Dual-Bed Filter Unit for HVAC CO₂ and Humidity Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems in passenger cabins face challenges in efficiently removing carbon dioxide and humidity, leading to high energy consumption and inadequate air quality, especially in electric vehicles where battery life is affected.
Innovation Solution
A filter unit comprising two adsorption lines with a water adsorbent material and a gas adsorbent material, where the gas adsorbent material is downstream from the water adsorbent material, and each adsorption line is coupled with a heater for regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If CO2 sorbents are used to reduce CO2 concentrations, then energy efficiency of HVAC systems is improved, but working capacity and thermal aging stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different sorbent materials (CO2 sorbent and water desiccant) into a single integrated filter unit with alternating layers. This composite structure allows the system to simultaneously address CO2 removal and humidity control, while the diverse material composition improves overall working capacity and thermal stability compared to single-material sorbents
2Object-affected harmful factors
If desiccant systems are used to reduce humidity, then condensation on windows is reduced, but moisture absorption capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges CO2 sorbent and water desiccant into a unified multi-layer filter unit. This combination allows the system to simultaneously remove both CO2 and humidity from cabin air, with the total moisture absorption capacity distributed across multiple desiccant layers, thereby overcoming the limited capacity of single-layer desiccant systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If large amounts of fresh outside air are introduced to replace cabin air, then CO2 and humidity levels are reduced, but cooling and heating power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful components (CO2 and water vapor) directly from the recirculated cabin air using sorbent materials, eliminating the need to introduce large amounts of fresh outside air. This allows the HVAC system to maintain lower cooling and heating power requirements while effectively controlling CO2 and humidity levels
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 filter unit effectively maintains humidity and carbon dioxide levels within the passenger cabin, reducing energy consumption and extending battery life in electric vehicles by up to 20% and decreasing HVAC system power consumption by up to 12%.
Implementation Method 1
a water adsorbent material, for example, in the form of water adsorbent particles in a packed bed
Implementation Method 2
a gas adsorbent material, for example, in the form of gas adsorbent particles in a packed bed
Implementation Method 3
a heater coupled to each packed bed in each adsorption line
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are embodiments of a filter unit containing a water adsorbent material in the form of water adsorbent particles in a packed bed and a gas adsorbent material in the form of gas adsorbent particles in a packed bed. In embodiments, the gas adsorbent material is downstream from the water adsorbent material in a direction of operation. Further disclosed are methods of preparing and using the filter units.