Vehicle CO2 Capture Controller Using Hybrid Thermal Energy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CO2 capturing systems in vehicles face inefficiencies in desorbing CO2 due to insufficient heat generated by the engine, leading to incomplete CO2 discharge into storage stations.

Innovation Solution

A control system that utilizes a controller to manage energy sources within the vehicle, including thermal energy from a heat accumulator, to desorb CO2 from the capturing device and ensure complete discharge, with the option to receive additional energy from an external recovery station if internal energy is insufficient, and incentivizes CO2 discharge by offering compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If CO2 is captured by the capturing agent during engine operation, then CO2 capture is achieved, but the engine heat is insufficient to fully desorb CO2 from the capturing agent

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 capture amountVSAvoiddesorption temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple heat sources (engine waste heat and external power station heat) into a unified desorption system. The control unit manages heat input from both the engine and external power station to the thermal energy storage device, which then supplies sufficient thermal energy to the capturing agent for complete CO2 desorption, resolving the contradiction between CO2 capture quantity and desorption temperature requirement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a thermal energy storage device as an intermediary between the heat sources (engine and external power station) and the capturing agent. This intermediary stores thermal energy and releases it at the appropriate time and temperature level required for effective CO2 desorption, bridging the gap between insufficient engine heat and the high temperature needed for complete desorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If engine heat is used to desorb CO2, then energy self-sufficiency is maintained, but CO2 discharge is incomplete when engine heat is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 discharge completenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic energy management system where the control unit continuously monitors and adjusts the ratio of heat input from the engine versus external power station based on real-time conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures complete CO2 discharge by optimizing the energy source mix, maintaining reliability while managing energy consumption flexibly according to available resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy supply parameters by introducing external power station heat as an additional energy source. The control unit regulates the amount of external heat input to complement engine heat, ensuring that the total thermal energy supplied to the capturing agent is sufficient for complete CO2 desorption, thereby improving discharge completeness without excessive energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures complete and efficient discharge of CO2 into recovery stations, reducing global warming by effectively utilizing waste heat and motivating consumers and drivers to collect CO2, while minimizing external energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

CO2 emitted from an internal combustion engine and CO2 in the air are recovered by a capturing material disposed at a through channel of gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

exhaust gas emitted from an engine is supplied to a capture agent to capture CO2 contained in the exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The captured CO2 is desorbed from the capturing material by heat generated from the internal combustion engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 4

the CO2 captured by the conventional capturing system is heated by the engine's waste heat to be desorbed from the capture agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3783205B1Control system for vehicle having co2 capturing device
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3783205B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3783205B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3783205B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control system for a vehicle (Ve) having a CO2 capturing device (1) configured to capture CO2 certainly from gas streams. The CO2 captured by the CO2 capturing device (1) is desorbed from the CO2 capturing device (1) by an energy available in the vehicle (Ve). A controller (13) is configured to discharge the CO2 captured by the CO2 capturing device (1) into the recovery station (4) by energy delivered from the recovery station (4) to the CO2 capturing device (1) when the energy available in the vehicle (Ve) is less than a predetermined value.