Filter assemblies and systems for intake air for fuel cells

• US 20020157359A1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Stenersen, Eivind, Canepa, Richard Thomas, Nyman, William Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,797,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 55/350.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/10 Inorganic adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/102 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/104 Alumina
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/106 Silica or silicates
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/108 Zeolites
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/206 Ion exchange resins
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/25 Coated, impregnated or composite adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/304 Linear dimensions, e.g. particle shape, diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/3425 Honeycomb shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/2045 Hydrochloric acid
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/30 Sulfur compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/302 Sulfur oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/304 Hydrogen sulfide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/40 Nitrogen compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/404 Nitrogen oxides other than dinitrogen oxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/406 Ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/708 Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/80 Water
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/01 Engine exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/0208 from fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40009 : using sensors or gas analysers
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40084 : by exchanging used adsorbents with fresh adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4566 : for use in transportation means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2267/40 : Different types of filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/60 : for the intake of internal combustion engines or turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0036 : by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/10 : Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/24 : Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using rigid hollow filter bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/42 : Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/4227 : Manipulating filters or filter elements, e.g. handles or extracting tools
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/4236 : Reducing noise or vibration emissions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/525 : which comprises flutes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/527 : in wound arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/62 : connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0407 : Constructional details of adsorbing systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0415 : Beds in cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0431 : Beds with radial gas flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0446 : Means for feeding or distributing gases
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/1266 : comprising multiple chambers or compartments
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/14 : Combined air cleaners and silencers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 : of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 : Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0662 : Treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues, e.g. cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0687 : Reactant purification by the use of membranes or filters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells

Abstract

A filter assembly for removing particulate contaminants and chemical contaminants from an incoming dirty air stream for a fuel cell. The filter assembly also includes a noise suppression element that reduces sound waves or noise emanating from any equipment, such as a compressor. The filter assembly can include a particulate filter portion for removing physical or particulate contaminants, a chemical filter portion for removing chemical contaminants, or can have both portions.

Claims

1. An air moving assembly comprising:

(a) a first filter assembly comprising;

(i) a first housing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet configured to receive dirty air into the first filter assembly, and the outlet configured to deliver clean air from the first filter assembly;

(ii) a first filter element within the housing, the filter element comprising a particulate filter portion constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the dirty air; and

(iii) a chemical filter portion arranged to remove chemical contaminants from the dirty air;

(b) air moving equipment having an inlet and an outlet and operable to move air from its inlet to its outlet, the inlet of the air moving equipment being connected to receive air from the outlet of the first filter assembly; and

(c) a second filter assembly comprising;

(i) a second housing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet connected to receive air into the second filter assembly from the outlet of the air moving equipment, and the outlet of the second filter assembly configured to deliver clean air from the second filter assembly; and

(ii) a second filter element within the second housing, the second filter element comprising a particulate filter portion constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the air from the air moving equipment.

2. The air moving assembly according to claim 1, wherein the chemical filter portion of the first filter assembly comprises at least one adsorbent material.

3. The air moving assembly according to claim 2, wherein the chemical filter portion comprises a first adsorbent material and a second adsorbent material.

4. The air moving assembly according to claim 1, wherein the particulate filter of the first filter element comprises a cellulosic material.

5. The air moving assembly according to claim 1, wherein the particulate filter of the first filter element comprises a polymeric material.

6. The air moving assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first housing provides sound suppression.

7. The air moving assembly according to claim 1, wherein the particulate filter of the second filter element comprises depth media.

8. The air moving assembly according to claim 7, wherein the depth media comprises fiberglass.

9. The air moving assembly according to claim 1, wherein the air moving equipment is a compressor.

10. The air moving assembly according to claim 9, wherein the compressor provides an outlet flow rate of about 0.1 to 0.15 grams air/second.

11. An air filtration assembly comprising:

(a) a first filter assembly comprising;

(i) a first housing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet configured to receive dirty air into the first filter assembly, and the outlet configured to deliver clean air from the first filter assembly;

(ii) a first filter element within the housing, the filter element comprising a particulate filter portion constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the dirty air; and

(iii) a chemical filter portion arranged to remove chemical contaminants from the dirty air; and

(b) a second filter assembly comprising;

(i) a second housing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet connected to receive air into the second filter assembly from an outlet of air moving equipment, and the outlet of the second filter assembly configured to deliver clean air from the second filter assembly; and

(ii) a second filter element within the second housing, the second filter element comprising a particulate filter portion constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants.

12. The air filtration assembly according to claim 11, wherein the chemical filter portion of the first filter assembly comprises at least one adsorbent material.

13. The air filtration assembly according to claim 12, wherein the chemical filter portion comprises a first adsorbent material and a second adsorbent material.

14. The air filtration assembly according to claim 11, wherein the particulate filter of the first filter element comprises a cellulose material.

15. The air filtration assembly according to claim 11, wherein the particulate filter of the first filter element comprises a polymeric material.

16. The air filtration assembly according to claim 11, wherein the particulate filter of the second filter element comprises depth media.

17. The air filtration assembly according to claim 16, wherein the depth media comprises fiberglass.

18. The air filtration assembly according to claim 17, wherein the depth media comprises a first fiberglass media and a second fiberglass media.

19. A power producing assembly comprising:

(a) a first filter assembly comprising;

(i) a first housing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet configured to receive dirty air into the first filter assembly, and the outlet configured to deliver clean air from the first filter assembly;

(ii) a first filter element within the housing, the filter element comprising a particulate filter portion constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the dirty air; and

(iii) a chemical filter portion arranged to remove chemical contaminants from the dirty air;

(b) an air compressor having an inlet and an outlet and operable to move air from its inlet to its outlet, the inlet of the compressor being connected to receive air from the outlet of the first filter assembly; and

(c) a second filter assembly comprising;

(i) a second housing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet connected to receive air into the second filter assembly from the outlet of the compressor, and the outlet of the second filter assembly configured to deliver clean air from the second filter assembly; and

(ii) a second filter element within the second housing, the second filter element comprising a particulate filter portion constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the air from the compressor.