How Does It Work?

Flow Through Exhaust Filter

The flow-thru filter is easily attached to the tailpipe of the vehicle. The filter matrix is treated with a basic chemical compound. The vehicle exhaust is then diverted into the carbon-capture filter, which traps CO₂ in a flow-by chemical reaction. The filter matrix acts as a carbon sink, capturing harmful CO₂. Once the filter is saturated with carbon, it can be easily removed from the device and exchanged for a new filter or rinsed and recharged with base material for reuse.

The captured CO₂ from the saturated filter is water-soluble and can then be safely converted into a useful industrial solid. The process provides a safe method of carbon storage.

The CO₂ filter is positioned within the stainless steel housing to absorb the engine CO₂ waste content by impulse collisions within the filter media. The impulse is equal to the change in momentum at points along the length of the filter. The impulse advantage is the product of the force of exhaust acting on the filter at impact points and the time the action takes place. The flow-by reaction in effect is a mild alkaline pH reacting with dilute acidic CO₂ in the exhaust. Eventually the base solution becomes acidic when the filter is saturated with CO₂.

Every gallon of gasoline burned in a car's engine produces CO₂ and about 14% by volume is in the exhaust. Thirty to fifty percent of CO₂ in the exhaust may be captured by a mix of potassium hydroxide and water dispersed within the ceramic wool support of a CO₂ filter.

The captured CO₂ changes the base media (pH 10) chemically into a mildly acidic composition - about the pH of a blueberry. The filter is then removed experiencing surface saturation and is rinsed in a tank of water.

The CO₂ dissolves in the water, and calcium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide is added. The result is immediate. Calcium carbonate or potassium carbonate forms in the water due to the abundance of dissolved CO₂ from the filter.

Vehicle filters are made to trap CO₂ from tailpipe exhaust before it's released to the atmosphere. We do this by offering a soap-like chemical of opposite polarity, potassium (K)(+). In this case, the CO₂ (-) sticks to the potassium (+) with a little help from water (H2O).

Gasoline + air burns to create energy to move the car. Leftover waste including CO₂ goes into the air we breathe. We try to catch CO₂ and, as much as possible, before it goes out of the tailpipe. We use a filter material mixed with potassium hydroxide (KOH).

The exhaust CO₂ + H2O meets KOH in a flow-by reaction. Immediately a molecule is formed that becomes a soluble, slightly negative, potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) ion. The CO₂ is now captured and stays that way until the filter is removed and rinsed in a tank of water.

The CO₂ collected in the KHCO3 will dissolve in water. To safely store the captured CO₂, a small amount of additional KOH is sprinkled into the water. This action creates a chemical reaction with the dissolved CO₂ to make potassium carbonate (K2CO3), which turns the water milky white. The tiny white particles are now solid, potassium carbonate and settle to the bottom of the tank in a thick paste. The harmful greenhouse gas, CO₂ is sequestered in carbonate.

Two-cycle engines are another example. These little motors are very smoky and often prevalent on motorized rickshaws in the streets of India. A pretreatment is required for this exhaust as well. Exhaust particles (smoke), are controllable. Then, a zone for CO₂ capture follows as in the foregoing.

For best capture efficiency, high surface area is needed to expose the base support material to the exhaust flow. Exhaust flow is not restricted.

Expect around 14% of the total volume flow to be CO₂ (measured by non-dispersive infrared, a common method). Expect to capture some of the CO₂. This a flow-by surface reaction that saturates.

The filter support material is reticulated. The high surface area's pH value is lowered as saturation builds and rinse is required often. Save the water. Add calcium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to precipitate carbonate. Re-charge the filter with KOH.

Expect to capture 7% or about one half of the total 14% CO₂ by volume coming out of the pipe at idle speed. Expect the collection value to be less - about 4% - at 2500 and 3500 RPMs.