Conceptualization, 3D-CAD Modelling & Sorbent testing of CO2 CO2 Absorber for Electric Vehicle cabins

Kurzfassung

The energy consumption by the air-conditioning system of any vehicle can be reduced by 30%, this is immensely important electric vehicles. To prevent dangerous CO2 levels in the cabin released by the passengers through exhalation, cabin air atmosphere is diluted by the A/C using ambient air. This process consumes 10-40% more energy than only conditioning the cabin air continuously. The CO2 can be absorbed through a chemical reaction process and applied in electric vehicle cabins helping to reduce this energy consumption, and thus save valuable on board electric energy. Therefore, in this thesis a modular design concept for this absorber has been proposed by a ‘Pairwise comparison’ between several technical criteria. The absorber module has also been dimensioned and a 3D Model created in Inventor©. In addition calcium hydroxide and soda lime have been investigated at lab scale under 100°C for effective CO2 absorption. Using basic theoretical mass and energy balance, the mass of pure Ca(OH)2 required has been calculated. Based on the amount of sorbent, volume constraints of a vehicle and absorbent properties, the module has been dimensioned. Hereby, the absorption of CO2 exhaled by 2 passengers for a travel time of 2 hours has been estimated feasible.