Activated Carbon Filter Segmentation for Hydrocarbon Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing activated carbon filter apparatuses for motor vehicles are expensive due to the use of honeycomb structures and have a short path for hydrocarbons, which impairs adsorption efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is divided into sections with activated carbon fillings and includes void volumes below the carbon fillings to collect desorbed hydrocarbons, eliminating the need for activated carbon in crossflow regions and reducing pressure drop during flushing, allowing for inexpensive absorption and improved adsorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If honeycomb structures are used for activated carbon filling, then adsorption efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The activated carbon filter is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) separated by dividing walls. Each section contains activated carbon filling and is connected via crossflow regions. This segmentation allows the use of simpler, less expensive activated carbon structures while maintaining effective adsorption through the multi-stage design.
2Device complexity
If the path for hydrocarbons is shortened, then device complexity is reduced, but adsorption efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is segmented into multiple sections with dividing walls, creating a longer effective path for hydrocarbons to travel through activated carbon. The hydrocarbons must pass through the first section, then crossflow regions, then the second section, and finally the third section, thereby increasing contact time and adsorption efficiency without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Crossflow regions are introduced to enable fluid communication between sections in a different spatial arrangement. This allows the hydrocarbon flow to move horizontally between sections via crossflow regions while maintaining vertical sectioning, effectively extending the adsorption path in multiple dimensions rather than a simple linear path.
3Reliability
If activated carbon is added to crossflow regions, then adsorption capacity is increased, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crossflow regions are deliberately kept free of activated carbon filling. Instead of placing activated carbon in the crossflow regions to increase adsorption capacity, the design extracts the activated carbon only to the vertical sections. The crossflow regions serve purely as fluid communication pathways, minimizing pressure drop while maintaining adequate adsorption capacity in the dedicated vertical sections.
4Reliability
If void volume is added to collect desorbed hydrocarbons, then adsorption efficiency is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The void volume for collecting desorbed hydrocarbons is merged with the existing section structure. The void volume is integrated into the second section below the activated carbon filling, combining the collection function with the existing section geometry rather than adding a separate collection chamber, thereby minimizing additional device volume.
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
This design allows for efficient and cost-effective hydrocarbon absorption without increasing hydraulic pressure, ensuring effective adsorption and collection of desorbed hydrocarbons, even at vehicle standstill, while maintaining satisfactory adsorption efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrocarbons are adsorbed by the activated carbon and are retained as a result
Implementation Method 2
The void volume is provided in the first region and/or in the second region below an activated carbon filling of one section to receive desorbed hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 3
fresh air can be introduced through a fresh air opening into the housing of the activated carbon filter apparatus on account of a vacuum from the intake cycle of the internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
An activated carbon filter apparatus has a housing with an interior space with an activated carbon filter arranged therein. The activated carbon filter is divided into a first region and a second region. An activated carbon filling is in each region. The two regions are divided into different sections by dividing walls. The sections being filled with activated carbon, and the sections of one region and the two sections at the transition between the first region and the second region are connected fluidically to one another by crossflow regions. A void volume is provided in the first region and/or in the second region below an activated carbon filling of one section to receive desorbed hydrocarbons.