WO2004047962A1

WO2004047962A1 - Extractor for harmful substances

Info

Publication number: WO2004047962A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/013248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ursula Lang Von Langen
Original assignee: Ursula Lang Von Langen
Priority date: 2002-11-26
Filing date: 2003-11-25
Publication date: 2004-06-10
Also published as: EP1596965A1; AU2003293720A1; DE10255152A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) which comprises a drive device (7) of its own for displacing the device (1) and a cleaning device (2) for ambient air comprising an inlet (3) for taking up ambient air and an outlet (4) for discharging the cleaned air into the ambience. The invention is characterized in that the inlet (3) is adapted to take up ambient air in a range between a lower height of 0 cm and an upper height of 80 cm height (h) above a planar floor (5) on which the device (1) can be disposed. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning ambient air by means of a cleaning device (6) which is associated with a device (1) having a drive device (7) of its own for displacing the device. According to said method, ambient air is taken up, the air is cleaned and then discharged into the ambience. The inventive method is characterized in that ambient air is taken up at a height of between 0 cm to 80 cm above the floor.

Description

The invention relates to a device with its own drive device and a cleaning device for ambient air and a method for cleaning ambient air.

From DE 43 18 738 a method for the purification of outside air is known. In this case, vehicles are used as carriers of conventional filters and / or catalytic converters, the filters and / or catalytic converters not constituting a component necessary for the operation of these motor vehicles.

Furthermore, from GB 2218354 an air cleaner in combination with a car, train or bus is known, which receives air through the wind when the vehicle is moving, and which includes a particulate filter and a gas pollutant filter.

The object of the present invention is to improve such a known device and a known method.

The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 17. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the respective subclaims.

If the altitude of the air is not higher than 80 cm above the ground, it has been found that the apparatus and the method for purifying ambient air are particularly effective since there are particularly high levels of pollutants in this altitude area in urban areas , The lower the altitude, the more pollutants are present. Ambient air is, for example, the air that is outside the interior or cargo space or the air that surrounds the device 1.

Furthermore, it should be noted, however, that the corresponding devices which can move with their own drive means often require some ground clearance, so that the arrangement of the entrance above a lower level can be advantageous so that the ground clearance is not affected by the entrance , The entrance may be about an air intake opening. The device is provided so that, for example, leaves and dirt from the street floor is not recorded. This can be achieved by the entrance being far enough away from the ground. The apparatus can be manufactured from any motor-driven vehicle, such as a passenger car, truck, rail vehicle (tram, metro, suburban train) as well as motor-driven two-wheeled vehicles, ie motorcycle, such as moped, motorcycle or the like, and the method with it be performed.

The drive device of the device may be, for example, an internal combustion engine such as a diesel or gasoline or alcohol engine or an electric motor.

For gasoline engines, which are often equipped today with exhaust catalysts for exhaust gas purification, it should be noted that these catalytic converters usually work properly only after heating to their operating temperature. In particular, at the beginning of a journey of such a vehicle, the catalytic converter is not at its operating temperature and the exhaust gases of the vehicles remain incompletely cleaned.

To counteract this and to provide a device which is effective, i. H. For example, averaged over a day or over a year, zero emissions ("zero emission vehicle"), or below, this invention is useful. It should be noted that with the avoidance of pollutant emissions in such devices it is never possible to emit less than zero pollutants. However, with the present apparatus and method, it is possible for the device to remove more pollutants than it emits. This is especially due to the long service life of the device, which can be used for pollutant removal.

However, the apparatus and method is not limited to the removal of the type of pollutants that the propulsion device of the device itself emits, but may be suitable for any type of pollutants. By way of example only, it should be noted that such a cleaning device in a gasoline engine-powered car can also be designed to remove soot from diesel vehicles. Also, pollutants from heating systems, etc. can be removed.

The device and the method serve to reduce or eliminate harmful and climate-relevant gases and pollutants. This can be for one by conversion into innocuous or less harmful gases or by filtering out these gases. It is also possible to filter out dust particles and soot particles or to catalyze them.

The relevant pollutants to be discussed and their reduction or elimination are listed below by way of example.

hydrocarbons:

These arise when incomplete combustion of fuels. In addition, they are found in significant concentrations in the area of gas stations and underground garages by evaporation of fuel. Hydrocarbons with more than 4 carbon atoms are very well separated from activated carbon. Others can be catalytically decomposed into CO ₂ and H ₂ O.

Nitrogen oxides:

Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO ₂ ) are produced in large quantities by internal combustion engines and eliminated by catalytic converters only at a sufficient operating temperature. These substances can be well deposited with impregnated activated carbon or converted into N ₂ and O ₂ with suitable catalysts.

Carbon monoxide:

Almost 2/3 of today's carbon monoxide emission (CO) is attributable to today's road traffic. It should be noted that CO is also a precursor of the climate-damaging CO ₂ . CO can be deposited, for example, from activated carbon with a special impregnation. Since CO is toxic, it may also be advantageous to carry out a catalysis of CO in CO ₂ with atmospheric oxygen. Dioxins and furans:

These probably most toxic substances produced by humans are also produced by combustion engines. However, these extremely toxic substances can be very well separated from activated carbon.

Ozone:

The formation of ozone (O ₃ ) can be avoided by the very good absorption effect of activated carbon for the precursor substances, such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which can be removed by the cleaning device. Created ozone can also be converted into oxygen by catalysis. For example, serve catalytic polymers.

nitrous oxide:

Sources of nitrous oxide (N ₂ 0) are essentially agricultural and, increasingly, road traffic to a decreasing extent. In road transport, the increase is largely due to the fact that nitrous oxide emissions have increased significantly as a result of the introduction of catalytic converters. Nitrous oxide is of particular relevance because it is listed in the Kyoto Protocol as a greenhouse gas and is weighted by a factor of 310 in the calculation of carbon dioxide equivalents. This means that nitrous oxide is 310 times more relevant than the same amount of carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide can be decomposed with catalysts, for example, or removed with molecular sieves or molecular sieve adsorbers.

sulfur dioxide:

Sulfur dioxide in combination with water forms sulphurous acid. It is blamed as one of the main polluters for acid rain and forest dying as well as winter smog. Sulfur dioxide can be separated from impregnated activated carbon. It can also be chemically bound in appropriately prepared filters. PAHs:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are found among other things in car exhaust gases and more so in the exhaust gases of diesel-powered vehicles compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Many PAHs are considered carcinogenic. These pollutants are absorbed very well by activated carbon filters. Also, they can be decomposed catalytically in, among other C0 ₂ and H ₂ O.

Soot:

Particularly in the case of diesel combustion, soot is produced, which is present in the form of minute respirable particles. The cancer relevance of these soot is discussed again and again. The soot particles can be well separated with an ordinary filter as well as activated carbon.

carbon dioxide:

By eliminating carbon dioxide precursors, such as CO and hydrocarbons, a reduction in CO ₂ pollution (climate-relevant gas according to the Kyoto Protocol) is also possible. It would also be desirable to have complete absorption of CO _2, such as in cold traps.

Methane:

Methane (CH), which also occurs in small amounts in the combustion of fuels, also applies according to the Kyoto Protocol as a climate-relevant gas (weighting factor for the calculation of carbon dioxide equivalents: 21). For example, methane can be catalytically decomposed together with atmospheric oxygen into C0 ₂ and H ₂ 0 so as to come from the more climate-relevant gas CH to the less relevant CO ₂ gas.

From the above comments on the various pollutants it is clear that the cleaning device advantageously comprises several purification stages, which may be designed, for example, for the various pollutants. Also will clear that activated carbon and / or impregnated activated carbon is preferably comprised by the cleaning device, wherein the activated carbon is preferably regenerable. It also becomes clear that the cleaning device preferably comprises a soot and / or a dust filter.

While according to GB 2218354, the intake of the ambient air by the movement of the vehicle to be done, which is of course also possible here, a preferred embodiment of the invention is that the device comprises a fan. This allows the implementation of the method even at standstill of the device. This is particularly advantageous in that such devices usually have much longer standstill than movement times, so that the method can be carried out for a long time. The blower is designed so strong that leaves and dirt from the ground or the road are not included.

Preferably, the device therefore comprises solar cells or a thermoelectric device for obtaining electrical energy, which serves to drive the blower. This has the advantage that the operation of the cleaning device thus no further energy consumption and thus pollutant emissions is connected. Also, the energy supply by a fuel cell is conceivable.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the fan is quiet and / or soundproofed or soundproofed. As a result, no permanent disturbing noises occur when the device is at standstill and the fan is operating.

The cleaning device is furthermore advantageous in that it comprises interchangeable filters and / or catalyst elements. This allows a process with an exchange of these elements without having to replace the entire cleaning device and further allows to prevent saturation of the filter or contamination of the catalysts and consequent inefficiency of the filter and / or catalysts.

The replaceable filter or catalyst elements are advantageously completely combustible, so that they can still be used for example in the process for energy. Advantageously, the device further comprises sensors for detecting the state of the air before and after cleaning. As a result, an operation of the cleaning device or the fan can be omitted if the device is in clean ambient air. Such sensors may be, for example, infrared spectroscopy sensors or chemical / physical sensors. A downstream of the purification stage sensor can register defective or saturated filters or damaged or dirty catalysts and thus can be given an indication of a required replacement of the same. This can then be done in the process.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the output is as far away as possible from the input. This prevents that just cleaned air passes into the cleaning device again when performing the method and thus the effectiveness of the cleaning is impaired.

The cleaning device can thus consist of components that are irrelevant to the function of the device as a means of transportation. However, it is also possible to use individual components such as a blower, a pipe or a catalyst for air purification.

Advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

1 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of an embodiment of the invention,

2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,

Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of a part of a cleaning device.

In Fig. 1 as a device 1, a passenger car (car) 1 is shown. This should be representative of the other possible devices, such as trucks, Rail vehicles or motorcycles, ie, the following statements apply to the said devices.

The car 1 is equipped with a motor 7, which is shown here only schematically, which is provided for moving the car 1.

The car 1 comprises a cleaning device 2. The cleaning device 2 has an inlet 3, which is provided at a height h of not more than 80 cm above the bottom 5. The inlet 3 is located at the end of an optional pipe section 9. The pipe section 9 opens into a housing 6, in which filters and / or catalysts are provided. The rear end of the housing 6 is connected to a tube 8 which terminates in an outlet 4. The tube 8 extends are here to the rear end of the car. For example, an already provided exhaust pipe can also be used at least partially here. While in Fig. 1 and 2, the housing 6 is provided in the engine compartment, it may also be arranged at any other suitable location of the car, such as on the underside of the car or in the trunk area.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outlet 4 is arranged here as far away as possible from the inlet 3 so as to deliver the purified air as far away as possible from the inlet 3.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the housing 6 and the inlet 3 are arranged relatively close below an upper cover of the engine compartment. This means that air is taken from the area of the engine compartment in the entrance 3. Since the engine compartment is usually open, for example, front or bottom, ambient air is also absorbed here.

The entrance 3 can advantageously be arranged further down, for example in bumpers or license plate height or even below. An arrangement of the input 3 behind the cooling air inlet (grille) is possible. The same applies to the housing 6. It is particularly advantageous if the input 3 is arranged so that it is acted upon by movement of the car 1 forward through the airstream with ambient air. The output 4 need not be, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, at the rear end of the car, but may also be provided on the underside, in the engine compartment or for example in the wheel arches. Also, a discharge of the air in the roof, the spars or other body parts of the car 1 is possible.

In Fig. 3, the housing 6 of the cleaning device 2 is shown. In a pipe socket 3, a sensor 15 is arranged for detecting the state of the ambient air. This sensor 15 can determine the various pollutant components to be purified or even a part thereof individually or collectively. The sensor may also be provided at the position 16.

In the housing 6, a dust and / or soot filter 12 is disposed near the entrance 3. This serves to weggefiltem dust and / or soot. This serves, on the one hand, to purify the air to be delivered and, on the other hand, prevents the catalyst (s) and / or filter (s), in particular activated carbon, from being added or contaminated. This filtering is a first purification stage of the air. To clean small soot particles, the filter 12 must be correspondingly fine-pored. Considered, for example, flow, tissue, paper or foam mats or similar conventional filter elements. The filter 12 is preferably replaceable. By providing corresponding air lines, it is also possible to use an air filter assigned to the drive device 7 for the first air purification.

Downstream (in the direction of the arrow 18) of the dust and / or soot filter 12, a fan 10 is shown schematically. However, this can also be arranged upstream of the filter 12. The arrangement downstream of the dust and / or soot filter 12 has the advantage that the fan operates in pre-cleaned air and not so quickly polluted. Also, the blower 10 may be disposed outside of the housing 6 (externally).

Often, cars have a cooling air blower for supplying cooling air to the drive means 7. Also, such a blower may be used to supply air to the housing 6 if appropriate air lines are provided to the housing 6. This has the advantage that no separate blower for the cleaning device 2 is necessary. In Fig. 3 are provided downstream of the filter 12 and the fan 10 different areas for different purification stages. Three regions 11a, 11b and 11c are shown by way of example in FIG. 3, but it may also be only one, two or even more than three, such as four, five or six subregions or more.

In each area 11a, 11b, 11c, a filter and / or catalyst 14a, 14b, 14c is arranged in each case. These filters and / or catalysts 14a, 14b, 14c are respectively held in cartridges or cartridges 13a, 13b, 13c. The cartridges 13a, 13b, 13c are permeable to air on at least two, preferably opposite, sides so that the filter medium or the catalyst located therein comes into contact with the air.

For example, 14a may be an ozone catalyst that converts ozone to oxygen. 14b may be activated carbon for filtering various substances, such as hydrocarbons or PAHs, and 14c may be an impregnated activated carbon for the absorption of nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide. For each of the pollutants discussed above, a corresponding filter and / or catalyst may be provided.

Downstream of the respective filter stages may be arranged a single sensor for detecting the state of the purified air, however, it is also possible to use a sensor 17 in the output region of the housing 6 z. B. in or at the tube 8 provide.

By determining the pollutant concentration at the sensor 15 or 16, d. H. Before filtration or catalytic treatment and a determination of the same thereafter, it can be concluded that the condition of the filter or the catalysts. If the results are approximately equal, the filters or catalysts must be replaced, since they no longer function properly.

Instead of the filter and catalysts provided in the housing 6, it is also possible to provide an air line to an exhaust gas catalytic converter located in the device 1. This allows a still warm catalyst shortly after switching off the drive device 7 of the device 1 to use for air purification. If the catalytic converter is used together with an external blower, the housing 6 could possibly even be completely eliminated. While the housing 6 is shown cylindrically in Figs. 1 to 3, it may also have any other shape suitable for mounting the filters and / or catalysts 14a, 14b, 14c therein and for mounting the housing 6 in the device 1 ,

In the following, an embodiment of the method will be explained.

The car 1 of FIG. 1 is moved by the drive device 7. By the movement of the car 1, the input 3 is acted upon by wind. The incoming air is passed through the tube 9 into the housing 6. Then it is cleaned of the dust and / or soot filter 12 of dust and / or soot. Subsequently, the air in the direction of arrow 18 passes through the various purification stages in the areas 11a, 11b and 11c and leaves the housing 6 cleaned by the tube 8. At the end of the tube 8, the purified air is discharged at the outlet 4.

The air is absorbed between an upper level and a lower level.

Another method is that the device 1 is not driven by the drive device 7 and stands still. The blower 10 sucks or blows air through an inlet 3 and directs it to the interior of the housing 6. Here the cleaning takes place. The emerging from the housing 6 air is supplied through the pipe 8 to the output 4 and there directly, d. H. not only, for example, in the interior of the car 1, discharged into the environment.

Both methods can be used to determine the concentration of one or more relevant pollutants before and after cleaning. If the cleaning effect is insufficient, d. H. the reduction of the pollutant concentration is not available or too low, a corresponding indication, for example by a warning light or the like, take place. This is the sign to replace the filters and / or catalysts 14a, 14b, 14c. It is estimated that a change of approximately every 40,000 to 50,000 km of driving performance of the car is necessary.

Furthermore, it is possible for the sensor 15 to register that the ambient air is largely clean. Then the fan 10 is not put into operation. If the ambient air is already sufficiently clean, cleaning this air would be no more or only very slightly possible, so that it seems advantageous to protect the fan 10 and not to put into operation.

If the filter performance of one of the filters or the catalytic power of one of the catalysts is exhausted, the filter and / or the catalyst can be replaced according to the method. Here, the old filter and / or catalyst is removed and installed a new filter and / or catalyst. This can happen, for example, when the car is in a gas station or a workshop or specially designated places. Also, the exchange can be carried out by each person themselves.

If the old filter is a regenerable filter, it can be regenerated during the process and then reinstalled. It is not necessary that it be installed in the same vehicle, but it can also be installed in another vehicle. The same applies to catalysts that can be recycled.

If the filter or catalyst can not be regenerated or reprocessed, it must be disposed of properly.

For example, in the case of activated carbon filters, the process may include burning the filters. For this purpose, it is advantageous that the cartridge or cartridge 13a, 13b, 13c is completely combustible. The energy of the activated carbon, which is released during combustion, can be used to generate energy.

Claims

claims

1. Device (1) with:

a separate drive device (7) for moving the device (1) and

an ambient air purifier (2) having an inlet (3) for receiving ambient air and an outlet (4) for discharging purified air into the environment,

characterized in that

the inlet (3) is adapted to receive ambient air in a range between a bottom height of 0 cm and a top height of 80 cm height (h) above a level bottom (5) on which the device (1) may be located ,

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower height of one of the values of 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm , 55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm, or 75 cm.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper height, which is greater than the lower height, one of the values of 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm, 55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm or 75 cm.

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (1) is a passenger car, a truck, a rail vehicle or a motorcycle.

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the drive device (7) an internal combustion engine, such as diesel or gasoline or Alcohol motor, and / or an electric motor, which is for example battery or fuel cell operated includes.

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cleaning device (2) at least one filter and / or catalyst (14a, 14b, 14c) preferably for nitrogen oxide and / or carbon monoxide and / or carbon dioxide and / or hydrocarbon and / or nitrous oxide and / or sulfur dioxide and / or dioxin and / or furan and / or ozone and / or PAH and / or methane, and / or carbon black, and / or dust.

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cleaning device (2) comprises a plurality of purification stages.

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cleaning device (2) comprises activated carbon (14a, 14b, 14c) and / or impregnated activated carbon (14a, 14b, 14c).

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the activated carbon (14a, 14b, 14c) is regenerable

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cleaning device (2) comprises a fan (10).

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a solar cell, a fuel cell or a thermoelectric device for supplying energy to the blower (10).

12. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cleaning device (2) exchangeable filter and / or catalyst elements (13a, 13b, 13c) comprises.

13. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the interchangeable filter or catalyst elements (13a, 13b, 13c) are completely combustible.

14. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that an at least sensor (15,16) is provided for detecting the contamination of the ambient air.

15. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one sensor (17) for detecting the state of the cleaning device (6) is provided.

16. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the output (4) is at least one meter preferably two meters and more preferably at least five meters away from the entrance (3).

17. A method for cleaning of ambient air with a cleaning device (2), which is associated with a device (1) with its own drive means (7) for moving the device (1), wherein

Ambient air is absorbed,

the air is cleaned and

is released into the environment,

characterized in that

the ambient air is absorbed at a height between 0 cm and 80 cm above the ground.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the lower height has a value of 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm, 55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm or 75 cm.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the upper height, which is greater than the lower height, one of the values 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm, 55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm or 75 cm.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the ambient air with a filter and / or catalyst (14a, 14b, 14c) is cleaned.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the filter and / or catalyst (14a, 14b, 14c) is replaced during a stay of the device (1) in a gas station or a workshop.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the filter and / or catalyst (14a, 14b, 14c) is burned or regenerated.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the filter and / or catalyst (14a, 14b, 14c), which is regenerable, is re-installed in the cleaning device (2).

24. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that the cleaned air at least one meter, preferably two meters, and more preferably at least five meters from the point at which it was taken, is delivered.

25. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, characterized in that the device (1) by the drive means (7) is moved and is absorbed by the movement of ambient air.

26. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, characterized in that the device is stationary and the ambient air is received by a blower (10).