Heating and cooling system for an on-board gas adsorbent storage vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high pressure tanks for natural gas storage on vehicles have limited gas capacity, and existing adsorbent tanks require improvements in gas absorption and release efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control system for gas adsorbent storage vessels using a continuous flow loop of heat exchange fluid with by-pass lines to adjust internal temperature, allowing heated or cooled flows to be directed through the vessel to optimize gas absorption and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high pressure tanks are used for natural gas storage, then the storage pressure is high, but the gas capacity is limited by maximum design pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using temperature as a control parameter instead of relying solely on pressure. By cooling the adsorbent bed, the system increases gas capacity at a given pressure, effectively changing the storage parameter from pressure-only to temperature-pressure control, thereby resolving the contradiction between gas capacity and design pressure limits
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite materials by combining adsorbent materials (such as activated carbon or metal-organic frameworks) with temperature control mechanisms. This composite approach allows the system to achieve higher gas capacity than conventional pressure-only storage by utilizing both the adsorption properties of the material and the thermal control system
2Quantity of substance
If adsorbent is used to store gas at lower pressure, then gas capacity at maximum design pressure is improved, but temperature control is required for optimal absorption and release
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameter from isothermal to non-isothermal by implementing active temperature control. By varying the temperature of the adsorbent bed, the system optimizes gas absorption during charging and release during discharge, thereby maintaining high gas capacity at maximum design pressure while managing the temperature effects that would otherwise degrade performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the adsorbent bed before gas charging. This preliminary temperature adjustment prepares the adsorbent to maximize gas uptake at the intended pressure, ensuring optimal gas capacity is achieved before the actual storage operation begins
3Quantity of substance
If temperature is controlled to improve gas absorption and release, then gas capacity and efficiency increase, but system complexity increases with heating and cooling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using the gas itself as the cooling medium during charging. As high-pressure gas flows into the adsorbent bed, it naturally cools the bed through expansion and heat exchange, eliminating the need for external refrigeration systems. This self-cooling mechanism maintains gas capacity while dramatically reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the flowing gas as an intermediary to transfer heat away from the adsorbent bed during charging. This intermediary approach allows temperature control to be achieved through the natural thermal properties of the gas itself rather than requiring separate heating and cooling infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining gas capacity
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
Increases the gas storage capacity and efficiency of natural gas absorption and release within the adsorbent storage vessel by precisely controlling the internal temperature.
Implementation Method 1
an air conditioning system forming a continuous flow loop of heat exchange fluid that is directed through one or more air conditioning system components such that the heat exchange fluid cycles between a heated flow and a cooled flow
Implementation Method 2
the by-pass flow is directed through the gas adsorbent storage vessel via the by-pass line(s) so as to adjust an internal temperature within the gas adsorbent storage vessel
Implementation Method 3
an adsorbent, such as activated carbon or a metal-organic framework (MOF), may be used within a tank of similar volume to store the same amount of gas at a lower pressure
Implementation Method 4
improving the manner in which natural gas is absorbed/released within each tank
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a system for controlling the temperature within a gas adsorbent storage vessel of a vehicle may include an air conditioning system forming a continuous flow loop of heat exchange fluid that is cycled between a heated flow and a cooled flow. The system may also include at least one fluid by-pass line extending at least partially within the gas adsorbent storage vessel. The fluid by-pass line(s) may be configured to receive a by-pass flow including at least a portion of the heated flow or the cooled flow of the heat exchange fluid at one or more input locations and expel the by-pass flow back into the continuous flow loop at one or more output locations, wherein the by-pass flow is directed through the gas adsorbent storage vessel via the by-pass line(s) so as to adjust an internal temperature within the gas adsorbent storage vessel.