Onboard CO2 Capture for Concrete Mixer Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle CO2 capture and utilization systems for concrete mixer vehicles are inefficient in reducing emissions and do not effectively utilize captured CO2 for accelerating the curing process of cementitious materials, leading to increased pollution and prolonged curing times.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle CO2 capture and utilization system that includes a concrete mixer vehicle with a vehicle exhaust capture system, featuring fluid pathways, a CO2 capture unit, and a CO2 storage tank, which sequesters CO2 emissions and introduces them into the mixer tank to carbonize cementitious materials, forming CaCO3 and enhancing concrete strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 capture systems are integrated onboard concrete mixer vehicles, then CO2 emissions are reduced and curing process is accelerated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the CO2 capture system, storage tank, and utilization mechanism into an integrated onboard system for concrete mixer vehicles. The exhaust system captures CO2 directly from the vehicle's combustion engine exhaust, stores it in a onboard tank, and injects it into the cementitious material mixture, merging multiple functions (capture, storage, utilization) into a single integrated system that reduces emissions while accelerating curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's own exhaust CO2 emissions to accelerate the curing of the cementitious material it transports. The CO2 captured from the vehicle's exhaust is directly injected into the mixer tank, allowing the system to serve itself by converting its own harmful emissions into a useful resource that improves the curing process, reducing both pollution and curing time.
2Loss of time
If CO2 is introduced into mixer tank to accelerate curing, then curing time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete mixer vehicle is equipped with a multi-functional system that serves multiple purposes: the combustion engine provides propulsion, the exhaust system captures CO2 emissions, the storage tank holds the captured CO2, and the injection system delivers CO2 to the cementitious material. This universal system performs capture, storage, and utilization functions simultaneously, reducing curing time without requiring separate specialized facilities.
3Productivity
If specialized facilities are used for CO2 capture and utilization, then CO2 utilization efficiency is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves high CO2 utilization efficiency by directly capturing CO2 from the vehicle's own exhaust and immediately injecting it into the cementitious material mixture. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external specialized capture facilities, transportation infrastructure, and separate utilization plants, significantly reducing costs while maintaining high utilization efficiency through direct onboard processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the CO2 capture, storage, and utilization functions into a single integrated onboard system, eliminating the need for separate specialized facilities. The exhaust system, storage tank, and injection mechanism are combined in one vehicle platform, reducing infrastructure costs and simplifying the overall system while achieving efficient CO2 utilization for accelerating cement curing.
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 atmospheric CO2 emissions, accelerates the curing process, and improves the mechanical strength of concrete by utilizing captured CO2, while also reducing the need for specialized facilities and processes, thus lowering costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
a CO2 capture unit that is located onboard the concrete mixer vehicle and is fluidly coupled to the vehicle exhaust and the mixer tank
Implementation Method 2
introduces them into the mixer tank to carbonize cementitious materials, forming CaCO3 and enhancing concrete strength
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle C02 capture and utilization system (100) includes a concrete mixer vehicle (110) and a vehicle exhaust capture system (120). The concrete mixer vehicle (110) comprises a vehicle exhaust (114) and a mixer tank (116). The vehicle exhaust capture system (120) is located onboard the concrete mixer vehicle (110). Additionally, the vehicle exhaust capture system (120) includes one or more fluid pathways (170) that fluidly couple the vehicle exhaust (114) and the mixer tank (116).