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 have limited gas capacity, and existing gas adsorbent tanks require improvements in gas capacity and the efficiency of gas adsorption/release processes.
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 direct heated or cooled flows through the vessel, adjusting internal temperature to optimize gas adsorption and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high pressure tanks are used for natural gas storage, then gas storage capacity is limited by maximum design pressure, but the system is simple and reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage mechanism from pressure-based to temperature-based adsorption. By controlling temperature cycles (heating to release gas, cooling to adsorb gas), the system achieves higher gas capacity without proportionally increasing pressure, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and pressure limits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition behavior of gas adsorption and desorption on activated carbon at different temperatures. The adsorbent material transitions between adsorbed and released states based on temperature changes, enabling capacity enhancement beyond pressure-only control
2Quantity of substance
If gas adsorbent tanks are used to increase gas capacity at lower pressure, then gas capacity improves, but temperature control is required for efficient adsorption/release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the HVAC system with the gas storage system by using the same heat exchange fluid for both climate control and temperature regulation of the adsorbent. This integration provides the necessary temperature control for efficient adsorption/release while utilizing existing vehicle infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat exchange fluid as an intermediary between the HVAC system and the gas adsorbent tank. This fluid transfers thermal energy to control the adsorbent temperature, enabling indirect but effective temperature management for optimizing gas capacity
3Productivity
If temperature control systems are added to gas adsorbent vessels, then gas adsorption/release efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the heat exchange fluid serve multiple functions: vehicle climate control and gas storage temperature regulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate temperature control systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving efficient gas adsorption/release
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own HVAC system to provide temperature control for the gas storage, making the storage system self-sufficient without requiring external or dedicated thermal management infrastructure
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 gas adsorption/release by controlling the internal temperature of the adsorbent within the vessel, allowing for enhanced natural gas storage and retrieval.
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
the heat exchange fluid cycles between a heated flow and a cooled flow
Implementation Method 4
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
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.