Plant Control with Segment-Level CO2 Emission Attribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating CO2 emissions in complex machines and systems fail to accurately assign emissions to individual segments, making optimization difficult due to generalized calculations.

Innovation Solution

A regulation and control method that uses specific emission factors stored in data memory for system components, control components, and field devices, allowing for decentralized calculation and transmission of CO2 emissions, with AI optimizing processes based on performance data and process conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If generalized calculation of CO2 emissions is used, then system-level emission assessment is achieved, but emissions cannot be attributed to individual segments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission attribution precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the complex machine or system into multiple segments, components, or functional units. Each segment is equipped with its own sensors and control elements that independently measure and calculate CO2 emissions specific to that segment's operation. This segmentation enables precise attribution of emissions to individual components while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If specific emission factors are stored for each operating range, then emission values can be precisely determined, but data storage and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission value accuracyVSAvoiddata volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by storing specific emission factors directly at or near the segments where they are needed, rather than centralizing all data. Each segment or control element maintains its own emission factor data relevant to its specific operating range, enabling precise local calculations without requiring all segments to process or store every emission factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If decentralized emission value determination is implemented, then precise emission tracking per component is achieved, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission information completenessVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where each segment's sensors, control elements, and evaluation units continuously monitor local emissions and feed this information back to both local control systems and central management. This feedback loop enables real-time emission tracking and optimization at multiple levels, ensuring complete emission information is captured while managing complexity through hierarchical control structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4212977A1Control and regulation method and system for reduced co2 emission
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 TURCK HOLDING GMBH
  • EP4212977A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4212977A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4212977A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for regulating and controlling a plant, comprising at least one plant component, a plant control system with at least one control component, and at least one field device configured as a sensor or actuator, wherein specific emission factors per operating range are stored in at least one data storage device, wherein the emission factor is determined as an emission value for at least one plant component, at least one control component, and/or at least one field device over the operating range, in particular the specific emission values ​​for a group and/or all plant components, control components, and/or field devices are recorded. Furthermore, the invention includes a plant by means of which this method can be carried out.