage volume while minimizing the size and weight of the container, and acts as a structural support to reduce the need for additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional compressed air storage cylinders are used to store pressurized gas at 12-14 bar, then the storage pressure is sufficient for pneumatic devices, but the size and weight of the storage cylinder become large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs activated carbon, a porous adsorptive material, to store compressed air through adsorption mechanisms. The porous structure of activated carbon provides extensive surface area for gas adsorption, enabling high-density storage at lower pressures (0.5-4 MPa) compared to conventional cylindrical storage, thereby reducing the weight and size of the storage system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter from conventional high pressure (12-14 bar) to lower pressure (0.5-4 MPa) storage, which when combined with adsorption material, achieves equivalent or superior storage capacity with reduced system weight and size
2Quantity of substance
If conventional compressed air storage systems are used, then the storage capacity is adequate, but additional components like air dryers and oil separators are required
Solution Approach 1:
The activated carbon adsorptive material performs multiple functions simultaneously: it stores compressed air through adsorption, dries the air by removing moisture, and filters hydrocarbons and oil contaminants. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air dryers, oil separators, and filters, significantly reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of storage, drying, and filtration into a single integrated adsorption-based storage system. The activated carbon material combines these previously separate functions into one component, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall system architecture
3Reliability
If conventional air dryers and oil separators are added to remove moisture and hydrocarbons, then the system reliability improves, but the weight and cost of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The activated carbon adsorptive material performs multiple functions simultaneously: it stores compressed air through adsorption, dries the air by removing moisture, and filters hydrocarbons and oil contaminants. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air dryers, oil separators, and filters, significantly reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The activated carbon material provides self-service by automatically adsorbing moisture and hydrocarbons from the compressed air as it is stored and released. This passive, automatic contamination removal eliminates the need for additional active drying and filtering components, reducing system weight while maintaining reliability
4Stress or pressure
If conventional compressed air storage cylinders are used, then the operating pressure is maintained, but the space envelope required in the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs activated carbon, a porous adsorptive material, to store compressed air through adsorption mechanisms. The porous structure of activated carbon provides extensive surface area for gas adsorption, enabling high-density storage at lower pressures (0.5-4 MPa) compared to conventional cylindrical storage, thereby reducing the volume and space envelope required in the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter from conventional high pressure (12-14 bar) to lower pressure (0.5-4 MPa) storage, which when combined with adsorption material, achieves equivalent or superior storage capacity with reduced system volume and space requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of activated carbon in the storage container allows for a significant reduction in the size, weight, and cost of the storage container, while providing a flexible and space-efficient solution that can be modularly configured, and acts as a dryer and filter to remove moisture and hydrocarbons, eliminating the need for additional components like air dryers.
Implementation Method 1
A pressurised gas storage container using activated carbon as an adsorptive material to store compressed air
Implementation Method 2
acts as a dryer and filter to remove moisture and hydrocarbons, eliminating the need for additional components like air dryers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
An apparatus (112, 113) that provides pressurised gas to at least one target location (124), comprising at least one region of adsorptive material that increases an effective storage volume of at least one pressurised gas storage container in selective fluid communication with at least one target location, wherein pressurised gas is stored in the container at a positive pressure of about around 0.5MPa to 4MPa. The invention also relates to a method of providing pressurised gas to at least one target location (124) such as a pneumatic system in a vehicle.