Heat Exchanger TEG for Engine Exhaust CO2 Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems that extract CO2 from internal combustion engine exhausts often reduce the operating efficiency of vehicles and require additional heat sources to release CO2 from absorbent fluids.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger system equipped with a thermal electric generator (TEG) that utilizes the temperature difference between engine exhaust and a CO2 absorbent fluid to release CO2 and generate electricity, eliminating the need for a separate heat source and enhancing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a heat exchanger system is used to separate CO2 from exhaust, then CO2 separation efficiency is improved, but vehicle operating efficiency deteriorates due to additional energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the exhaust gas itself as the heat source to heat the CO2 absorbent fluid and release captured CO2, eliminating the need for external energy input. The exhaust heat that would otherwise be wasted is now utilized to drive the CO2 release process, making the system self-sufficient and not burdening the vehicle's operating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical heating systems with a thermal electric generator (TEG) that directly converts the temperature difference between hot exhaust gas and cooled absorbent fluid into electrical energy. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts and reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective CO2 release
2Quantity of substance
If traditional heat exchanger systems are used for CO2 release, then CO2 can be released from absorbent fluid, but additional heat sources are required increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger and thermal electric generator into a single integrated unit. The heat exchanger performs both cooling of exhaust gas and heating of CO2 absorbent fluid simultaneously, while the TEG embedded within utilizes the temperature gradient to generate electricity. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating systems and reduces overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the exhaust gas, heats the CO2 absorbent fluid to release captured CO2, and generates electrical energy through the thermal electric generator. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated heating equipment, simplifying the overall system architecture
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 separates and stores CO2 while generating electricity from waste heat, improving vehicle efficiency and reducing emissions without compromising operating efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermal electric generator (TEG) configured to couple thermally the exhaust gas chamber to the absorber fluid chamber in a manner effective to heat the CO2 absorbent fluid by heat from the engine exhaust to release CO2 gas from the CO2 absorbent fluid, and generate electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger includes an exhaust gas chamber configured to guide engine exhaust through the heat exchanger; an absorber fluid chamber configured to guide CO2 absorbent fluid through the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A system for separating carbon dioxide gas from internal combustion engine exhaust and an electricity generating heat exchanger for the system. The system includes a scrubber tank containing a carbon dioxide absorbent fluid and configured to bubble exhaust gas from the heat exchanger through the carbon dioxide absorbent fluid, whereby carbon dioxide gas is absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorbent fluid. A carbon dioxide storage means stores the carbon dioxide released in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger cools the exhaust gas emitted by the internal combustion engine, and includes a thermal electric generator (TEG) configured to couple thermally the exhaust gas chamber to the absorber fluid chamber in a manner effective to heat the CO2 absorbent fluid by heat from the engine exhaust to release CO2 gas from the CO2 absorbent fluid and generate electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween.