Ionic Liquid Scrubber Regeneration With Vacuum Pump Heat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing environmental control systems (ECS) for spacecraft are large, heavy, and power-intensive due to the use of traditional contaminant removal technologies, which increase the overall weight and power consumption of the ECS.

Innovation Solution

The use of an ionic liquid sorbent in an ionic liquid mixture within a contaminant removal system, where the ionic liquid mixture is heated by absorbing pump heat from a vacuum pump, reducing the need for additional heating or cooling mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional contaminant removal technologies are used, then contaminant removal function is achieved, but the ECS becomes large and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removal functionVSAvoidECS weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the absorbent material by using ionic liquids with specific properties (low viscosity, high thermal stability, tunable absorption characteristics). This allows the same contaminant removal function to be achieved with a more compact and lighter system configuration compared to traditional absorbent materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining ionic liquids with solid support matrices or other functional materials. This composite approach enhances the contaminant removal efficiency per unit mass and volume, thereby reducing the overall ECS weight while maintaining reliable performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If traditional contaminant removal technologies are used, then contaminant removal function is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removal functionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the waste heat generated by the vacuum pump into a useful resource by using it to drive the desorption process in the ionic liquid regeneration system. This heat integration eliminates the need for separate heating systems, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective contaminant removal functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the vacuum pump cooling function with the ionic liquid heating function into a single integrated heat exchange system. This combination allows the vacuum pump to cool the ionic liquid during absorption while simultaneously providing the heat needed for desorption, reducing the number of separate components and energy inputs required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If additional heater and cooling mechanism are added, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum pump is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating vacuum for desorption, cooling the ionic liquid during absorption, and providing heat for the desorption process. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling and heating devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed so that the vacuum pump's own operational characteristics (heat generation and cooling capacity) are utilized to serve the thermal needs of the ionic liquid circulation system. The pump essentially serves itself by providing both the mechanical work for vacuum generation and the thermal management required for the absorption-desorption cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 approach reduces the size and weight of the ECS, decreases power consumption, and extends the service life of the vacuum pump, making it more efficient and suitable for resource-limited environments.

Implementation Method 1

a scrubber configured to absorb a contaminant from an air stream into an ionic liquid sorbent in an ionic liquid mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum pump configured to generate the vacuum in the ionic liquid regeneration assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum generation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 3

an ionic liquid regeneration assembly configured to desorb the contaminant from the ionic liquid sorbent under vacuum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 4

the vacuum pump is configured to transfer pump heat to the ionic liquid mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250288944A1Thermal treatment of an ionic liquid mixture of a contaminant removal system

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A contaminant removal system includes a scrubber, an ionic liquid regeneration assembly, and a vacuum pump. The scrubber may be configured to absorb a contaminant from an air stream into an ionic liquid sorbent in an ionic liquid mixture. The ionic liquid regeneration assembly may be configured to desorb the contaminant from the ionic liquid sorbent under vacuum generated by the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump may be configured to transfer pump heat to the ionic liquid mixture.