Gas Storage Canister Catalyst for Carbon Monoxide Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas storage devices filled with activated carbon, such as those for oxygen or carbon dioxide, face issues like the presence of carbon monoxide due to reactions between activated carbon and gases, and heat management challenges that can lead to device failure and inaccurate filling.
Innovation Solution
The use of a steel canister filled with activated carbon and a catalyst, such as Hopcalite, to prevent carbon monoxide formation, combined with a single or two-step filling process through the valve assembly, allows for efficient and accurate storage and dispensing of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If activated carbon is used to store oxygen under pressure, then the storage volume is increased, but carbon monoxide is generated due to reaction between activated carbon and oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
A catalyst is introduced as an intermediary substance between the activated carbon and oxygen. The catalyst facilitates the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the high storage capacity of activated carbon.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful carbon monoxide generated by the reaction between activated carbon and oxygen is converted into beneficial carbon dioxide through catalytic action. This transforms a harmful byproduct into a harmless or even useful substance.
2Productivity
If gas is filled into the canister rapidly, then the filling time is reduced, but heat generation occurs which can lead to device failure
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is pre-cooled before the filling process begins. This beforehand cushioning of cold temperature compensates for the heat that will be generated during rapid filling, preventing excessive temperature rise and potential device failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling process utilizes phase transition effects where the rapid compression of gas generates heat, but the pre-cooled canister and controlled filling rate manage this thermal energy to prevent dangerous temperature increases.
3Volume of moving object
If the canister is made smaller to improve portability, then the storage capacity is reduced, but the filling process becomes more sensitive to heat effects
Solution Approach 1:
The filling process parameters are specifically adjusted for small canisters, including controlled filling rates and pre-cooling temperatures. These parameter changes ensure that heat generation remains manageable despite the small volume and high surface-area-to-volume ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
Small canisters are pre-cooled more extensively before filling due to their greater sensitivity to heat effects. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the limited thermal mass can absorb the heat of compression without causing reliability issues.
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
This solution effectively reduces carbon monoxide levels in the stored gases, improves heat management, and reduces device failure rates, enabling more efficient and reliable gas storage and dispensing in small volume canisters.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a steel canister filled with activated carbon and a catalyst, such as Hopcalite, to prevent carbon monoxide formation
Implementation Method 2
WO2005/054742 discloses a storage container for a gas comprising a sealed vessel containing an amount of activated carbon and a gas which is adsorbed thereon
Implementation Method 3
the adsorption being exothermic
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for dispensing oxygen (30) under pressure. The device comprises a canister (12) filled with activated carbon (14) and oxygen (30) at a pressure of between 4 and 20 barg, when measured at room temperature. The canister is sealed with a valve assembly (18) allowing release of oxygen from the canister on actuation of the valve assembly. To ensure the activated carbon does not react with the oxygen generating carbon monoxide the device further comprises a catalyst (16) that prevents or significantly reduces the presence of carbon monoxide. In a further aspect there is a device (10) for dispensing a gas (30) under pressure which device comprises a canister (12) with a volume of 1 I or less filled with activated carbon (14) to adsorb the gas under a pressure of between 4 and 20 barg when measured at room temperature. The canister (12) is sealed with a valve assembly (18) crimped to the canister over a seal allowing release of the gas (30) from the canister on actuation of the valve assembly, wherein the gas is carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen or air, and the canister is a steel canister. In a particularly favoured embodiment the device is filled with carbon dioxide and includes a high volume discharge valve making it useful as a pet behaviour correction device.