Process and device for purifying polluted air

A filter system for the removal of contaminants from air to be delivered to an automotive vehicle passenger compartment, comprising, in combination with the radiator of the vehicle through which air is displaced by a fan driven by the vehicle engine:

• means forming a chemisorption filter receiving contaminated air to be filtered and partially heating said air while filtering same;
• heating means downstream of said chemisorption filter for further heating said air;
• means containing a catalyst mass traversed by the air heated by said heating means and disposed downstream of said heating means for further purifying the air;
• means downstream of said catalyst mass for cooling the air upon passage thereof through said catalyst mass, all of said means collectively forming an air purifier connected to said comparment for supplying said compartment with purified air;
• and
• a sensor located behind said radiator and contacted by the air displaced therethrough by said fan for detecting contaminant levels in the external air before it is admitted to said chemisorption filter, for controlling the on/off operation of said air purifier.