Filter assemblies and systems for intake air for fuel cells

• US 20050076623A1
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Published: 04/14/2005
• 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 7,138,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 55/350.100
• 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 intake systems for vehicles comprising filters F02M35/024
• 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 filtration assembly for use with a fuel cell and air moving equipment, the assembly comprising:

(a) a first filter assembly comprising;

(i) 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 particulate filter constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the dirty air; and

(iii) a chemical filter 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 fuel cell having an oxidant inlet connected to receive air from the outlet of the air moving equipment.

2. The air filtration assembly according to claim 1, further including:

(a) a first housing comprising an interior and the inlet and the outlet of the first filter assembly, the particulate filter and the chemical filter being positioned within the interior of the first housing.

3. The air filtration assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

(d) a second filter assembly having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet configured to receive air from the outlet of the air moving equipment and the outlet configured to provide air to the fuel cell oxidant inlet, the second filter assembly comprising;

(i) a second particulate filter constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the air exiting from the air moving equipment.

4. The air filtration assembly according to claim 3:

(a) the first filter assembly further including a first housing comprising an interior and the inlet and the outlet of the first filter assembly, the particulate filter and the chemical filter being positioned within the interior of the first housing; and

(b) the second filter assembly further including a second housing comprising an interior and the inlet and the outlet of the second filter assembly, the second particulate filter being positioned within the interior of the second housing.

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

6. The air filtration assembly according to claim 5, wherein the chemical filter comprises a first adsorbent material and a second adsorbent material.

7. The air filtration assembly according to claim 1, wherein the particulate filter of the first filter assembly comprises a cellulosic material.

8. The air filtration assembly according to claim 7 wherein the particulate filter of the first filter assembly is configured for straight-through flow.

9. The air filtration assembly according to claim 1, the first filter assembly providing sound suppression.

10. The air filtration assembly according to claim 9, the first filter assembly including:

(a) a first housing comprising an interior and the inlet and the outlet of the first filter assembly, the particulate filter and the chemical filter being positioned within the interior of the first housing, wherein the first housing provides sound suppression.

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

12. An air filtration assembly for use with a fuel cell and air moving equipment, the assembly comprising:

(a) a filter assembly comprising;

(i) 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 particulate filter constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the dirty air; and

(iii) a chemical filter arranged to remove chemical contaminants from the dirty air, the chemical filter comprising an immobilized carbon element;

(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 fuel cell having an oxidant inlet connected to receive air from the outlet of the air moving equipment.

13. The air filtration assembly according to claim 12, wherein the chemical filter comprises a plurality of immobilized carbon elements.

14. The air filtration assembly according to claim 12, wherein the chemical filter further comprises a fiber element.

15. The air filtration assembly according to claim 14, wherein the fiber element comprises acidic material.

16. The air filtration assembly according to claim 14, wherein the fiber element comprises basic material.