GB2298678A - Exhaust gas cooling and cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

INTAKE AND EXHAUST GAS CLEANING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF TBE INVENTION The present invention relates to an intake and exhaust gas cleaning apparatus and more particularly to an exhaust gas cleaner for automobile, motorcycle or factory.

Air pollution is becoming a serious problem worldwide. Engine exhaust of automobile and motorcycle, and factory discharge are the major sources of pollutants. Engine exhaust pollutants of a motor vehicle are generated mostly by the following circumstances 1. Too low of temperature in the combustion chamber when engine starting cold, 2. Driving uphill, bumpy road condition or heavy load, 3. Poor quality of gasoline or oils, 4. Clogged air filter gauze.

5. Intake of poor quality air in a poorly ventilating tunnel or congested road, 6. Engine abrasion or too much pollutants in combustion chamber.

7. Back pressure caused by smoke filter or catalytic converter.

Engine exhaust gas includes smoke which have solid particles and liquid drops. They all create huge air pollution problem and threaten the health of human beings and animals. Some of the exhaust gases discharges into atmosphere and form 'acid rain' which further creates water pollution problem. The carbon dioxide in engine exhaust gas is also one of the factors causing global greenhouse effect. Thus to minimize engine exhaust pollution is becoming worldwide focused efforts and endeavor.

Engine exhaust gas has the following characteristics : 1. High volume and high temperature.

2. High speed and has impulsive vibration.

3. Have viscosity after dispersion.

4. High vibration frequency and noise level.

5. Have fine particles and becomes greasy.

6. Contains water vapor.

7. Contains gases of C02, S02, CO, etc.

8. Contains Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and other cancer inducing or cell mutation gases.

9. Indirectly forms peroxyacety/nitrate (PAN) and other photo chemicals which are environmentally harmful.

Many types of engine exhausts controlling or eliminating means have been developed, but all of them have shortcomings and drawbacks, notably the followings 1. Wet type dust collector: tends to be blown away by vapor, consumes much water, tends to form erosive gas, not economical or practical.

2. Honeycomb type made by ceramic or metal-made filter gauze : easily get clogged by greasy smoke, incur back pressure, difficult operation, easily get damage, high cost, time consuming, short effective life, need lots of backup materials.

3. Whirlwind type or static collector : huge size, consumes much electric power, heavy load, not suitable for motor vehicles.

4. Additives in gasoline or diesel oil : while there are claims that the additives can improve combustion, not much evidence or proofs are available for their effectiveness in eliminating toxic gas, and it's still not conclusive if the additives will be harmful to the engine.

5. Combustion smoke filter : provides better results, but high cost, consumes energy and oxygen, and producing more carbon dioxide gas, has explosion risk, limited effective life, not re-cycleable.

The constraints and drawbacks set forth above have limited the exhaust controlling devices from being widely adopted or used. Thus there has been found a need for providing a more cost effective engine exhaust controlling means.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a means to clean the engine exhaust of an automobile or motorcycle.

It is another object of the present invention to extend the application of this gas cleaner to room or factory which has limited and confined space, and also to provide for reducing exhaust noise levels.

According to the invention, apparatus for the removal of pollutants from gases which include water vapour comprises a housing having an inlet for gases to be cleaned, an outlet for cleaned gases, condenser means between the inlet and outlet for condensing at least some of the water vapour, and collection means for condensed water vapour, whereby in use the water vapour on condensation abstracts pollutants from the gases and the water containing such pollutants accumulates in the collection means.

Abstraction of pollutants may take place by condensation or dissolution with or in the water vapour or condensed water vapour.

Preferably: the apparatus includes means for conducting cooling air through the condenser means; the condenser means comprises an array of heat exchange elements constructed and arranged to convey condensed water vapour to the collection means; the heat exchange elements are hollow and are generally arcuate in cross section with the concave surfaces thereof facing towards the inlet to induce turbulence and are in communication with the collection means, the interior thereof constituting a flow passage for the cooling air; the interior of the heat exchange elements have heat dissipating fins disposed therein; the condenser means comprises a chamber having a sloping floor, whereby condensed water is conveyed to the collection means;; the sloping floor comprises a plate through which the heat exchange elements extend, the cooling air being introduced in use below the plate; the condenser means further includes means for introduction of cleaning fluids; the apparatus further includes a muffler associated with the outlet for cleaned gases; the muffler comprises one or more bypass passages for expansion of cleaned gases; the collection means is funnel-shaped; the collection means includes a drain cock; and the collection means includes means to determine the level of the liquid contents.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a break up view of the present invention taken from one end, and fragmentary cutaway.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention taken from another end.

Fig. 3 is a section view of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a top view of a partition board of the present invention.

Fig. 4A is a fragmentary section view of a partition board.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a partition container.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a collection cylinder.

Fig. 7 is a top view of a collection cylinder.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of a collection cylinder.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a collection cylinder in the last row.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a muffler.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a waste bucket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the present invention is formed by stainless steel which can withstand high temperature and corrosion-resistant, and is disposed at the exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle. Exhaust gas, after being discharged from engine, enters gas cleaner via an intake pipe 21. The inside space of gas cleaner is divided into two sections by an assembly of collection cylinders 30 and partition container 20, one section contains flow of cooling air originated from outside or passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, and flow in through filter 12 disposed at one lateral end of the gas cleaner; another section contains heated exhaust gas.

The temperature difference of these two sections creates a dew-point effect to lower the temperature of exhaust gas and condense vapor therein into water. Contaminants in exhaust gas would resolve in the water, while clean air discharge through muffler 40 to outside. The water which contains contaminants accumulate and finally flow into a waste bucket 50.

Referring to Fig. 3, the arrow lines illustrate the flow path of cooling air. Cooling air pass through filter in the left and flow into gas cleaner, pass through heat dissipating fins 31 which are disposed inside of collection cylinder 30, then pass through filter in the right and flow out of gas cleaner.

Dot lines illustrate the flow path of exhaust gas.

Heated exhaust gas comes in from intake pipe 21, passes through collection cylinder 30 which removes the contaminants contained in exhaust gas, then flow into muffler 40 and discharge to outside. The temperature difference of cooling air and exhaust gas condense the vapor in exhaust gases and form in water which further resolve the contaminants in exhaust gas, thus result in clean air.

Referring to Fig. 4A, partition board 60 is a stainless steel plate in rectangular shape with a plurality of partition openings 61 formed thereon. A partition opening 61 has same shape as an outside cross section of a collection cylinder 30 and allows a collection cylinder 30 to pass through and to hold it in partition container 20. Also referring to Fig. 6, a collection cylinder 30 has a front concave surface 33 and a rear concave surface 35. Partition board 60 forms a turbulent flange 62 respectively at the contact against concave surface 33 and 35 of collection cylinder 30. Turbulent flange 62 serves as a funnel to guide greasy contaminants drip into the'bottom of collection cylinder 30 and finally flow into waste bucket 50.

Referring to Fig. 5, a partition container 20 is a generally rectangular box with closed ends, and is disposed at an inclined angle inside the shell 10 to allow the greasy contaminants flowing into waste bucket 50. A plurality of openings 23 are formed on the top wall of partition container 20, each opening 23 has same shape and size of an outside cross section of a collection cylinder 30. A collection cylinder 30 is disposed vertically through a top wall opening on partition container 20, and also engages with a partition board 60. The contacts of collection cylinder 30 and opening of collection container 20 are welded and sealed.

Collection cylinders 30 are disposed alternately such that exhaust gases pressure would be evenly distributed around the intake pipe 21, and the flow speed of exhaust gas can be slowed down once entering into collection container 20, thus allowing water vapor to have sufficient time to condense into water, and also increase the contact probability of exhaust gas with collection cylinder 30, and forming liquid drip with water. The liquid drip of water and exhaust gas contaminants then flow from turbulent flange 62 into the bottom of partition container 20.

There are two openings on one lateral side of partition container 20. Upper opening connects with a muffler 40 and allows the cleaned and filtered exhaust gas to be discharged into atmosphere. The lower opening connects with waste bucket 50 which receives and holds the combination of water and exhaust gas contaminants.

The wastes can be recycled for producing printing ink, paints, fillers, etc. Thus complying with environment protection requirements.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, two pipe connectors have been disposed on another lateral side of partition container 20.Intake pipe 21 is to receive exhaust gas.

Pipe 24 is branched with two tubes controlled by a valve. One tube is to receive high pressure cleaning water to wash and clean the interior of partition container 20. Another tube can connect with water pump of vehicle wiper, and using soda spraying water of wiper system to neutralize the exhaust gas contaminants, thus further cleansing the interior of partition container 20.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7, and 8, collection cylinder 30 has smooth outside surface allowing exhaust gas and water vapor to condense and mix into a greasy contaminants thereon and drip down to bottom. Inside the collection cylinder 30, there is a plurality of heat dissipating fins 31 being disposed to allow cooling air to flow through and carry away the heat of exhaust gas which flowing outside. Opening 32 directs toward the intake pipe 21. Each collection cylinder 30 has a front concave surface 33 and rear concave surface 35 to create turbulence in exhaust gas and thereby reduce the flowing speed, and to facilitate heat transfer between exhaust gas and heat dissipating fins 31.Water vapor would condense into water on the outside surface of collection cylinder 30 after reaching dew point temperature and resolve the toxic gases such as C02, and S02 through solute effect, and form a greasy liquid mixture gathering on outside surface of collection cylinder 30.

Accumulated greasy liquid mixture of water and exhaust gas contaminants then drip downward to the bottom of collection container.

On the bottom of collection cylinder 30, a recess 34 is formed and a flushing duct 36 is disposed therein.

Thus allow liquid mixture of water and exhaust gas contaminants deposited on the bottom of partition container 20 to flow into waste bucket 50.

Referring to Fig. 9, collection cylinder 30 at the last row has a straight extraction 37 to create another turbulence in exhaust gas to reduce noise of exhaust gas.

Referring to Fig. 10, a muffler 40 has a straight tube 42 and a branched curved tube 41, Also referring to FIG. 3, exhaust gas flows into muffler 40 and split into two paths, one goes to straight tube 41, another goes to curved tube 42. Applying Venturi tube principle, different length of tubes 41 and 42 creates interference of exhaust gas flow and to reduce noise level of discharged exhaust gas. Comparing with conventional muffler of employing multiple loops in a confined space, the present invention is smaller size and more effective to reduce exhaust noise.

Fig. 11 illustrates a waste bucket 50 formed in generally a funnel shape container. A guiding wedge 54 is formed at one end of waste bucket 50. Also referring to Fig. 3, waste bucket 50 is welded together with partition container 20. Guiding wedge 54 engages with an opening formed on a lateral side of partition container 20. Through gravity and vibration of motor vehicle, liquid form exhaust gas contaminants would gradually flow into waste bucket 50. A viewing hole 52 and a dip stick 53 is provided to measure the accumulating level of exhaust gas contaminants.

Draining plug 51 is provided at the bottom of waste bucket 50 to discharge exhaust gas contaminants as required. The contaminants can be recycled for producing printing inks, paints, fillers, etc. like other oil-based derivatives. Therefore the present invention can serve multiple purposes in this environment protection sensitive era.

Furthermore the present invention is also applicable and adaptable to other small confined space or factory where air pollution of smoke or fine particles is serious.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention are sufficiently referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings and embodiments set forth above. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that variation may be made without departing from the principles and scope disclosed.

Accordingly, the specific scope of the present invention is defined only by the following claims which are further exemplary of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for the removal of pollutants from gases which include water vapour, the apparatus comprising a housing having an inlet for gases to be cleaned, an outlet for cleaned gases, condenser means between the inlet and outlet for condensing at least some of the water vapour, and collection means for condensed water vapour, whereby in use the water vapour on condensation abstracts pollutants from the gases and the water containing such pollutants accumulates in the collection means.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the apparatus including means for conducting cooling air through the condenser means.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the condenser means comprises an array of heat exchange elements constructed and arranged to convey condensed water vapour to the collection means.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 as dependent on Claim 2, in which the heat exchange elements are hollow and are generally arcuate in cross section with the concave surfaces thereof facing towards the inlet and being in communication with the collection means, the interior thereof constituting a flow passage for the cooling air.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, in which the interior of the heat exchange elements have heat dissipating fins disposed therein.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the condenser means comprises a chamber having a sloping floor, whereby condensed water is conveyed to the collection means.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, as dependent on any of Claims 2 to 5, in which the sloping floor comprises a plate through which the heat exchange elements extend, the cooling air being introduced in use below the plate.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the condenser means further including means for introduction of cleaning fluids.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further including a muffler associated with the outlet for cleaned gases.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, in which the muffler comprises one or more bypass passages for expansion of cleaned gases.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the collection means is funnel-shaped.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the collection means includes a drain cock.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the collection means includes means to determine the level of the liquid contents.

14. An intake and exhaust gas cleaning apparatus comprising: a shell container formed by stainless steel plate which can withstand high-temperature and is corrosionresistant, and having two lateral sides each having a filter installed thereon; a plurality of collection cylinders formed by a hollow duct with smooth outside surface and having a concave front surface and a concave rear surface, said hollow duct has a plurality of heat dissipating fins disposed therein, said hollow duct further has a recess formed at its bottom and has a flushing duct disposed therein;; a partition board formed by a rectangular shape stainless steel plate and having a plurality of openings thereon, said opening has same shape as outside cross section of said collection cylinder, each said opening engages with a said collection cylinder, said opening forms respectively an inclined turbulent flange at corresponding position facing said front and rear concave surface;; a partition container formed in a rectangular closed box and being disposed at an inclined angle inside of the shell container, and having a plural of cavities formed on its top wall, said cavity has same shape as cross section of said collection cylinder and firmly engages with a vertically disposed said collection cylinder, said partition container further having an intake pipe and a cleansing duct disposed on one lateral side, the intake pipe allows exhaust gas to flow into said partition container, the cleansing duct has two-tube opening with a two-way valve disposed inside, one of said two-tube openings allows high pressure water to come in for cleansing interior of said partition container, another said two-tube opening allows soda water to enter for cleaning interior of said partition container, said partition container also having an upper and a lower opening on another lateral side; a muffler having adopted Venturi tube principle and having a straight tube and a curved tube branched out from said straight tube at other end, said straight tube has one end connecting with said upper opening in said partition container; and a waste bucket formed in a funnel shape and having a guiding wedge engages with said lower opening of said partition container, and having a draining plug disposed at the bottom, and further having a viewing hole and a dip stick disposed on a side wall.

15. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.