Method and apparatus for storing water separated from fuel
24 claims: 2 independent, 22 dependent
- 1Patentkrav 1. Förfarande för lagring av vatten som avskilts från motorbränsle med hjälp av ett bränslefilter (6) och en med ett vattenlagringsutrymme (8) i bränslefiltret (6) förbunden absorbator (16) i form av en från bränslefiltret separat detalj, kännetecknat av att lag5 ringen av vattnet i absorbatom (16) görs på ett reversibelt sätt och att absorbatom förses med sådana organ (22, 26, 28) att den kan återställas på platsen.
- 2Förfarande enligt kravet 1, kännetecknat av att absorbatom (16) fylls med en eller flera absorbenter (18, 20).
- 3Förfarande enligt kravet 1 eller 2, kännetecknat av att vattnet i vattenlagrings10 utrymmet (8) tillförs kontinuerligt eller diskontinuerligt till absorbatom (16).
- 4Förfarande enligt något av föregående krav, kännetecknat av att vatten som drivs ut från absorbatom (16) återanvänds.
- 5Förfarande enbgt kravet 4, kännetecknat av att återställningen av absorbatom åstadkommes med ett tryck och/eller en temperaturhöjning. 15
- 6Förfarande enbgt kravet 4, kännetecknat av att vattnet ångas bort med hjälp av en i absorbatom (16) anordnad veke (28), företrädesvis genom att det får avdunsta från vekens yta i luftinsugningssystemet (30) i en förbränningsmotor.
- 7Anordning för genomförande av förfarandet enbgt patentkravet 1 för lagring av vatten som avskilts från motorbränsle med hjälp av ett bränslefilter (6), varvid anordning20 en har en med ett vattenlagringsutrymme (
- 88) i bränslefiltret (6) genom en förbindelseledning (12) förbunden absorbator (16) i form av en från bränslefiltret separat detalj, kännetecknad av att lagringen av vattnet i absorbatom (16) sker på ett reversibelt sätt och att absorbatom (16) är försedd med sådana organ (22,26,28) att den kan återställas på platsen. 25 8. Anordning enbgt kravet 7, kännetecknad av att förbindelseledningen (12) innehåller ett avstängningselement (14), företrädesvis en avtappnings- eller avstängningsventil.
- 9Anordning enligt kravet 8, kännetecknad av att avstängningselementet (14) innefattar en givare för övervakning av fyllningsnivån i vattenlagringsutrymmet (8). 30
- 10Anordning enbgt något av kraven 7 till 9, kännetecknad av att absorbatom (16) innehåller en eber flera absorbenter (18, 20).
- 11Anordning enbgt kravet 10, kännetecknad av att absorbentema (18,20) innefattar ett bärmaterial av organiska och/eller oorganiska ämnen.
- 12Anordning enligt kravet 10, kännetecknad av att absorbentema utgörs av 35 polymerer, företrädesvis sådana med hög svällning, speciellt ur följande grupp:polyakrylater, polyakrylsyror, polyakrylamider, polyestrar, polysackarider och sampolymerer av dessa.
- 13Anordning enligt kravet 11, kännetecknad av att absorbentema innefattar modifierade zeoliter, kiselgeler eller kiselgurer.
- 14Anordning enligt kravet 10, kännetecknad av att absorbentema (18, 20) har förmågan att kunna absorbera kolväten från bränslet och/eller vattnet.
- 15Anordning enligt något av kraven 7 till 13, kännetecknad av att absorbentema (18,20) även innehåller hjälpämnen, företrädesvis sådana som kan binda opolära kompo5 nenter genom absorption eller adsorption, varvid hjälpämnena speciellt kan utgöras av aktivt kol.
- 16Anordning enligt något av kraven 7 till 15, kännetecknad av att den har organ med vilka det lagrade vattnet åter kan drivas ut från absorbatom.
- 17Anordning enligt kravet 16, kännetecknad av att organen bildas av ett värme10 element (22), företrädesvis ett kring absorbatom (16) lindat värmeelement (22).
- 18Anordning enligt kravet 16, kännetecknad av att organen har sådan utformning att vattnet kan drivas ut med hjälp av tryck.
- 19Anordning enligt kravet 16, kännetecknad av att en veke (28) är anordnad i absorbatom (16) och att det lagrade vattnet kan drivas ut via veken (28), företrädesvis 15 genom att en del av veken (28) skjuter in i luftinsugningssystemet (30) till en förbränningsmotor.
- 20Anordning enligt kravet 7, kännetecknad av att absorptionen är anordnad att ske genom gelbildning, varvid med vatten uppsvällt absorptionspulver företrädesvis bildar ett gelpaket, som kan tas om hand som en helhet. 20
- 21Anordning enligt något av kraven 7 till 20, kännetecknad av att absorbatom (16) har en anordning för återanvändning av det lagrade vattnet (24).
- 22Anordning enligt kravet 21, kännetecknad av att vattnet återanvänds i vindrutespolarsystemet i fordonet som drivs med bränslet.
- 23Anordning enligt kravet 21, kännetecknad av att vattnet återanvänds som 25 bränsletillsats för att minska bildningen av skadliga ämnen vid förbränningen i motom.
- 24Användning av anordningen enligt något av patentkraven 7 till 23 som lagringskomponent i motorfordon. ·· ··
Independent claims24
68 paragraphs in 6 sections, as filed
SWEDEN (ds) PATENT (13) C2 (in 525 923 (51)
International class <sup>7</sup>
F02M 37/22 (19) SE
<img file="SE525923C2_D0001.tif" />
(21)
PATENT AND REGISTRATION (45) (41) (22) (24) (62) (86) (86) (83)
Patent filed Application widely available The patent application was submitted on expiration date
Application number International filing date
Filing date for European patent application Deposit of microorganism
2005-05-24
2003-06-09
2002-11-27
2002-11-27
Patent Application Number (J203500-4
Application received as:
Swedish patent application completed international patent application with number □ converted European patent application with number (30)
2001-12-08 DE 101 60 497.1 (73) (72) (74) (54)
PATENTHAVARE Filterwerk Mann & Hummel Gmbh, 71631 Ludwigsburg THE INVENTOR Michael Harenbrock, Ludwigsburg DE Andre Rösgen, Remshalden
DE (56)
OMBUD Rennenkampff & Partner AB
NAME Procedure for storing water separated from motor fuel, device for carrying out the procedure and use of the device
CALLED PUBLICATIONS:
WO Al 0 027 500, US A 3 572 510, US A 4 861 469,
US Bl 6 170 470 (57)
SUMMARY:
The invention relates to a method for storing water separated from motor fuel and a device for carrying out the process, in particular a device in which the storage is reversible, as well as a use of the device. The water is then separated from the fuel in a fuel filter. The object of the invention is to remedy the problem that the storage space for the separated water in the fuel filter is insufficient. The object is achieved according to the invention by connecting an absorber (16) to the water storage space (8) in the fuel filter (6). The absorber is preferably reversible, so that the water can be re-expelled and possibly reused.
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The numbers in parentheses indicate the INID code.
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525 923 ·· *···
Summary
The invention relates to a method for storing water separated from motor fuel and a device for carrying out the process, in particular a device in which the storage is reversible, as well as a use of the device. The water is then separated from the fuel in a fuel filter. The object of the invention is to remedy the problem that the storage space for the separated water in the fuel filter is insufficient. The object is achieved according to the invention by connecting an absorber (16) to the water storage space (8) in the fuel filter (6). The absorber is preferably reversible, so that the water can be re-expelled and possibly reused.
(Figure 1)
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525 923 ι
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Description
The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 for storing water separated from motor fuel and a device for carrying out the process, in particular a device in which the storage is reversible, as well as a use of the device.
Engine fuel provides, through its combustion in engines, the energy needed to propel a motor vehicle, for example. A decisive factor for maximum energy exchange of the combustion, and thus to minimize the fuel consumption, is a precise timing and flow of the fuel in the combustion space by direct or indirect injection, possibly with a pre-connected device producing a fuel-air mixture. More recently, the development has led to injection systems (for example, common rail, pump nozzle, etc.) that provide such an accurate dosage. The fuel is then constantly supplied under high pressure and with high temperature.
Furthermore, the dimensions of the fuel dosing components, such as nozzles, etc., are constantly decreasing, which means that these components must be effectively protected against clogging, including clogging caused by small particles. This function is performed by the fuel filter. This removes particles, which can, for example, derive from manufacturing contaminants in the fuel and the fuel-conducting parts, from external sources or from wear, especially on metal parts, for example pumps.
In addition to particles, the presence of water in the fuel can also adversely affect the fuel-conducting parts. Possible causes here are, for example, corrosion, deterioration of the lubrication effect of the fuel, etc. The limit value for water dissolved in motor fuel is currently at 200 ppm, but this value can in practice be considerably exceeded. The reason here may be, for example, condensation of water in the tank at large temperature differences between day and night, very high humidity or the refueling itself.
The water may be physically dissolved or emulsified. In addition, the solubility of the water in the fuel increases if the fuel is mixed with alcohol or other oxygen-containing components, which, for example, is found in America. Thus, in addition to being able to collect solid particles, a modern fuel filter must be able to effectively separate the water contained in the fuel.
This is achieved today with modern filter materials. The water is usually collected in a volume arranged in the filter and drained by means of a tapping screw when the maximum filling level is reached. However, since this water may contain residual fuel, it is not acceptable to choose the easy way to release the mixture into the environment, but methods are needed to separate the water-fuel mixture.
The mixture can be separated using the different polarity of the liquids, preferably by absorbing the water in a carrier material. Such a carrier material can be formed of both organic and inorganic substances and compounds. A preferred method is to use polymers, for example polyacrylates, polyacrylic acids, polyacrylamides, polyesters, polysaccharides and copolymers thereof, which have very good water storage capacity (for example, over 100 g of water per gram of polymer for polyacrylates) due to high swelling propensity. This property is used, for example, in diapers and incontinence products 5225923 ter. For example, the products can be purchased commercially under the brand name HySorb (BASF).
Another advantage is that the storage is reversible. Thus, the absorbed water can be driven out again with, for example, a temperature or pressure rise. By allowing the nonpolar fuel to remain on the polymer, the result is a separation.
By way of example, DE-A-19 605 431 discloses a filter for absorbing water from engine fuel, where the polymer is included in a composite filter arranged in the filter housing.
A disadvantage of this design is that the space available for storing the water becomes far too small to accommodate the actual quantities of water, for example in a truck. Another disadvantage is that the absorber in a fuel filter must be replaced before it can possibly be reset.
By WO 00/27500 it is previously known to provide a separate filter which is supplied to the separated water from a fuel filter and absorbs the water. However, the filter material in the separate filter must be changed once it reaches its absorption limit.
The object of the invention is in this context to provide a method and a device for storing water separated from engine fuel so that the problems described in the prior art are avoided. Specifically, the object is to designate a device which allows easy removal of the separated water from the device.
The main object of the invention is fulfilled with the invention stated in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.
Because the water-absorbing filter is separately arranged, it can be reset without being replaced, since during resetting it can be separated from the fuel filter with, for example, a valve. As a result, the absorber becomes essentially maintenance-free.
The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing. FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a device with an absorber according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a first embodiment of the absorber according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of the absorber according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a first embodiment of the absorber according to the invention for recycling the stored water; A second embodiment of the absorber according to the invention for reuse of the stored water, Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the absorber according to the invention for reuse of the stored water and Fig. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the absorber according to the invention for reuse of the stored water.
The invention consists of a separate part, which communicates with the water storage volume of the fuel filter through a separate connection line. The detail is an absorber which may be filled with one or more absorbents. For example, the connecting conduit may consist of a flexible material, for example, ethylene / propene diene polymers (EPDM) or be rigid.
Fig. 1 shows schematically a device 2 with an absorber 16 according to the invention. In the lower part of the fuel filter 6 there is a storage space for the water, which is roughly separated from the fuel by the filter material 10. A connecting line 12 connected to the storage space 8 has in its upper, near the storage space 8, a shut-off element 14 which «!
···· • * • · ·· ···> · · · · · · · ♦ · example can be a drain or shut-off valve. The shut-off element 14 is used to control the drainage of the coarse-separated water from the storage space 8 through the connecting pipe 12,
The draining of the water from the storage space 8 can then be continuous or discontinuous. For this, drain valves and water sensors are required with the task of preventing the storage space 8 in the fuel filter 6 from becoming overcrowded.
The opposite end of the connection line 12 seen from the fuel filter is connected to a part 16 formed by an absorbent consisting of, for example, polyacrylate. The absorber is filled with one or more absorbents 18, 20 (see Fig. 2), which are capable of absorbing hydrocarbons from the fuel and / or water. The absorbents 18, 20 may be present in both fiber and particulate form (dissolved powder). Depending on the circumstances of various applications, absorbers having a particle size range of 10 to 100 µm or 100 to 1000 µm can be used. The absorbents may also contain and / or be mixed with various excipients which can bind nonpolar components by absorption or adsorption, for example activated carbon or the like. Such excipients can also be permanently connected to the absorbents by coating on them.
Water absorbers preferably consist of polymers, for example polyacrylates, polyacrylic acids, polyacrylamides, polyesters, polysaccharides and copolymers thereof, which have very good water storage capacity. The absorbents for the absorption of hydrocarbons from fuel mainly consist of activated carbon, which can be post-treated by impregnation. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that other inorganic compounds that can bind water selectively and reversibly can be used in the applications described above, for example, modified zeolites, silica gels, diatomaceous earth, etc.
Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of the absorber 16 according to the invention. It is filled with two absorbents 18.20 for hydrocarbons and water. It should be noted here that the order of the absorbents is immaterial to the practice of the invention.
Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the absorber according to the invention in which the absorber 16 is filled with a single absorbent 20 for absorbing water.
The water purified from hydrocarbons in some cases can be released again by heating or by applying pressure using commonly known means.
An example (Fig. 4) consists in using a heating element 22, for example a heating coil, which is wound around the absorber 16 and switched on when the absorbent has reached its capacity limit, so that the stored water is evaporated. During evaporation, the drain valve or shut-off element is closed.
Through an opening, the water can be released as steam to the surroundings, dropped by or through a second connection line 24, for example, to the vehicle windscreen washer or used as fuel additive to lower the amount of harmful substances formed during combustion in the engine by lowering the combustion temperature.
Fig. 5 shows a variant of the device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the stored water is squeezed out by applying pressure through a pressure line 26.
• · • · · • ··· • ·
923
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Absorption takes place during gel formation when absorbent powder is transferred in gel form by the absorbed water. The compact gel package 4 (Fig. 6), ie. the water-swollen absorber can be removed and taken care of.
Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the absorber according to the invention with return of the stored water. In the absorber 16 is a wick 28, the upper half of which projects into the air stream (see the arrow in Fig. 7) in the combustion engine's intake system. Thanks to the capillary action of the wick's material (for example, nonwovens, microfibers) the liquid rises upwards in the wick. From the surface of the wick the water in the air stream evaporates.
The normal evaporation of liquid from a wick is 5 g / h at a wick of about 10 300 mm<sup>2</sup> surface. The amount of water normally collected from, for example, a diesel filter is in the range of 2 to 30 ml per 100 km.
The amounts of fluid returned to the engine in this way are negligible compared to the normally input quantities of fluid. The hydrocarbons that accompany the water are burned together with the other hydrocarbons in the engine and do not strain the environment.
923
P ans 0203500-4 ύ z. Ö
Contents6
7 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7
8 members in 4 offices
Priority claims4
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10160497 | Germany | A | |
| 10160497 | Germany | A | |
| 10160497 | – | – | – |
| DE2001160497 | – | – | – |
Members8
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE0203500D0 | Sweden | D0 | |
| SE0203500L | Sweden | L | |
| DE10160497A1 | Germany | A1 | |
| FR2833313A1 | France | A1 | |
| US2003121860A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US6893571B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| SE525923C2This record | Sweden | C2 | |
| FR2833313B1 | France | B1 |
1 legal event, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Events
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Patent has lapsedLapsedNUG | NUG |
Numbers
- Publication, DOCDB
- 525923
- Publication, EPODOC
- SE525923
- Application
- 203500
- Application, DOCDB
- 0203500
- Application, EPODOC
- SE20020003500
Titles2
- Swedish
- Förfarande för lagring av från motorbränsle avskilt vatten, anordning för genomförande av förfarandet och användning av anordningen
- English
- Process for storing water separated from motor fuel, device for carrying out the process and use of the device
Classification
- CPC, 8
- F02M25/0222
- B01D36/003
- F02M25/0227
- F02M25/028
- F02M37/26
- F02M37/30
- F02M37/32
- Y02T10/12
- IPC, 6
- B01D15 00
- B01D36 00
- C02F1 28
- F02M37 26
- F02M37 30
- F02M37 32
