US 5,174,902 A · Method for removing cations and anions from an engine coolant liquid

Abstract

An apparatus and method for removing particulates, hydrcarbons (such as oil), cations and anions including nitrite ions from a liquid, such as an engine coolant liquid having a freezing point depressant and situated in an internal combination engine cooling system. The apparatus has at least one filter for removing particulates and hydrocarbons; a strong acid cation exchange bed in the hydrogen form for removing cations; a strong base anion exchange bed in the hydroxide form for removing anions; and separator for separating gas containing nitrogen, such as nitric oxide and/or nitrogen dioxide, that is produced in the cation exchange bed and/or the anion exchange bed. The method for removing particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions and nitrite ions from an engine coolant liquid having a freezing point depressant comprises providing an engine coolant liquid having particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions and nitrite ions; passing the engine coolant liquid through a zone for filtering wherein particulates and hydrocarbons are removed from the engine coolant liquid; and passing the engine coolant liquid through a strong acid cation exchanger bed in the hydrogen form wherein cations are removed from the engine coolant liquid and nitrite ions are converted into nitric oxide and/or nitrogen dioxide. The method further comprises passing the engine coolant liquid through a strong base anion exchanger bed in the hydroxide form wherein anions are removed from the engine coolant liquid; and subsequently separating the nitric oxide and/or nitrogen dioxide from the engine coolant liquid to produce an engine coolant liquid having the freezing point depressant.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims52

Dependent claims

A method for removing ions from a liquid comprising the steps of:

(a) passing a liquid having ions, including nitrite ions, through a cation exchanger bed wherein at least part of the ions are removed and at least part of the nitrite ions is converted into nitrogen containing compounds selected from the group consisting of nitrous acid, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mixtures thereof, to produce a liquid with at least part of the ions removed and having nitrogen containing compounds;
and
(b) removing at least part of the nitrogen containing compounds selected from the group consisting of nitrous acid, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mixtures thereof, by passing the produced liquid of step (a) through a means for removing nitrogen containing compounds to produce a liquid with at least part of the ions removed and with at least part of the nitrogen containing compounds removed.

A method for removing particulates, cations, anions and nitrogen containing compounds from an engine coolant liquid comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an engine coolant having particulates, cations, anions and nitrite ions;
(b) passing the engine coolant liquid of step (a) through a means for filtering wherein at least part of the particulates are removed from the engine coolant liquid to produce an engine coolant liquid comprising cations, anions and nitrite ions;
(c) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (b) through a cation exchanger bed wherein at least part of the cations is removed and at least part of the nitrite ions is converted into nitrogen containing compounds selected from the group consisting of nitrous acid, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mixtures thereof, to produce an engine coolant liquid containing anions and nitrogen containing compounds;
(d) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (c) through an anion-exchanger bed wherein at least part of the anions is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid containing nitrogen containing compounds selected from the group consisting of nitrous acid, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mixtures thereof;
and
(e) removing at least part of the nitrogen containing compounds selected from the group consisting of nitrous acid, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mixtures thereof, by passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (d) through a means for separating wherein at least part of the nitrogen containing compounds is removed from the engine coolant liquid.

3 more elements

A method for removing particulates, cations, anions, and nitrogen containing compounds from an engine coolant liquid comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an engine coolant having particulates, cations, anions and nitrite ions;
(b) passing the engine coolant liquid of step (a) through a means for filtering wherein at least part of the particulates are removed from the engine coolant liquid to produce an engine coolant liquid comprising cations, anions and nitrite ions;
(c) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (b) through a strong acid cation exchanger bed in the hydrogen form wherein at least part of the cations is removed and at least part of the nitrite ions is converted into nitrous acid;
(d) passing the produced engine coolant liquid from the strong acid cation exchanger bed through a strong base anion-exchanger bed in the hydroxide form wherein at least part of the anions is removed, said nitrous acid produced in the strong cation exchanger bed decomposes into nitric oxide which combines with oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide such that said strong base anion exchanger bed produces an engine coolant liquid containing nitrogen dioxide;
and
(e) removing at least part of the nitrogen dioxide from the produced engine coolant liquid by passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (d) through a means for separating wherein at least part of the nitrogen dioxide is removed from the engine coolant liquid.

3 more elements

A method for removing cations and anions from an engine coolant liquid having a freezing point depressant and situated in a cooling system of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:

(a) removing an engine coolant liquid having cations, anions, particulates, hydrocarbons, and a freezing point depressant and situated in an internal combustion engine, from a cooling system of said internal combustion engine to the exterior of said internal combustion engine;
(b) passing the engine coolant liquid through a first mechanical filter for filtering and removing part of the particulates, leaving residual particulates in the engine coolant liquid;
(c) passing the engine coolant liquid having the residual particulates through a means for pumping wherein the engine coolant liquid is pumped;
(d) passing the pumped engine coolant liquid through a chemical filter wherein at least part of the hydrocarbons is removed;
(e) passing the engine coolant liquid having at least part of the hydrocarbons removed through a second mechanical filter for filtering and removing at least part of the residual particulates to produce engine coolant liquid having cations, anions, and the freezing point depressant;
(f) passing the engine coolant liquid, having the cations and the anions and the freezing point depressant, through a cation-exchanger bed wherein at least part of the cations are removed from the engine coolant liquid;
(g) passing the engine coolant liquid, having at least part of the cations removed and having the anions and the freezing point depressant, through an anion-exchanger bed wherein at least part of the anions are removed from the engine coolant liquid;
and
(h) returning the engine coolant liquid to the cooling system of the internal combustion engine, wherein said returning engine coolant liquid has at least part of the cations and anions removed and has the freezing point depressant.

6 more elements

A method for removing particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions and nitrite ions from an engine coolant liquid having a freezing point depressant comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an engine coolant having particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions and nitrite ions, and a freezing point depressant;
(b) passing the engine coolant liquid of step (a) through a first mechanical filtering means for filtering and wherein part of the particulates are removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having residual particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions, nitrite ions, and the freezing point depressant;
(c) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (b) through a means for pumping wherein the produced engine coolant liquid of step (b) is pumped towards a chemical filtering means for filtering and wherein at least part of the hydrocarbons is to be removed;
(d) passing the pumped engine coolant liquid of step (c) through a chemical filtering means for filtering and wherein at least part of the hydrocarbons is removed to produced an engine coolant liquid having residual particulates, cations, anions, nitrite ions and the freezing point depressant;
(e) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (c) through a second mechanical filtering means for filtering and wherein at least part of the residual particulates is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having cations, anions, nitrite ions, and the freezing point depressant;
(f) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (e) through a strong acid cation exchange bed in the hydrogen form wherein at least part of the cations is removed and at least part of the nitrite ions is converted into a gas containing nitrogen and selected from the group consisting of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mixtures thereof, to produce an engine coolant liquid having anions, the gas containing nitrogen, and the freezing point depressant;
(g) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (f) through a strong base anion exchange bed in the hydroxide form wherein at least part of the anions is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having the gas containing nitrogen and the freezing point depressant;
and
(h) removing at least art of the gas containing nitrogen by passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (g) through a bed of activated particulate carbon wherein at least part of the gas containing nitrogen is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having the freezing point depressant.

6 more elements

A method for removing particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions and nitrite ions from an engine coolant liquid having a freezing point depressant comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an engine coolant liquid having particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions and nitrite ions, and a freezing point depressant;
(b) passing the engine coolant liquid of step (a) through a means for pumping wherein the engine coolant liquid of step (a) is pumped towards a first mechanical filtering means for filtering;
(c) passing the engine coolant liquid of step (b) through a first mechanical filtering means for filtering and wherein part of the particulates are removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having residual particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions, nitrite ions, and the freezing point depressant;
(d) passing the engine coolant liquid of step (c) through a chemical filtering means for filtering and wherein at least part of the hydrocarbons is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having residual particulates, cations, anions, nitrite ions and the freezing point depressant;
(e) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (d) through a second mechanical filtering means for filtering and wherein at least part of the residual particulates is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having cations, anions, nitrite ions, and the freezing point depressant;
(f) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (e) through a strong acid cation exchange bed in the hydrogen form wherein at least part of the cations is removed and at least part of the nitrite ions is converted into a gas containing nitrogen and selected from the group consisting of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mixtures thereof, to produce an engine coolant liquid having anions, the gas containing nitrogen, and the freezing point depressant;
(g) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (f) through a strong base anion exchange bed in the hydroxide form wherein at least part of the anions is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having the gas containing nitrogen and the freezing point depressant;
and
(h) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (g) through a bed of activated particulate carbon wherein at least part of the gas containing nitrogen is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having the freezing point depressant.

6 more elements

A method for removing particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions and nitrite ions from an engine coolant liquid comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an engine coolant liquid having particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions and nitrite ions;
(b) passing the provided engine coolant liquid of step (a) through a means for pumping wherein the provided engine coolant liquid of step (a) is pumped towards a first mechanical filtering means for filtering;
(c) passing the engine coolant liquid of step (b) through a first mechanical filtering means for filtering and wherein part of the particulates are removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having residual particulates, hydrocarbons, cations, anions, nitrite ions;
(d) passing the engine coolant liquid of step (c) through a chemical filtering means for filtering and wherein at least part of the hydrocarbons is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having residual particulates, cations, anions, and nitrite ions;
(e) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (d) through a second mechanical filtering means for filtering and wherein at least part of the residual particulates is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having cations, anions, and nitrite ions;
(f) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (e) through a strong acid cation exchange bed in the hydrogen form wherein at least part of the cations is removed and at least part of the nitrite ions is converted into a gas containing nitrogen and selected from the group consisting of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mixtures thereof, to produce an engine coolant liquid having anions, the gas containing nitrogen;
(g) passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (f) through a strong base anion exchange bed in the hydroxide form wherein at least part of the anions is removed to produce an engine coolant liquid having the gas containing nitrogen;
(h) removing at least part of the gas containing nitrogen and selected from the group consisting of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mixtures thereof by passing the produced engine coolant liquid of step (g) through a bed of activated particulate carbon wherein at least part of the gas containing nitrogen is removed.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description17,765 words

Summary2,834 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention is related to an apparatus and method for removing particulates, ions and impurities from an engine coolant liquid. More specifically, this invention provides for an apparatus and method for removing particulates, impurities, and cations and anions from an engine coolant liquid having a freezing point depressant and situated in an internal combustion engine cooling system.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings23 figures

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cabinet containing the apparatus of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the cabinet in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the cabinet in FIG. 1;

Detailed description14,400 words

#Referring in detail now to the drawings wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numerals there is seen an apparatus, generally illustrated as 10, which is for removing cations, anions, hydrocarbons (e.g., oils) and particulate solids from a liquid, preferably an engine coolant liquid which may or may not include a freezing point depressant such as glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.). For purposes of describing the present invention, the "liquid" will be an engine coolant liquid having a freezing point depressant and termed "engine antifreeze coolant liquid". It should be understood that the spirit and scope of the present invention is to include "any liquid" and not be limited to engine coolant liquid which may or may not include an antifreeze/freezing point depressant component. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 10 of this invention may be interposed in an engine antifreeze coolant circuit for continuously filtering particulate solids and hydrocarbons (oils) from the antifreeze coolant while also removing anions and cations therefrom, including potentially deleterious nitrite ions. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 10 may be employed alone and not in communication with an engine antifreeze coolant circuit to treat an engine coolant antifreeze liquid that has been provided in bulk (such as in drums) to remove cations, anions, hydrocarbons, and particulate solids from the engine antifreeze coolant liquid. The apparatus 10 of the present invention also possesses the capabilities of measuring and indicating the resistance and/or conductivity of the antifreeze coolant as a measure of the degree of purification of the antifreeze coolant from contaminating ions and particulates.

#The apparatus 10 has a cabinet 12 (see FIG. 1) which includes a frame 13, a rear door 14, pivotally secured to the rear of the frame 13, a pair of opposed side walls 16--16 connected to the sides of the frame 13, and a front door 18 pivotally attached to the front of the frame 13. The cabinet 12 also has a top 20 which defines a slanted face 20F, and a floor 22 upon which a rack 24 is mounted. Both the top 20 and the floor 22 connect to the frame 13 to be supported thereby. The cabinet 12 is rotatably supported by casters 24--24 and rear wheels 26--26. Each side wall 16 has an aperture 16a to provide an opening for receiving a hand such that the user of the apparatus 10 may readily move the cabinet 12 with the aid of the casters 24--24 and the wheels 26--26. The rear door 14 has an aperture 14a in the lower end thereof wherethrough a foot of a user may pass and rest upon the floor 22 to provide an additional means for readily moving the cabinet 12. When the user inserts a foot through aperture 14a and further inserts hands through the pair of apertures 16a--16a in the pair of opposed sides 16--16, the cabinet 12 may readily be moved by rolling the same on both the casters 24--24 and the rear wheels 26--26, or by rolling the same on only the two rear wheels 26--26, similar to moving a two wheel dolly. To posture the cabinet 12 such as to balance and rest upon only the two rear wheels, the user, with a foot resting on the floor 22 through the aperture 14a and with the hands grasping the pair of opposed sides 16--16 of the cabinet 12 through the apertures 16a--16a, leans or pulls the cabinet 12 rearwardly until the casters 24--24 are off the support surface and the entire weight of the apparatus 10 is balanced upon the rear wheels 26--26. In such a posture, the cabinet 12 may readily be moved by pushing or pulling until the two rear wheels 26--26 commence rolling.

#The rear door 14 and the front door 18 are respectively provided with a plurality of door apertures 14a and 18a wherethrough fasteners 28 (see FIG. 6) may be inserted to be received by female receiving ends 30 (see FIG. 5) each of which are spacedly secured along the frame 13 such as to register with door apertures 14a and 18a. When a fastener 28 is inserted through a door aperture 14a and/or 18a and through the female end 30 and turned in a predetermined direction, the rear door 14 and the front door 18 are fastened against the frame 13. When all fasteners 28 are rotated in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction and removed from within the female ends 30 and from the door apertures 14a and 18a, the rear door 14 and the front door 18 are both free to be pivotally opened to expose the remaining parts or elements of the apparatus 10 within the cabinet 12.

Facts

Application

07/485,939Filed 27 Feb 1990

Granted

29 Dec 1992

Term ended

27 Feb 2010

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification6 codes

F01P 11/06
Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01P1/00 - F01P9/00: cleaning ; Combating corrosion
B01J 39/05
Processes using organic exchangers: in the strongly acidic form
F01P 2011/065
Cleaning ; Combating corrosion: flushing
F01P 2011/068
Combating corrosion: chemically

Method for removing cations and anions from an engine coolant liquid

Life of this patent

Method for removing cations and anions from an engine coolant liquid

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims52

Description17,765 words

Drawings

Classification6 codes

Life of this patent

Description17,765 words