Siloxane removal in machine systems with blowers for pressure drop compensation

Abstract

A siloxane removal system (30) for a machine system (10) having an internal combustion engine (25) includes a siloxane trap (32) having a plurality of adsorbent cartridges (36) fluidly parallel to one another, an air pre-cleaner (38) fluidly connected to a trap housing inlet (46), and a blower (40) configured to blow intake air into the siloxane trap (32) to compensate for a pressure drop across the siloxane trap (32). A trap performance sensor (66) of the siloxane removal system (30) is configured to monitor exhaust pressure to indicate performance degradation of the siloxane removal system (30) and activate an operator-perceivable alarm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to siloxane removal in machine systems and, more particularly, to a siloxane removal system in which a powered pre-cleaner compensates for the pressure drop across a siloxane trap supplying intake air to an internal combustion engine. Background Art

[0002] Internal combustion engines are typically operated to combust a mixture of fuel and air, thereby rapidly increasing the pressure and temperature within the engine cylinders in order to drive a piston coupled to a rotatable crankshaft. The engine intake system typically includes various devices for removing possible contaminants from the intake air flow. Certain contaminants can pass through the internal combustion engine system with little to no effect. Other contaminants, including relatively large particles, combustible gases, and various other materials encountered in the operating environment can have a detrimental effect on engine performance, or even cause malfunctions.

[0003] In certain environments, particularly waste disposal and landfill environments, siloxane contaminants can become airborne and carried into engine intake systems. Siloxanes mixed into the engine intake can undergo reactions during the combustion process and then produce silicates that can become lodged within the engine or downstream exhaust components and ultimately experience severe performance degradation. Silicates can adhere to surfaces within the engine interior and interfere with the movement of components, clog aftertreatment components, and create increased back pressure, or cause other problems. At a minimum, machines operating in environments that encounter high concentrations of airborne siloxanes may require maintenance more frequently than desired. U.S. Patent No. 9,803,598 to Clayton relates to an intake system for an engine. The air intake system includes a plurality of air intake ducts, wherein one of the air intake ducts has a siloxane adsorber, and a second intake duct provides air to the engine while the siloxane adsorber is regenerated. Summary of the invention

[0004] On the one hand, the machine system includes an internal combustion engine system having an engine and each of an exhaust duct and an intake duct fluidly connected to the engine. The machine system further includes a siloxane removal system, which includes a siloxane trap, an air pre-cleaner, and a blower. The siloxane trap is positioned in the intake duct and includes a trap housing and a plurality of adsorbent boxes, which are positioned in parallel with each other in the trap housing and produce an intake pressure drop from the trap housing inlet to the trap housing outlet. The air pre-cleaner is positioned upstream of the siloxane trap in the intake duct and includes a pre-cleaner housing with a debris injection port. The blower is positioned upstream of the siloxane trap and is structured to blow intake air through the intake duct to compensate for the intake pressure drop from the trap housing inlet to the trap housing outlet.

[0005] In another aspect, a method of operating a machine system includes supplying intake air through a siloxane trap in an intake conduit fluidly connected to an engine in the machine system, and trapping siloxane in the intake air in a plurality of adsorbent cartridges positioned in fluid parallel to each other in the siloxane trap. The method further includes at least partially protecting siloxane adsorbent media in the plurality of adsorbent cartridges from contamination by pre-cleaning the intake air in an air pre-cleaner positioned upstream of the siloxane trap in the intake conduit. The method further includes reducing a pressure of the intake air based on supplying the intake air through the siloxane trap, increasing a pressure of the intake air upstream of the siloxane trap to compensate for the reduction in pressure, and supplying the intake air from the siloxane trap to the engine through the intake conduit.

[0006] On the other hand, a siloxane removal system for a machine system includes a siloxane trap, which includes a trap housing with a trap housing inlet, a trap housing outlet, and a plurality of adsorbent boxes positioned in parallel between the trap housing inlet and the trap housing outlet. The siloxane removal system further includes an air pre-cleaner, which is fluidically connected to the trap housing inlet and includes a pre-cleaner housing with a debris injection port. The siloxane removal system further includes a blower, which is fluidically positioned upstream of the trap housing inlet and is structured to blow intake air to the siloxane trap so as to compensate for the pressure drop from the trap housing inlet to the trap housing outlet. The siloxane removal system further includes an intake duct, which is partially formed by each of the siloxane trap, the air pre-cleaner and the blower. The intake duct includes an upstream section extending from the siloxane trap to the intake inlet, and a downstream section extending from the siloxane trap to the intake outlet, which is structured to be fluidically connected to an engine in the machine system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a side view of a machine system according to one embodiment;

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the machine system;

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1-Figure 2 a schematic diagram of a portion of a machine system;

[0010] Figure 4 is a perspective schematic diagram of a siloxane trap according to one embodiment; and

[0011] Figure 5 is Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a partially opened perspective view of the sorbent cartridge used in the siloxane trap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Reference Figure 1 , shows a machine system according to one embodiment, the machine system including a machine 12 having a machine frame 14 and a ground engaging propulsion element coupled to the machine frame 14. A machine housing 16 is also supported on the machine frame 14 and forms an engine compartment in which components of an internal combustion engine system 24 including an engine 25 are housed. The machine 12 is shown in the context of a wheel loader having an implement system 22, which includes, for example, a bucket and is positioned at the front end of the machine frame 14. An operator cab 20 is also supported on the machine frame 14 in a generally conventional manner. In other embodiments, the machine 12 may be another mobile vehicle machine, such as a compactor, a backhoe, a tracked machine (such as a tracked tractor), or various other machines. The machine system 10 may also be a stationary machine, such as a generator set. The internal combustion engine system 24 provides propulsion power for the machine 12 and includes each of an exhaust conduit 27 and an intake conduit 28 that are fluidly connected to the engine 25. The engine 25 may include a multi-cylinder compression-ignition diesel engine, but in other embodiments may be a gaseous fuel engine, a dual-fuel engine, a spark-ignition gasoline engine, or possibly another engine.

[0013] The machine system 10 is considered suitable for operation in certain environments (e.g., landfill environments and waste transfer stations) where the ambient air contains various siloxanes. To this end, the machine system 10 also includes a siloxane removal system 30, which includes a siloxane trap 32 having a trap housing 34 and a plurality of siloxane adsorbent cartridges 36 positioned in fluid parallel to each other within the trap housing 34. The term "fluid parallel" is contrasted with "fluid series". The siloxane removal system 30 further includes an air pre-cleaner 38 and a blower 40, which are packaged together in the illustrated embodiment. It has been observed that difficulties may be encountered when achieving a desired air flow rate in an internal combustion engine that is to meet certain filtering requirements, and as further discussed herein, the internal combustion engine system 24 including the siloxane removal system 30 is uniquely configured to ensure that the engine intake airflow is not overly restricted during operation.

[0014] The siloxane trap 32 is positioned in the intake duct 28 and is structured so that the trap housing inlet 46 receives intake air, wherein the intake air is supplied to the trap housing outlet 47, and an intake air pressure drop is generated from the trap housing inlet 46 to the trap housing outlet 47. The air pre-cleaner 38 is positioned upstream of the siloxane trap 32 in the intake duct 28, and includes a pre-cleaner housing 48 having a debris injection port 50. As described above, the air pre-cleaner 38 and the blower 40 can be integrated into a single unit. The intake duct 28 can be understood as being partially formed by each of the siloxane trap 32, the air pre-cleaner 38, and the blower 40. The blower 40 can include a motor 42 (e.g., an electric motor), and a rotor (such as a fan 44) positioned in the pre-cleaner housing 48. For example, the air pre-cleaner 38 can include an electric cyclonic air cleaner, or another type of electric pre-cleaner. In other cases, the air pre-cleaner 38 may be a passive device having an internal geometry that facilitates ejection of debris through the debris ejection ports 50 in response to air flow through the pre-cleaner housing 48, with the blower 40 being positioned upstream of the pre-cleaner 38 in some embodiments, or possibly even downstream of the pre-cleaner 38. Whether or not integrated with the pre-cleaner 38, the blower 40 is positioned upstream of the siloxane trap 32 and is structured to blow intake air through the intake duct 28 to compensate for the intake air pressure drop from the trap housing inlet 46 to the trap housing outlet 47.

[0015] Other features of the machine system 10, engine system 24, and siloxane removal system 30 are also described in Figure 2. The siloxane removal system 30 may further include a filter-diffuser 62, which is fluidly positioned in the intake duct 28 between the adsorbent cartridge 36 and the blower 40. The filter-diffuser 62 may filter particulates from the intake air and spread and diffuse the airflow so that the air is substantially uniformly supplied to the cartridge 36. An additional post-filter 60 may be positioned downstream of the siloxane trap 32 to receive the treated intake air from the trap housing outlet 47. The post-filter 60 may include a relatively finer filter media than the filter-diffuser 62. The intake duct 28 may further include an upstream section 84 extending from the siloxane trap 32 to the intake inlet 82, and a downstream section 86 extending from the siloxane trap 32 to the intake outlet 88, which is structured to be fluidly connected to the engine 25 in the machine system 10. The pre-cleaner 38 and the blower 40 may be understood to be fluidly positioned within the upstream section 84. The after-filter 60, the compressor 54 of the turbocharger 52, and the after-cooler 58 may be understood to be fluidly positioned in the downstream section 86. The siloxane trap 32 may be understood to form an intermediate section of the intake conduit 28. The intake air outlet 88 supplies intake air, which has been pre-cleaned in the air pre-cleaner 38, filtered for siloxane in the siloxane trap 32, post-filtered in the after-filter 60, compressed in the compressor 54, and cooled in the after-cooler 58, into the intake manifold 61 of the engine 25.

[0016] The engine 25 also includes an exhaust manifold 63 fluidly connected to the exhaust conduit 27. Exhaust gas from the engine 25 may be supplied to the turbine 56 of the turbocharger 52 through the exhaust conduit 27, and thereafter to an aftertreatment element 68 fluidly positioned in the exhaust conduit 27. The aftertreatment element 68 may include a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), a particulate filter (DPF), a selective catalytic reduction module (SCR), any of several combinations or permutations of these, or another aftertreatment element.

[0017] As described above, the accumulation of silicates in the engine system, particularly in the exhaust system, can have a detrimental effect on performance, possibly plugging the exhaust system by accumulating on catalyst surfaces or other features to the point of generating excessive exhaust back pressure. The siloxane removal system 30 can be further equipped with a device for indirectly monitoring the performance of the siloxane trap 32 by monitoring a fluid pressure parameter in the exhaust conduit 27. To this end, the machine system 10 and the siloxane removal system 30 further include a trap performance sensor 66. The trap performance sensor 66 can be part of the control system 64 that also includes an electronic control unit 78. The trap performance sensor 66 can further include a pressure sensor having a sensor surface 70, which is exposed to the exhaust gas in the exhaust conduit 27 and is structured to generate a trap performance signal indicating silicate accumulation in the aftertreatment device 68. The trap performance signal can be a voltage signal that directly or indirectly indicates an absolute exhaust pressure. The electronic control unit 78 can calculate the exhaust back pressure, such as by comparing the signal value of the trap performance signal with a reference value for a given set of engine conditions. The electronic control unit 78 may also be structured to differentiate between exhaust pressure generated by trapped particulates, such as soot or ash, and accumulated silicates, such as by monitoring the filling state of the DPF. In a further practical embodiment, the siloxane removal system 30 may include a sensing conduit 72 having an inlet end 74 attached to the exhaust conduit 27 and a second end 76 supported at a position spaced apart from the exhaust conduit 27, such as one foot, two feet, or three feet or more. The trap performance sensor 66 may be supported at a position spaced apart from the exhaust conduit 27 such that a sensor surface 70 of the pressure sensor 66 is exposed to the exhaust pressure of the sensing conduit 72. The sensing conduit 72 may include a heat resistant material structured to withstand relatively high exhaust temperatures of at least several hundred degrees Celsius, and the sensor 66 is remote from the surface of the exhaust conduit 27. It may be noted that in the illustrated embodiment, the inlet end 74 of the sensing conduit 72 is fluidly positioned between the turbine 56 and the aftertreatment element 68. Other strategies and / or sensing locations for directly or indirectly sensing exhaust pressure and thereby indicating exhaust backpressure resulting from silicate accumulation are within the scope of the present invention.

[0018] The control system 64 may further include an alarm device 80 that is structured to output an operator-perceivable maintenance alarm based on the trap performance signal. In some embodiments, the alarm device 80 may include a light located in the operator cab 20, such as a check engine light. In alternative embodiments, the alarm device 80 may include a different light or a light located elsewhere, a graphic on a user interface, a sound generating device, a vibration device, or another alarm device capable of alerting the operator that maintenance is required or is expected to be required. The electronic control module 78 may be structured to activate the maintenance alarm 80 in different ways based on the trap performance signal. For example, in the case where the exhaust back pressure is at a first level equal to or exceeding a first threshold, the alarm device 80 may be activated to notify the operator that maintenance is required as soon as possible. When the trap performance signal indicates that the exhaust back pressure is equal to or greater than a higher threshold, the electronic control unit 78 may activate the alarm device 80 to indicate that immediate maintenance is required, or the electronic control unit 78 may simply initiate an engine shutdown procedure or initiate a limp home mode, etc. The maintenance that may be performed may include maintenance after the treatment element 68, such as by replacing a catalyst brick with accumulated silicate with a new brick. In other cases, maintenance actions may include servicing the siloxane trap 32 itself by replacing a malfunctioning or non-functional cartridge 36 with a new one in order to avoid further silicate accumulation and any further degradation in performance.

[0019] Now refer to Figure 3 , a view of a portion of the machine system 10 is shown showing the machine housing 16 having a portion of the engine system 24 housed therein, and a portion of the siloxane removal system 30 mounted thereon. It will be recalled that the siloxane removal system 30 includes a siloxane trap 32 having a trap housing 34. The trap housing 34 may be located external to the machine housing 16, such as mounted near or on the side of the machine housing 16 as shown. A pre-cleaner 38 and blower 40, shown as a combined arrangement, may be mounted on top of the machine housing 16 to supply pre-cleaned air to a trap housing inlet 46, wherein the intake air is processed in the siloxane trap 32 and supplied from a trap housing outlet 47 to continue into the engine compartment formed by the machine housing 16.

[0020] In other embodiments, different mounting or packaging strategies may be used. For example, the pre-cleaner 38 may be mounted on the trap housing 34, or all or substantially all of the components of the siloxane removal system 30 may be located within the machine housing 16. In addition, the locations of the trap housing inlet 46 and the trap housing outlet 47 may be different than shown. Finally, with particular reference to Figure 3It will be appreciated that the intake air follows a relatively tortuous path between the pre-cleaner 38 and the engine 25, and may encounter a number of components or features of the intake conduit 28 that reduce the intake air pressure. It is generally desirable to configure the siloxane trap 32 so that the intake air has sufficient residence time for the siloxane to be adsorbed. However, as discussed herein, the blower 40 helps to compensate for the pressure drop from the trap housing inlet to the trap housing outlet 47, as well as pressure drops generated elsewhere.

[0021] Now also refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , additional details of the siloxane trap 32 are shown. Figure 4 , the filter-diffuser 62 is shown positioned in the trap housing 34 and receives the intake air through the intake duct 28. As shown, a plurality of siloxane adsorbent boxes 36 are positioned in parallel with each other in fluid flow and can accommodate an intake air flow that has passed through the filter-diffuser 62, then vertically upward through the box 36 and between the boxes 36 toward the trap housing outlet 47. The box 36 can be releasably supported in the trap housing 34 and, for example, positioned and mounted by a top bracket 110 and a bottom bracket 112. One of the boxes 36 is shown as possibly appearing to have partially slid out of the trap housing 34. The trap housing 34 can be further understood to have a box-shaped configuration with a rectangular footprint on one or more sides. The trap housing 34 further has a channel door 114 that is movable between an open configuration (as shown) and a closed configuration. A latch 116 is provided for fixing the channel door 114.

[0022] Each of the cartridges 36 may further include a siloxane adsorbent media 90 and a cartridge frame 92 releasably supported in the trap housing 34. The siloxane adsorbent media 90 may include a granular media, such as activated carbon granules. Wood-based activated carbon and / or coal-based activated carbon may be used. Each of the adsorbent cartridges 36 further includes a first incoming air side 94 formed by a first perforated side wall 96, and a second incoming air side 98 positioned opposite the first incoming air side 94 and formed by a second perforated side wall 100. The first perforated side wall 96 and the second perforated side wall 100 are supported by the cartridge frame 92. As shown in FIG. Figure 5As shown, it can be understood that the incoming air flow impinges on the opposite first incoming air side 94 and the second incoming air side 98 and is fed through the media 90 so that the incoming air flow treated to remove siloxanes rejoins before reaching the trap housing outlet 47. Each box frame 92 can further have a rectangular configuration and include a front peripheral edge 102, a rear peripheral edge 104, and a longitudinal peripheral edge 106 oriented toward the incoming air flow. The front peripheral edge 102 can be closed to encourage air to flow upward between the boxes 36 and ultimately into the box 36. The rear peripheral edge 104 can be open. Therefore, the trap housing 34 can be understood to form a plenum that collects the incoming air flow from each of the boxes 36. The siloxane removal system 30 can further include an air seal 108, such as a non-metallic and elastically deformable air seal, which is fluid-tight between the longitudinal peripheral edge 106 and the trap housing 34. An air seal 108 may be attached to each cassette frame 92 and may be included on the front peripheral edge 102 and / or the rear peripheral edge, depending on the configuration and mounting or fixing arrangement of the cassette 36. The air seal 108 may provide a fluid seal between the access door 114 and the cassette frame 92 when the access door 114 is in the closed configuration. Each of the first perforated sidewall 96 and the second perforated sidewall 100 may be formed of a screen, wherein the granular media 90 is trapped between the screens in the corresponding cassette 36.

[0023] Industrial Applicability

[0024] Referring generally to the drawings, the engine 25 can be operated to combust fuel and air, driving a crankshaft via a piston in a generally conventional manner. The combustion of the fuel and air produces exhaust gas to rotate the turbine 56, which in turn rotates the compressor 54. The suction force generated by the reciprocating motion of the pistons and the rotation of the compressor 54 can draw intake air into the intake inlet 82. Operation of the blower 40 causes particulates or other debris to be discharged from the debris ejection port 50, wherein the blower 40 blows the pre-cleaned intake air through the intake duct 28 to the siloxane trap 32.

[0025] As discussed herein, when the intake air is fed through the siloxane trap 32, siloxanes in the intake air are trapped in the cartridge 36 by adsorption to the media 90. Expulsion of the particulates protects the media 90 in the cartridge 36 from contamination by the pre-cleaned intake air. Also as discussed herein, the pressure of the intake air is reduced based on the feed of the intake air through the siloxane trap 32. However, the operation of the pre-cleaner 38 may provide a positive pressure increase upstream of the siloxane trap 32 to compensate for the reduction in pressure. As the engine speed of the engine 25 increases, the speed of the compressor 54 may eventually increase to a point where the pre-cleaner 38 and the blower 40 no longer provide a positive pressure increase, however, at higher engine speeds, the pressure drop across the siloxane trap 32 and other system components is generally better tolerated.

[0026] This description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as narrowing the scope of the present invention in any way. Therefore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the currently disclosed embodiments without departing from the complete and fair scope and spirit of the present invention. Other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent by viewing the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. As used herein, the articles "one" and "an" are intended to include one or more and may be used interchangeably with "one or more". In the case of referring to only one, the term "one" or similar language is used. In addition, as used herein, the term "has, have, having" etc. is intended to be an open term. In addition, unless otherwise expressly stated, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on".

Claims

1. A machine system (10), comprising: An internal combustion engine system (24) comprising an engine (25) and each of an exhaust conduit (27) and an intake conduit (28) fluidly connected to the engine (25); a siloxane removal system (30) comprising a siloxane trap (32), an air pre-cleaner (38), and a blower (40); The siloxane trap (32) is positioned in the intake conduit (28) and includes a trap housing (34) and a plurality of adsorbent cartridges (36) positioned in fluid parallel with each other in the trap housing (34) and creating an intake air pressure drop from a trap housing inlet (46) to a trap housing outlet (47); the air pre-cleaner (38) positioned upstream of the siloxane trap (32) in the air intake duct (28) and comprising a pre-cleaner housing (48) having a debris injection port (50); the blower (40) being positioned upstream of the siloxane trap (32) and being structured to blow intake air through the intake conduit (28) so as to compensate for the intake air pressure drop from the trap housing inlet (46) to the trap housing outlet (47); a trap performance sensor (66) exposed to exhaust gas in the exhaust conduit (27) and configured to generate a trap performance signal indicative of silicate accumulation in an aftertreatment device (68); wherein the trap performance sensor (66) comprises a pressure sensor (66), and further comprises an alarm device (80) structured to generate an operator-perceivable maintenance alarm based on the trap performance signal; and A sensing conduit (72) having a first inlet end (74) attached to the exhaust conduit (27) and a second end (76) supported at a position spaced apart from the exhaust conduit (27), and wherein the pressure sensor (66) is subjected to exhaust pressure from the sensing conduit (72) at the second end (76).

2. The machine system (10) of claim 1, further comprising: Frame (14); a ground engaging propulsion element (18) coupled to the frame (14); a machine housing (16) including an engine compartment; and The trap housing (34) is positioned outside the machine housing (16).

3. The machine system (10) of claim 2, wherein: The siloxane removal system (30) further includes a filter-diffuser (62) fluidly positioned in the air intake conduit (28) between the plurality of sorbent cartridges (36) and the blower (40); Each of the plurality of sorbent cartridges (36) includes a siloxane sorbent media (90) and a cartridge frame (92) releasably supported in the trap housing (34); and The blower (40) is integrated with the air pre-cleaner (38) and includes a motor (42) and a fan (44) positioned in the pre-cleaner housing (48), and the pre-cleaner housing (48) is mounted to the machine housing (16).

4. The machine system (10) of claim 3, wherein: The plurality of sorbent cartridges (36) each include a first incoming air side (94) formed by a first perforated side wall (96), and a second incoming air side (98) positioned opposite the first incoming air side (94) and formed by a second perforated side wall (100); Each of the cartridge frames (92) has a rectangular configuration and includes a front peripheral edge (102), a rear peripheral edge (104), and a longitudinal peripheral edge (106), and the siloxane removal system (30) further includes a fluid-tight air seal (108) between the longitudinal peripheral edge (106) and the trap housing (34); The first perforated sidewall (96) and the second perforated sidewall (100) are each formed of a screen, and the siloxane adsorbent medium (90) includes particles captured between the screens in the respective cartridges (36); as well as The trap housing (34) has a box-shaped configuration including an access door (114) movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and wherein the air seal (108) includes an air seal (108) that is fluid-tight between the access door (114) and the cartridge frame (92) when the access door (114) is in the closed configuration.

5. A method of operating a machine system (10), comprising: supplying intake air through a siloxane trap (32) in an intake conduit (28) fluidly connected to an engine (25) in the machine system (10); trapping siloxanes in the inlet gas in a plurality of sorbent cartridges (36) positioned fluidly parallel to one another in the siloxane trap (32); at least partially protecting siloxane adsorbent media (90) in the plurality of adsorbent cartridges (36) from contamination by pre-cleaning intake air in an air pre-cleaner (38) positioned upstream of the siloxane trap (32) in the intake air duct (28); reducing a pressure of the intake air based on the supply of the intake air through the siloxane trap (32); increasing the pressure of the inlet gas upstream of the siloxane trap (32) to compensate for the pressure drop; supplying the intake air from the siloxane trap (32) to the engine (25) through the intake conduit (28); supplying exhaust gas from the engine to a post-treatment device through an exhaust pipe; sensing the pressure of the exhaust gas in the exhaust duct; as well as A siloxane trap performance signal is generated based on the sensed pressure of the exhaust gas.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: said pre-cleaning of said intake air comprises exhausting debris removed from said intake air with said air pre-cleaner (38); The increasing of the pressure of the intake air includes increasing the pressure of the intake air by blowing the pre-cleaned intake air into the siloxane trap (32) using a blower (40) of the air pre-cleaner (38); The feeding of the intake air through the siloxane trap (32) further includes impinging the intake air on opposing incoming air sides formed by perforated side walls (96, 100) of each of the sorbent cartridges (36); and The capturing of siloxanes in the inlet gas further includes capturing the siloxanes in a siloxane sorbent medium (90) captured between the perforated side walls (96, 100) of each of the sorbent cartridges (36).

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: An operator-perceivable maintenance alert is output based on the siloxane trap performance signal.

8. A siloxane removal system (30) for a machine system (10), comprising: A siloxane trap (32) comprising a trap housing (34) having a trap housing inlet (46), a trap housing outlet (47), and a plurality of sorbent cartridges (36) positioned fluidly in parallel between the trap housing inlet (46) and the trap housing outlet (47); an air pre-cleaner (38) fluidly connected to the trap housing inlet (46) and including a pre-cleaner housing (48) having a debris injection port (50); a blower (40) positioned upstream of the trap housing inlet (46) and structured to blow intake air toward the siloxane trap (32) so as to compensate for the pressure drop from the trap housing inlet (46) to the trap housing outlet (47); an air intake conduit (28) formed in part by each of the siloxane trap (32), the air pre-cleaner (38), and the blower (40), and including an upstream section (84) extending from the siloxane trap (32) to an air intake inlet (82), and a downstream section (86) extending from the siloxane trap (32) to an air intake outlet (88), the air intake outlet (88) being structured to be fluidly connected to an engine (25) in the machine system (10); a trap performance pressure sensor (66) structured to generate a trap performance signal indicative of silicate accumulation in an aftertreatment device for the engine (25); as well as An alarm device (80) is structured to output a maintenance alarm perceptible to an operator based on the trap performance signal.

9. The siloxane removal system (30) of claim 8, wherein: The plurality of sorbent cartridges (36) each include a first incoming air side (94) formed by a first perforated sidewall (96), a second incoming air side (98) positioned opposite the first incoming air side (94) and formed by a second perforated sidewall, a cartridge frame (92) supporting the first perforated sidewall (96) and the second perforated sidewall, and sorbent particles captured between the first perforated sidewall (96) and the second perforated sidewall; as well as The siloxane trap (32) further includes an air seal (108) that fluidly seals between the cartridge frame (92) and the trap housing (34).

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