Oxyfuel Engine Carbon Capture Using Onboard Oxygen Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines contribute to carbon emissions, and existing alternatives like battery electric vehicles face challenges with high carbon intensity grid electricity and expensive decarbonization, while hydrogen fuel systems have carbon emissions from production and storage processes.
Innovation Solution
An engine system incorporating an oxygen capture system with PSA, TSA, or VSA to separate oxygen from intake air, a carbon capture system to condense and store CO2, and an oxy-fuel combustion engine to minimize emissions, utilizing an exhaust processing system with a catalytic system and coolers to treat exhaust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If internal combustion engines are replaced with battery electric vehicles, then carbon emissions from tailpipes are eliminated, but carbon intensity from grid electricity increases and decarbonization costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the carbon emission problem into two parts: (1) oxygen capture from air intake to enable pure oxyfuel combustion, and (2) CO2 capture from exhaust to separate carbon emissions from other exhaust components. This allows targeted treatment of carbon emissions while maintaining engine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an inert-like environment by capturing and removing CO2 from the exhaust stream, effectively isolating the carbon component from atmospheric release. The CO2 is separated and stored, creating a controlled environment where carbon emissions are managed rather than freely discharged.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If internal combustion engines are replaced with hydrogen fuel systems, then carbon emissions are reduced, but carbon emissions from production, transportation, and storage processes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts CO2 from the exhaust stream using dedicated capture systems that separate carbon dioxide from other exhaust components. This extraction approach directly removes carbon emissions at the source without requiring complex upstream production infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary systems between the engine and atmosphere: oxygen capture systems that provide pure oxygen for combustion, and CO2 capture systems that intercept and store carbon dioxide before it can be discharged. These intermediaries manage carbon emissions without requiring complete system replacement.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If oxygen capture systems and CO2 capture systems are added to internal combustion engines, then carbon emissions are significantly reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen capture system serves multiple functions: it provides pure oxygen for oxyfuel combustion to improve combustion efficiency, enables CO2 separation in the exhaust, and supports the overall carbon capture process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the oxygen capture and CO2 capture operations into an integrated oxyfuel combustion system. The oxygen captured from air intake is used to modify the combustion process, which in turn simplifies CO2 separation in the exhaust since the combustion products are more concentrated and easier to capture.
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 significantly reduces carbon emissions by capturing and storing CO2, allowing fossil fuels to be used with minimal environmental impact, complying with emissions regulations and reducing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an oxygen capture system including at least one adsorbent material
Implementation Method 2
An engine system incorporating an oxygen capture system with PSA, TSA, or VSA to separate oxygen from intake air
Implementation Method 3
An engine system incorporating an oxygen capture system with PSA, TSA, or VSA to separate oxygen from intake air
Implementation Method 4
An engine system incorporating an oxygen capture system with PSA, TSA, or VSA to separate oxygen from intake air
Implementation Method 5
a carbon capture system fluidly coupled to the exhaust processing system and the internal combustion engine. The carbon capture system includes a carbon dioxide condenser and a carbon dioxide storage
Data Source
AI summary
An engine system includes an oxygen capture system including at least one adsorbent material, an internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to the oxygen capture system, an exhaust processing system fluidly coupled to the internal combustion engine, the exhaust processing system including a catalytic system, at least one cooler and at least one gas/liquid separator, and a carbon capture system fluidly coupled to the exhaust processing system and the internal combustion engine, the carbon capture system including a carbon dioxide condenser and a carbon dioxide storage.