FR3092363A1 - Device for the removal of particles in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for the removal of particles in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. The device comprises a housing (1) comprising an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) for the exhaust gases and a particular shape imposing on the exhaust gases which pass through it, a compulsory path (4) which brings the gases and particles they contain with as many surfaces as possible in the housing. A large part of these surfaces (10) is coated with a liquid on which the particles remain stuck and are grouped together by the desired displacement of the liquid, a reserve (5) of which is located in the lower part of the housing (1). This movement of the liquid is actuated by gravity and by a pump (6) which may be preferably electric which lifts the liquid which is directed towards the walls of the housing through suitable outlets such as (8). Advantageously, the liquid can be castor oil. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Device for the elimination of particles in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines.

The present invention relates to a device for the elimination of carbonaceous particles, also called soot, in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines.

With the aim of reducing atmospheric pollution, over the years increasingly strict and restrictive standards apply to new motor vehicles concerning the various pollutants emitted by the exhaust pipes of these motor vehicles.

The problem of pollutants emitted at the exhaust also concerns all internal combustion engines fitted to other machines such as two-wheeled vehicles, trucks, boats, generators, etc.

In the standards applied to automobiles, a tolerance is however granted so that manufacturers, while developing their technology, can continue to produce such vehicles.

The purpose of the device of the present invention is to reduce the quantity of particles emitted by internal combustion engines of the gasoline or diesel type by recovering the maximum of particles remaining after treatment by existing devices, for example on automobiles, and by storing these particles. on these automobiles and then to eliminate them periodically, for example at the rate of engine oil changes.

As an order of magnitude, the European standard currently imposes a maximum of particles released of 4.5 mg per kilometer traveled by the vehicle. This corresponds to 4.5 grams per thousand kilometers traveled and 400 grams per hundred thousand kilometers traveled. The weight of these stored particles will not influence the operation of the vehicle comprising the present device.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to remove a maximum of particles remaining after passing through a conventional treatment such as a particulate filter and to tend towards a zero emission discharge concerning the particles.

The device comprises, according to a first characteristic, a housing comprising an inlet and an outlet for the exhaust gases and a particular shape imposing on the exhaust gases which pass through it, a compulsory path which brings the gases and the particles which they contain into contact with the maximum possible surfaces in the housing.

A large part of these surfaces is covered with a liquid, the particles stick together, are captured and are brought together by the intended movement of the liquid.

This displacement of the liquid is actuated by gravity downwards and by a pump which can preferably be electric which raises the liquid which is directed towards the walls of the casing.

The gases freed in whole or in part of the particles escape in the direction of the exhaust outlet.

According to particular embodiments:

- The liquid can be drained from the device by a plug in the lower part.

- The liquid can be any liquid that does not ignite or evaporate easily. It may be water, but it is advantageously preferred in whole or in part to pure castor oil or oil containing at least one additive.

Castor oil has very useful particularities to be effective in this use: it is very wetting, it resists high temperatures, it is difficult to mix with water, it is a biodegradable and renewable vegetable oil.

After enough particulates have been removed, it can be drained from the device and mixed with diesel as a part vegetable oil addition to an engine fuel. Although the self-ignition temperature of castor oil is very high and it is here intended for an environment with little oxygen, safety devices must be put in place in the event of a malfunction to detect and stopping an ignition in the device, for example by stopping the motor after a timed alarm.

- Said box comprises at least one baffle in the passage of the exhaust gases,

- Said housing comprises at least one blade, preferably inclined, positioned on the path of the exhaust gases,

- Said housing comprises at least one blade driven in rotation by the passage of the exhaust gases,

- Said housing comprises at least one blade driven in rotation by a means such as an electric motor.

- Said forced gas path passes through at least one perforated grid on which circulates at least a portion of said liquid or which is immersed in said liquid.

- The liquid can be a gel in certain active phases or a very slow-drying glue such as glue, it is always referred to in this text under the name of “liquid”. Said liquid can be placed on a support rolled up in a cassette comprising two rollers.

- Said rollers and/or said support can either be impregnated with said liquid or immersed at least in part in said liquid.

The accompanying drawings schematically illustrate the invention:

represents the device of the invention in one of its forms,

represents the device of the invention with a different route of the exhaust gases,

represents section AA of the device according to FIG. 2,

represents a variant of the device comprising at least one blade,

represents a variant of the device in which the gases are forced to pass through said liquid,

represents a variant of the device in which the gases are forced to pass through said liquid and at least one perforated plate.

represents a variant of the device in which a cassette equipped with two rollers captures the particles.

represents the section BB of the device according to figure 7.

shows in section a variant of the device according to FIGS. 7 and 8.

Referring to Figure 1, in a first non-limiting embodiment, the device comprises a housing (1) comprising an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) for the exhaust gases and a particular shape imposing on the gases exhaust passing through it, a compulsory path (4) which brings the gases and the particles they contain into contact with the maximum possible surfaces in the housing.

A large part of these surfaces (10) is covered with a liquid on which the particles remain stuck and are grouped together by the desired movement of the liquid, a reserve (5) of which is located in the lower part of the housing (1).

This displacement of the liquid is actuated by gravity and by a pump (6) which can preferably be electric which raises the liquid which is directed towards the walls of the casing by suitable outlets such as (8).

The gases (9) freed in whole or in part of the particles escape in the direction of the exhaust outlet (3).

A plug (7) allows the draining of the liquid; a liquid filling orifice as well as the possibility of sensors or probes as well as an alarm or a saturation or clogging indicator are possible but are not shown.

In a non-illustrated variant of the device, the oil contained in the device is mixed with the fuel of the vehicle comprising the device, continuously or in periods or depending on the detection of a high content of particles. An on-board oil reservoir is used to replace oil removed from the device.

In another variant of the device, all the particles are treated in the exhaust gases, replacing a conventional particulate filter.

Whether the device is used in addition or in its entirety for the treatment and removal of particles from the exhaust gases, it is preferable to cool the pipe before it arrives at the device with ambient air alone or combined with a liquid fluid.

In another variant illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing comprises at least one baffle (11) which increases the length of the gas path and the contact surface with the walls and the surfaces of the casing. At least one nozzle (12) makes it possible to distribute the liquid over the contact surfaces. Several nozzles can be associated as (13).

In another variant illustrated by FIG. 4, the housing comprises at least one blade (15), preferably inclined, positioned in the path of the exhaust gases. Preferably this inclination is both in the longitudinal and transverse directions so as to produce on the one hand a better passage of the gases (14) with an optimal contact with the surfaces of the blade and on the other hand to allow the liquid to flow down and towards the walls of the case. The supply of the liquid takes place on the one hand on the walls of the casing and on the other hand on the blade(s) as in (16).

In another variant not shown, the housing comprises at least one blade driven in rotation by the passage of the exhaust gases, which increases the contact between the blade and the gases. On the other hand the liquid is projected from the blade towards the walls of the casing which facilitates the ejection of the captured particles towards the walls and downwards.

In another variant not shown, the housing comprises at least one blade driven in rotation by an electric motor which further increases the contact between the blade and the gases. On the other hand, the liquid is projected in greater volume from the blade towards the walls of the casing, which facilitates the ejection of the captured particles towards the walls and downwards.

In another variant illustrated by FIG. 5, the gases are forced as in (17) to cross said liquid at least once as in (18). Part of their final course in the case, as in (19), facilitates the separation of the gases and the liquid, which remains in the case, by the movements impelled to the gases by the shape of their course and by gravity.

In another variant illustrated by FIG. 6, the forced path of the gases passes through at least one perforated grid (20) on which at least part of said liquid circulates or which is immersed in said liquid. This possibility of having at least one perforated grid can be applied to the initial version and to all the variants. The gases which circulate through the perforations are more easily in contact with the liquid present on the plate.

In another variant illustrated by FIG. 7, said liquid, which may be in the form of a gel or of glue and placed on a support (26) rolled up in a cassette comprising two rollers (23) and (29). This cassette, not fully illustrated, can be replaced by removing it from the case and putting another in its place.

The two rollers are driven in slow rotation by an electric motor and drive the support in the direction (27) of their rotation when the internal combustion engine is in operation and produces exhaust gases. One of the rollers comprises said support coated with said liquid and unwinds offering the surface of said support, which may be a canvas or a paper, in contact with the particles while the other roller rolls up the same support at a speed compatible with the unwinding of the first roller so that said support remains sufficiently taut. Here also the shapes of the housing such as (25) constrain the gases to a compulsory path as in (21), (22) and (24) which brings them into contact with said support. When the medium is about to be completely unwound and/or when it is completely unwound, an indicator indicates to the driver of the vehicle that the cassette must be replaced by a blank particle cassette. In this variant the compartment (28) does not require the presence of said liquid.

In a non-illustrated variant of the device according to FIGS. 7 and 8, the compartment such as (28) in FIG. 8 contains a sufficient quantity of said liquid so that the two rollers and said support are in permanent contact with said liquid. Said support here does not need to be pre-impregnated with said liquid.

In another variant illustrated by Figure 9, variant of the device according to Figures 7 and 8, the two rollers (30) and (31) are connected by a continuous support (32) which is in permanent contact with the liquid in the compartment. (33). Thus, as it passes in rotation around the rollers, the continuous support (33) collects particles when it is in contact with the exhaust gases and yields them to the liquid when it bathes in the liquid in its lower position of the compartment (33). It thus regenerates its surface to be optimally effective in the phase of the passage of gases over its surface. Here also the shapes like (34) of the housing force the gases to come into contact with the continuous support (32) like in (35) for better efficiency. The circulation arrangement of the continuous support means that in this variant it is not necessary to replace the continuous support, but it will be preferable to periodically drain said liquid.

The first embodiment and at least one variant, or at least two variants, can be combined to produce a new variant which also forms part of the present invention.

The first embodiment or each of the variants can be made with a substantially vertical or substantially horizontal main axis.

The shape, dimensions, proportions and number of the various elements may/may vary without changing the principle of the invention which has been described above.

The device allows a significant elimination of carbonaceous particles in the exhaust gases of automobiles and other vehicles or machines such as two-wheeled vehicles, trucks, boats, generators, etc.

Concerning the particles, we can approach a total depollution of the exhaust gases which is an ecological progress.
On the other hand, engines having an initial depollution device that is insufficient can meet the standards thanks to additional depollution by the device that is the subject of the invention.

Claims (9)

Device for removing particles in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines comprising a housing requiring the exhaust gases and the particles they contain a path bringing them into contact with as many surfaces as possible of the housing, characterized in that that a large part of the surfaces of the housing are coated with a liquid on which said particles are wholly or partly captured. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said liquid consists entirely or in part of castor oil. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said liquid circulates in the said housing by means of a pump (6). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing comprises at least one blade (5), preferably inclined, positioned on the path of the exhaust gases. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said blade (s) is (are) driven in rotation by the passage of the exhaust gases. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said blade (s) is (are) driven in rotation by means such as an electric motor. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said forced path of the gases passes through at least one perforated grid (20) on which at least a part of the said liquid circulates or which is immersed in the said liquid. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said liquid is arranged on a support (26) wound up in a cassette comprising two rollers (23) and (29), one of the rollers comprises the said support (26) coated with the said liquid and is unwinds while the other roll winds up the same media. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises two rollers (30) and (31) rotating at the same speed driving a continuous support (32) which is in permanent contact with said liquid in the compartment (33).