Filter assemblies and systems for intake air for fuel cells

• US 20050235615A1
• Filed: 02/07/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Linnersten, Staffan, White, Donald H., Nyman, William, Bourget, Randy
• Granted Patent: US 7,416,580 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 35/14 : 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 comprising:

(a) 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;

(b) a particulate filtration portion constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the dirty air; and

(c) a chemical filtration portion in a housing arranged to remove chemical contaminants from the dirty air, comprising;

(i) at least one shaped adsorbent article; and

(ii) a mass of fibrous non-woven material.

2. The air filtration assembly of claim 1, having at least four shaped adsorbent articles comprising adsorbent material.

3. The air filtration assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one shaped adsorbent article comprises:

activated carbon material impregnated with at least one of acidic material and basic material or catalytic material.

4. The air filtration assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one shaped adsorbent article occupies at least 50% of the housing.

5. The air filtration assembly of claim 4 wherein the at least one shaped adsorbent article occupies at least 60% of the housing.

6. The air filtration assembly of claim 5 wherein the at least one shaped adsorbent article occupies at least 70% of the housing.

7. The air filtration assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one shaped adsorbent article provides sound suppression.

8. The air filtration assembly of claim 1, wherein the fibrous non-woven material occupies at least 10% of the housing.

9. The air filtration assembly of claim 1, wherein the particulate filter is configured for straight-through flow.

10. An air filtration assembly comprising:

(a) 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;

(b) a particulate filtration portion constructed and arranged to remove particulate contaminants from the dirty air; and

(c) a chemical filtration portion arranged to remove chemical contaminants from the dirty air, comprising at least four shaped adsorbent articles.

11. The air filtration assembly of claim 10, wherein the adsorbent articles comprise activated carbon material impregnated with at least one of acidic material and basic material.

12. The air filtration assembly of claim 10, wherein the adsorbent articles comprise comprises catalytic material.

13. The air filtration assembly of claim 10 wherein the adsorbent articles are positioned within a housing and occupy at least 50% of the housing.

14. The air filtration assembly of claim 13 wherein the adsorbent articles occupy at least 70% of the housing.

15. The air filtration assembly of claim 10, wherein an area between adjacent adsorbent articles is sealed.

16. The air filtration assembly of claim 10, wherein the adsorbent articles provide sound suppression.

17. The air filtration assembly of claim 17, wherein the particulate filter is configured for straight-through flow.

18. A method of filtering an air stream, comprising:

(a) passing a dirty air stream to a filtration assembly via an inlet, the filtration assembly comprising a particulate filtration portion and a chemical filtration portion;

(b) passing the dirty air stream through the particulate filtration portion to remove particulate contaminants from the dirty air stream; and

(c) passing the dirty air stream through the chemical filtration portion to remove chemical contaminants from the dirty air, the chemical filtration portion comprising at least one shaped adsorbent article and a mass of fibrous non-woven material; and

(d) obtaining a clean air stream from the filtration assembly via an outlet.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of passing the dirty air stream through the particulate filtration portion is done prior to passing the dirty air stream through the chemical filtration portion.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of passing the dirty air stream through the chemical filtration portion comprises passing the dirty air stream through the at least one shaped adsorbent article and then passing the dirty air stream through the fibrous non-woven material.