Vehicle Cabin CO2 Removal via Sorbent Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The air quality in vehicle cabins, particularly in passenger cars and public transportation, is compromised due to high CO2 levels, which can reach dangerous concentrations due to recirculation of air, posing health and safety risks, and existing air filtration systems are insufficient to address this issue effectively.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight air cleaning system that utilizes sorbents for CO2 removal through a temperature-concentration swing adsorption process, enabling repeated adsorption-desorption cycles with in-situ regeneration, and includes a CO2 sensor to control airflow and switch between adsorption and regeneration modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If air recirculation is used to improve air conditioning efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but CO2 concentration in the cabin increases to dangerous levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts CO2 from the recirculated air stream using selective adsorption materials. The system pulls CO2 out of the air that would otherwise be recirculated, allowing the air conditioning system to maintain high recirculation rates for energy efficiency while actively removing the harmful CO2 component through the adsorption bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (adsorption material such as amine-functionalized materials or metal organic frameworks) that mediates between the recirculated air and the CO2 removal function. This intermediary selectively binds CO2 from the air stream, enabling the system to recirculate air while transferring CO2 to the adsorbent material for later regeneration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If outside air is introduced to reduce CO2 levels, then CO2 concentration decreases, but cooling power requirements increase due to conditioning the inflow
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts CO2 from the cabin air using adsorption beds, allowing the air conditioning system to recirculate conditioned air without introducing large amounts of hot outside air. This extraction approach maintains low CO2 levels while avoiding the energy penalty of conditioning external air.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the air stream by selectively removing CO2 through adsorption. This parameter change allows the system to maintain acceptable CO2 levels with minimal outside air introduction, thereby reducing the thermal load and cooling power requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 removal systems are implemented, then CO2 concentration is reduced to safe levels, but device complexity increases compared to simple air filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic sensor-based control of the adsorption system. CO2 sensors continuously monitor cabin air quality and automatically activate or deactivate the adsorption beds based on predetermined thresholds, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing system complexity while maintaining effective CO2 removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action through cyclic operation of the adsorption beds. The beds are alternately activated and deactivated based on CO2 sensor readings, creating a periodic removal pattern that maintains safe CO2 levels. This periodic operation simplifies control compared to continuous operation while ensuring adequate CO2 removal throughout occupancy periods.
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 system effectively reduces CO2 concentrations in vehicle cabins, maintaining safe levels even in sealed environments, thereby improving occupant health and safety by continuously scrubbing CO2 and regenerating the sorbent material for extended operation without the need for frequent replacement.
Implementation Method 1
at least one type of sorbent material configured to remove CO2 from cabin air of an automotive vehicle according to a repeated adsorption-desorption swing cycle
Implementation Method 2
at least one type of sorbent material configured to remove CO2 from cabin air of an automotive vehicle according to a repeated adsorption-desorption swing cycle
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for an automotive vehicle air cleaning system are provided which may be configured to operate in at least an adsorption mode and an in-situ regeneration mode are disclosed. The system includes at least one type of sorbent material configured to remove CO2 from a cabin of an automotive vehicle according to a repeated adsorption-desorption swing cycle, a first inlet configured to supply a first airflow of air from the cabin to the system during an adsorption mode, and a first outlet configured to return the first airflow after passing over and/or through the sorbent material during the adsorption mode. The system includes a second inlet configured to supply a second airflow of outside air to the system during a regeneration mode, a second outlet to return the second airflow after passing over and/or through the sorbent material during the regeneration mode.