On-board Fuel Desulfurization Using Microwave Sorbent Regeneration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sorbent bed regeneration systems for removing sulfur from fuels require high thermal energy, making them impractical for on-board use in vehicles due to the need for bulky heat exchangers and reduced efficiency, and limiting the sorbent bed's life.

Innovation Solution

An athermal sorbent bed regeneration system using microwave energy to disrupt adsorptive forces between sulfur-containing molecules and sorbents, allowing for efficient desorption and regeneration without thermal energy, enabling on-board use in vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal energy is applied to regenerate the sorbent bed, then sulfur is desorbed and removed from the sorbent, but high thermal energy consumption and bulky heat exchangers are required, making the system impractical for on-board use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorbent bed regeneration effectivenessVSAvoidthermal energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal field (heat exchanger system) with an electromagnetic field (microwave system). Microwaves directly couple energy to the sulfur-containing molecules on the sorbent bed, causing heating and desorption without requiring external thermal energy input or bulky heat exchangers. This substitution enables compact, on-board regeneration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy input parameter from thermal energy to electromagnetic energy (microwaves). By using microwave radiation at specific frequencies, the system directly excites molecular vibrations and rotations in sulfur-containing compounds, achieving desorption through a different energy mechanism that requires no thermal energy input and no large heat exchangers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high thermal energy is applied to regenerate the sorbent bed, then sulfur is removed from the sorbent, but the overall efficiency of the sorbent bed is reduced and the life of the sorbent is significantly limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorbent bed regeneration effectivenessVSAvoidsorbent bed life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal regeneration with microwave-induced regeneration. Microwaves selectively heat sulfur-containing molecules through dielectric heating and molecular vibration, achieving desorption at lower overall temperatures that do not degrade the sorbent structure. This preserves sorbent integrity and extends operational life while maintaining regeneration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a heat exchanger is used to regenerate the sorbent bed, then sulfur is desorbed and removed, but the system becomes bulky and impractical for on-board use in vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorbent bed regeneration effectivenessVSAvoidsystem volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical thermal field system (heat exchanger) with an electromagnetic field system (microwave generator and waveguide). This substitution eliminates the need for large heat transfer surfaces and thermal mass, reducing system volume to a compact scale suitable for on-board installation in vehicles while maintaining effective sorbent regeneration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 regenerates sorbent beds, maintaining sulfur removal capacity and extending the sorbent bed's life, while allowing for mobile use without thermal energy-related risks, producing hydrogen-rich fuel for fuel cells.

Implementation Method 1

certain high surface area solids can adsorb or chemisorb sulfur-containing molecules typically found in fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a source of microwave energy... The microwave energy source regenerates the sorbent bed for reuse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS7744824B2On-board fuel desulfurization unit

Publication Date: 2010.06.29 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

The athermal sorbent bed regeneration system of the present invention includes a main fuel supply, at least one sorbent bed, a source of microwave energy, and a secondary fuel supply. The main fuel supply has a first concentration of an impurity and the secondary fuel supply has a second concentration of the impurity that is less than the first concentration of the impurity. The sorbent bed adsorbs the impurity. The microwave energy source regenerates the sorbent bed for reuse.