VEHICLE AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM

Abstract

A vehicle air supply system, in particular in automotive vehicles. The essence of the air supply system according to the vehicle air supply system is that inside the system there is a photocatalyst between at least one air intake (1,2) and at least one supply port (5). The photocatalyst may be deposited on inner surfaces of at least one element selected from the group including vehicle's ventilation/air conditioning system (3), inlet ducts (4), supply ports (5), dampers (7) and filters (9). Preferably, the photocatalyst is given in the form of a bypass (6) or an insert (10) or an adapter (8).

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A vehicle air supply system comprising inlet ducts, filters, dampers, outlet ports, a light source and a photocatalyst between at least one air intake and at least one supply port inside the system wherein the photocatalyst is located on a bypass (6) tied in at least one element selected from the group including the vehicle's ventilation/air conditioning system (3), the inlet ducts (4), the supply ports (5), the dampers (7) and the filters (9), whereas the bypass (6) is equipped with means of disturbing a flow of air stream, said means create a network of ducts formed by a system of ribs and/or plates (11, 12) such that the time of exposure of the air stream to the photocatalyst is extended allowing for better mixing of the polluted air and time required for a photocatalytic process to reduce toxins.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein inside the bypass (6) an insert (10) is placed.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein the photocatalyst is deposited on inner surfaces of at least one element selected from the group including vehicle's ventilation/air conditioning system (3), inlet ducts (4), supply ports (5), dampers (7) and filters (9).

20. A system according to claim 17, wherein the photocatalyst is deposited on the bypass's inserts (10) made as ceramic, metal, glass or plastic inserts.

21. A system according to claim 17, wherein the bypass (6) is fitted with an optical system, which focuses or disperses lightning on the device's surface.

22. A system according to claim 17, wherein the photocatalyst is given in the form of a layer of metal oxide nanopowder and the combination, selected from the group of CuO, Co.sub.3O.sub.4, CoO.sub.x, NiO, MnO.sub.x, MnO.sub.2, MoO.sub.3, ZnO, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, WO.sub.3, TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, CeO.sub.2, V.sub.2O.sub.5, ZrO.sub.2, HfO.sub.2, Dy.sub.2O.sub.3, Cr.sub.2O.sub.3, Nb.sub.2O.sub.5; alternatively, with an additive of noble metal nanopowder selected from the group of Pt, Pd and Rh.

23. A system according to claim 17, characterised in that the photocatalyst is given in the form of a layer of lithium niobate (LiNbO.sub.3) nanopowder.

24. A system according to claim 17, wherein the light source which illuminates the surface with the deposited photocatalyst is given in the form of an ultraviolet light in the form of LEDs or a LED lamp, fibre-optic cable, a cathodic light, an ultraviolet laser or their combination.

25. A system according to claim 17, wherein the bypass (6) has surface-mount (SMD) LEDs, with the wavelength λ in the range from 240 nm to 415 nm and the Gaussian distribution of radiation, with the reactor equipped with a transparent optical collimator system featuring an illumination angle of 130°, mounted inside and/or outside the reactor.

26. A system according to claim 17, wherein the bypass (6) houses LEDs mounted in the through-hole technology, with the wavelength λ in the range from 240 nm to 415 nm, with the reactor equipped with an integrated transparent optical system featuring an illumination angle of 30°, mounted inside and/or outside the reactor.

27. A system according to claim 17, wherein the temperature of catalyst activation ranges from 120° C. to 500° C.

28. A system according to claim 17, wherein the system is equipped with an automatic system controlling the airflow between the system's inputs and outputs.

29. A system according to claim 17, wherein the system is fitted with the dampers (7) for controlling the airflow between the system and the bypass (6).

Description

[0027] The subject of the invention in the example of embodiment is disclosed in the drawing, wherein

[0028] FIG. 1 is the vehicle air supply system with a photocatalyst deposited on inner surfaces of supply ports and ducts which supply air to the vehicle compartment,

[0029] FIG. 2—the vehicle air supply system with a bypass covered with the photocatalyst,

[0030] FIG. 3—the vehicle air supply system equipped with an additional adapter covered with the photocatalyst,

[0031] FIG. 4—the vehicle air supply system equipped with filters covered with the photocatalyst,

[0032] FIG. 5—the vehicle air supply system with photocatalyst-covered dampers which control the airflow,

[0033] FIG. 6—the vehicle air supply system equipped with photocatalyst-covered inserts,

[0034] FIG. 7—the vehicle air supply system equipped with ducts controlling and disturbing the airflow.

EMBODIMENT 1

[0035] The vehicle air supply system has air intake 1 and recirculation air intake 2, connected by means of ventilation/air conditioning system 3 by inlet ducts 4 with supply ports 5. There is the photocatalyst between air intake 1, 2 and supply ports 5, the photocatalyst being presented in every embodiment as a light source, such as an ultraviolet light in the form of LEDs or a LED lamp, a fibre-optic cable, a cathodic light, an ultraviolet laser or their combinations.

EMBODIMENT 2

[0036] The vehicle air supply system has air intake 1 and recirculation air intake 2, connected by means of ventilation/air conditioning system 3 by inlet ducts 4 with supply ports 5. Bypass 6, which is covered with the photocatalyst, is located downstream of ventilation/air conditioning system 3 in the supply duct 4.

EMBODIMENT 3

[0037] The vehicle air supply system has air intake 1 and recirculation air intake 2, connected by means of ventilation/air conditioning system 3 by inlet ducts 4 with supply ports 5. Additional adapter 8, which is covered with the photocatalyst, is located downstream of the ventilation/air conditioning system 3 in the supply duct 4.

EMBODIMENT 4

[0038] The system presented in embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the reactor constitutes bypass 6 or adapter 8, equipped with a network of disturbing ducts 11 and control ducts 12 of the airflow, created by the system of airflow disturbing elements, i.e. a system of ribs or systems of plates. Additionally, the reactor has inserts 10 with the deposited photocatalyst, made as ceramic, metal, glass or plastic inserts. Alternatively, the reactor is fitted with an optical system, which focuses or disperses lightning on the device's surfaces.

[0039] In one of practical embodiments, the inside of the reactor accommodates LEDs in the SMD mount technology, with the wavelength λ in the range from 240 nm to 415 nm and the Gaussian distribution of radiation, with the reactor being equipped with a transparent optical collimator system featuring an illumination angle of 130°.

[0040] In another embodiment of the invention, the reactor houses LEDs in the through-hole technology, featuring the wavelength λ in the range from 240 nm to 415 nm, with the reactor being equipped with an integrated transparent optical system featuring an illumination angle of 30°.

EMBODIMENT 5

[0041] The vehicle air supply system has air intake 1 and recirculation air intake 2, connected by means of ventilation/air conditioning system 3 by inlet ducts 4 with supply ports 5. Filters 9 covered with the photocatalyst are mounted downstream of ventilation/air conditioning system 3 in inlet duct 4, and therefore the current function of the filters has been supplemented with a new function which consists in photocatalysis-based air purification.

EMBODIMENT 6

[0042] The vehicle air supply system has air intake 1 and recirculation air intake 2, connected by means of ventilation/air conditioning system 3 by inlet ducts 4 with supply ports 5. There are dampers 7 controlling the airflow, the same being covered with the photocatalyst, in inlet ducts 4.

EMBODIMENT 7

[0043] The vehicle air supply system has air intake 1 and recirculation air intake 2, connected by means of ventilation/air conditioning system 3 by inlet ducts 4 with supply ports 5. Photocatalyst-covered inserts 10 are mounted in inlet ducts 4.

EMBODIMENT 8

[0044] The vehicle air supply system as in embodiments one to six, with the difference being that the photocatalyst is given in the form of titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) nanopowder.

EMBODIMENT 9

[0045] The vehicle air supply system made as in embodiments one to six, with the difference being that the photocatalyst is given in the form of lithium niobate (LiNbO.sub.3) nanopowder.

[0046] The catalyst or photocatalyst layer can comprise oxides of metals which are active during CO combustion and organic volatiles; such oxides include CuO, Co.sub.3O.sub.4, CoO.sub.x, NiO, MnO.sub.x, MnO.sub.2, MoO.sub.3, ZnO, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, WO.sub.3, CeO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, V.sub.2O.sub.5, ZrO.sub.2, HfO.sub.2, Dy.sub.2O.sub.3, Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 and Nb.sub.2O.sub.5. Also, for the purpose of the catalysts, single oxides of transition metals as well as mixed oxides can be used. The catalysts with oxides of transition metals are effective in both complete and selective oxidisation of organic volatiles. Their catalytic properties are particularly associated with the type of oxygen involved in the oxidisation process.

[0047] Catalytic oxidisation of organic volatiles on catalysts with noble metals is susceptible to their structure. The effect of Pt particle size on catalytic oxidisation of various hydrocarbons has been studied thoroughly; generally, larger Pt particles are more active. A smaller impact on catalytic effectiveness of Pt catalysts is exerted by factors such as the type of carrier (aluminium oxide or silica), porosity and acid-base properties of the carrier. Addition of Co.sub.3O.sub.4, CeO.sub.2, La.sup.3+/Bi.sup.3+ promoters added to CeO.sub.2—ZrO.sub.2 results in an increase of activity and thermal stability of Pt and Pd catalysts based on aluminium oxide as used for emission reduction of organic volatiles.

[0048] Noble metal-based catalysts, such as Pt and Pd, show a good effect at low temperatures in complete oxidisation of organic volatiles. The application of such catalysts to control organic volatiles in the industry is limited due to the catalysts' cost and sensitivity to poisoning, in particular chlorine and chlorine derivatives. Cerium oxide prepared by the means of combustion, precipitation or thermal decomposition is very active while combusting organic volatiles, due to its ability of oxygen accumulation. Oxidisation of organic volatiles to CeO.sub.2 is an example of the process based on the Redox mechanism, in which the supply of oxygen from easily reducible oxide and its re-oxidisation by oxygen is the key stage. The modification of CeO.sub.2 with other metal oxides, e.g. by partial replacement of Ce.sup.4+ by Ze.sup.4+ ions in the lattice network (mixed Ce—Zr oxides), may improve the catalyst's oxygen capacity and thermal resistance as well as increase catalytic activity at low temperatures. An advantage of manganese-based catalysts is the high activity relating to all oxidisation reactions, low cost and low toxicity. Catalysts featuring the perovskite structure demonstrate easiness with changes of Redox properties. The multi-valent nature of MnOx is the reason for which such oxides are a promising candidate in the catalytic oxidisation of organic volatiles, and similarly to the case of cerium oxide, their effectiveness is aided by the additive of other transition metal oxides, such as Ce, Zr and Cu; in some cases, the activity is comparable to, or better than that with catalysts based on noble metals. Very good catalytic qualities are also shown by perovskite structures with the general formula of ABO.sub.3, where: A is the rare-earth element, B is the transition metal, due to the activity being comparable to that in catalysts with noble metals in oxidisation reactions, but with the cost of synthesis being considerably lower. The most effective structures of these type include perovskites containing cobalt and manganese, irrespective of rare-earth elements.

[0049] Catalytic activity depends on the type of noble metal and changes with respect to the nature of organic volatiles: alkanes, alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons. Pt and Pd on aluminium oxides are highly active when oxidising benzene and butanol; however, it is more difficult to oxidise ethyl acetate, wherein Pd acts better compared with Pt. Results of the research on oxidisation of benzene, toluene and 1-hexene (single and mixtures with isooctane and CO) using Pt, Pd and Rh/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 catalysts deposited on cardierite monoliths have shown that each of the catalysts demonstrates a different activity depending on whether oxidisation applies to a mixture of hydrocarbons or each component individually. Metals show another sequence of activity with reference to single reactions under conditions of excessive oxygen. The greatest difference is shown by Rh, which is the most active one during oxidisation of hexane and the least active one while oxidising aromatic hydrocarbons. Pt is the most effective one while oxidising benzene, and Pd—toluene. The presence of CO in the mixture considerably inhibits reactions to Pt, to a lower extent to Pd, slightly simulating a process of Rh catalysis, with the sequence of catalyst activity in the presence of CO being Rh>Pd>Pt. Various activity trends of the studied noble metals are explained by forces of adsorption-desorption processes of reagents on the surface of these metals. The use of noble metals, in particular Pt and Pd dispersed in the form of powders on a well-developed γ-Al.sub.2O.sub.3 surface, or in the form of layers on monolithic carriers, is favourable due to the better activity, resistance to deactivation and ability to regenerate. Generally, even though Pd is more effective while oxidising ethyl acetate and toluene, Pt is preferable.