Low-Carbon Fuel Pathways Using Distributed Renewable Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current low carbon intensity energy strategies face challenges in reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the lifecycle of transportation fuels and hydrogen production, including inefficiencies in energy transmission, high carbon intensity in production and transport, and the need for specialized infrastructure and vehicles, which can negate environmental benefits.

Innovation Solution

Implementing systems and methods that integrate low carbon intensity alternative energy sources into feedstock selection, transportation, refining, and distribution pathways, using renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power to reduce carbon emissions across all stages of fuel and hydrogen production, allowing for conventional fuels to be used without the need for special vehicles or infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If renewable power is generated at remote locations and transmitted over long distances, then low carbon intensity energy can be provided to end users, but energy loss occurs during transmission and infrastructure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon intensityVSAvoidenergy loss during transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by integrating renewable energy sources directly at the point of fuel production and distribution infrastructure. Instead of generating renewable power remotely and transmitting it over long distances, the system preliminarily incorporates solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable sources at refineries and fueling stations, eliminating transmission losses while maintaining low carbon intensity benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by deploying distributed renewable energy systems at strategic locations along the fuel supply chain. Rather than relying on centralized remote generation, small-scale renewable sources are placed at refineries, storage facilities, and distribution points, acting as intermediaries that locally offset carbon intensity without requiring long-distance power transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If electric vehicles and home charging stations are adopted, then direct use of low carbon intensity renewable power is achieved, but considerable expense is incurred by end users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon intensityVSAvoidexpense to end user

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the fuel supply chain infrastructure to generate its own renewable energy independently. Refineries and distribution facilities equip themselves with solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems, allowing them to produce low carbon intensity fuel without requiring end users to purchase expensive electric vehicles or home charging stations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by shifting the burden of renewable energy adoption from the consumer side to the supply side. Instead of requiring end users to buy electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, the system places renewable energy systems at the fuel production and distribution facilities, allowing conventional vehicles to access low carbon intensity fuel through existing infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If conventional higher carbon intensity fuels are used in transportation, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but significant carbon emissions are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuse of existing infrastructureVSAvoidcarbon emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges conventional fuel production infrastructure with renewable energy systems. By integrating solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems into existing refineries and distribution facilities, the system maintains ease of operation with conventional infrastructure while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions through on-site renewable energy generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the carbon intensity parameter of conventional fuels by producing them using renewable energy sources. The same existing infrastructure continues to operate, but the energy input parameters are transformed from fossil fuel-based to renewable-based, thereby reducing the carbon emissions of the output fuel without requiring changes to the physical infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11550273B2Systems and methods for holistic low carbon intensity fuel production

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP

AI summary

Systems and methods to provide low carbon intensity (CI) transportation fuels through one or more targeted reductions of carbon emissions based upon an analysis of carbon emissions associated with a combination of various options for feedstock procurement, feedstock refining, processing, or transformation, and fuel product distribution pathways to end users. Such options are selected to maintain the total CI (carbon emissions per unit energy) of the transportation fuel below a pre-selected threshold that defines an upper limit of CI for the transportation fuel.