US 5,400,593 AGranted

Device for reducing discharge of noxious substances emitted from an internal combustion engine

OwnerAbraham P. Gelbein, Richard S. Wellensinventors

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Abstract

An apparatus and method suitable in controlling a level of noxious fumes and visible smoke discharging from diesel engine exhaust gases. In a purification mode, a stream of relatively dirty exhaust gases and discharged cooling liquid from the engine are mixed together; liquid entrained in the mixture and particulate matter in the mixture are then removed and noxious substances in the resulting exhaust gases are adsorbed. In a regeneration mode, the exhaust gas is relatively clean so that streams are kept apart to avoid mixing so that the exhaust gases can adsorb the previously adsorbed noxious substances. The purification mode arises when the marine diesel engine is running at slow speed and combustion takes place inefficiently. The regeneration mode arises when the marine engine is running at high speed and combustion takes place efficiently or else noxious substances have been adsorbed substantially to capacity.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An apparatus for reducing a discharge of noxious substances emitted from an internal combustion engine, which comprises:

a. inlet means for receiving a hot exhaust gas and cooling liquid;
b. flow control means for directing said hot exhaust gas and cooling liquid to a mixing zone when said apparatus operates in a purification mode and for separating at least a portion of said hot exhaust gas from said cooling liquid when said apparatus operates in a regeneration mode;
c. a mixing zone;
d. a separation zone;
e. a purification zone adapted to contain an adsorbent material which is capable of adsorbing the noxious substances when the apparatus is in the purification mode and of releasing the noxious substances when the apparatus is in the regeneration mode;
f. a liquid receiving zone;
and
g. an outlet zone;
wherein, when the apparatus is in the purification mode:
the mixing zone is adapted to turbulently admix the exhaust gas and the cooling liquid received from the flow control means so as to cool the exhaust gas;
the separation zone is adapted to receive the admixture from said mixing zone and to separate the liquid from said cooled exhaust gas;
the liquid receiving zone is adapted to receive liquid from said separation zone;
the purification zone is adapted to receive the cooled and separated exhaust gas from the separation zone;
and
wherein, when the apparatus is in the regeneration mode:
the purification zone is adapted to receive the separated exhaust gas from said flow control means;
and
wherein said outlet means is adapted to receive the effluents from said purification zone and said liquid receiving zone for discharge from said apparatus.

15 more elements

An apparatus for reducing a discharge of noxious substances emitted from an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising:

sensor means for determining a purification or a regeneration mode of flow through said apparatus;
an inlet for receiving hot exhaust gas and cooling liquid from said engine;
a mixing chamber contiguous to said inlet means;
flow control means between said inlet and said mixing chamber responsive to said sensor means for allowing the cooling liquid and the hot exhaust gas to enter said mixing chamber when said purification mode is selected and for diverting said cooling liquid from said mixing chamber when said regeneration mode is selected;
means within said mixing chamber for turbulently mixing together said hot exhaust gas and said cooling liquid so as to cool and scrub the hot exhaust gas;
separation means for removing the liquid and particulate matter from said cooled exhaust gas;
and
adsorbent means for receiving the cooled exhaust gas and for adsorbing noxious substances present therein when said purification mode is selected and for receiving the hot exhaust gas when the regeneration mode is selected, said gas serving to desorb the noxious substances absorbed in said absorbent means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.