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US3683626A
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US
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Exhaust purification
Assignee: Boston Children's Hospital
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Filing: 1970-12-14
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-12-14
Abstract
Abstract Exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine at super atmospheric pressure is cooled to its dew point at that pressure then is admixed with an aqueous aerosol comprising particles of water coated with an oleophilic surfactant and having an average particle size between 0.5 and 5 microns. The resultant mixture is expanded to reduce gas pressure to nearly atmospheric and reduce the temperature thereby condensing a significant fraction of water vapor in the initial exhaust mixture on the aerosolized particles. The resulting particles, have a size which permits their removal by centrifugation or equivalent means. The method is particularly effective in removing particulate matter and hydrocarbons in exhaust and can be used alone or in conjunction with means for removing nitrogen oxides.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W Merrill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:58
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/02; F01N3/021; F01N3/04; F02; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein a substantial fraction of the recovered liquid and entrapped solid particles is recycled into an engine producing said engine exhaust gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the exhaust gas is expanded adiabatically.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the condensed aerosol particles removed from the exhaust gas are collected and heated to evaporate hydrocarbons adsorbed from said exhaust gas and the evaporated hydrocarbons are returned to an engine producing said engine exhaust gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the exhaust gas is contacted with calcium carbonate to remove nitrogen oxides in said gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for removing solid particles and hydrocarbons from engine exhaust gas which comprises in combination, means for cooling exhaust gas to substantial water saturation at superatmospheric pressure, means for forming an aerosol of water particles having an oleophilic surfactant surface, means for mixing said aerosol and cool gas, means for expanding said mixture adiabatically and means for separating particles from said gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said cooling means comprises two air-gas heat exchangers and a gas compressor wherein said hot exhaust gas passes through a first heat exchanger, the compressor and then through a second heat exchanger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for expanding the cool gas comprises a gas turbine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for separating said aerosol particles comprises a gas centrifuge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a bed of carbonate is interposed between said cooling means and said expansion means to convert nitrogen oxides in said exhaust gas to carbon dioxide and nitrates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein means are provided to collect the particles from the gas and return them to a fuel intake of an engine producing said engine exhaust gas.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |