Emissions Calculation System Using Equipment Utilization Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining emissions from equipment are labor-intensive, expensive, and often rely on broad assumptions, failing to accurately account for all factors influencing emissions, especially for entities operating multiple pieces of equipment.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system that calculates emissions based on equipment utilization and stored data, using fixed and variable parameters to accurately determine greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions from individual pieces of equipment, allowing for efficient allocation across entities and operators, including rented and owned equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to determine emissions from multiple pieces of equipment, then emissions can be estimated, but the process becomes labor-intensive, expensive, and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables equipment to self-report utilization data automatically through sensors and communication modules, eliminating the need for manual data collection. The automated calculation engine then processes this data to determine emissions without human intervention, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data collection methods with electronic sensors, automated communication systems, and computer-based calculation engines. This substitution enables continuous automated monitoring and calculation, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining or enhancing measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If traditional emissions estimation methods are used, then some emissions data can be obtained, but broad assumptions are made that do not account for all factors influencing actual emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from using broad generic emission factors to incorporating specific equipment parameters including engine type, model, year, fuel consumption rate, and actual utilization hours. This parameter-based approach maintains ease of operation through standardized data collection while dramatically improving calculation accuracy by accounting for all relevant factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the emissions calculation process into distinct components: equipment identification, parameter collection (engine specs, fuel consumption, utilization), and calculation execution. This segmentation allows the system to systematically gather and process detailed information for each piece of equipment, improving precision without complicating the overall operation.
3Quantity of substance
If manual methods are used to track equipment utilization and calculate emissions, then emissions data can be determined, but the process is tedious and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous automated monitoring of equipment utilization through sensors that operate throughout the equipment's service life. Data is collected continuously and transmitted to the calculation engine, which processes information in real-time or near-real-time. This continuous operation eliminates gaps in data collection and provides complete emissions data without requiring periodic manual intervention, thus reducing time loss while ensuring data completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures equipment with identification parameters (engine type, model, year) and continuously monitors utilization metrics. By having this data readily available before emissions calculation is needed, the system eliminates the need for retrospective data gathering and manual compilation, significantly reducing the time required to determine complete emissions data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining emissions from a one or more equipment operated by a user for a period. The method includes storing engine data for of the one or more equipment and receiving the utilization of each of the one or more equipment over the period. The emissions are then calculated for each of the one or more equipment based, at least in part, on each of the engines' utilization and engine data. The total of the calculated emissions is then determined.