阅读说明：本技术 用于在机动车辆上生产软化水的吸附制冷系统、机动车辆和在机动车辆上生产软化水的方法 (Adsorption refrigeration system for producing demineralized water on a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for producing demineralized water on a motor vehicle ) 是由 E·布鲁尼奥尼 M·德切萨雷 于 2020-03-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于在机动车辆上生产软化水的吸附系统(4),包括：冷凝器(8),蒸发器(12),第一和第二吸附剂床(16,20),每个吸附床(16,20)均包含吸附材料,其中每个吸附床(16,20)可通过设有至少一个控制阀(32)的管道(28)选择性地连接到冷凝器(8)和/或蒸发器(12)。每个吸附剂床(16,20)借助于供应阀(44)可选择性地和交替地连接至加热源(36)的供应回路和冷却源(40)的供应回路,其中冷凝器(8)可通过设有相对节流阀(56)的直接分支(52)直接和选择性地连接到蒸发器(12)。有利地,所述系统(4)包括沿空气入口分支(64)布置的入口阀(60),其适于选择性地在系统(4)外部的环境空气与所述吸附剂床(16,20)之间建立流体连接,以通过由所述吸附剂床(16,20)进行的吸附现象从外部空气中捕获水,并通过该吸附现象生产水。(An adsorption system (4) for producing demineralized water on board a motor vehicle, comprising: a condenser (8), an evaporator (12), a first and a second adsorbent bed (16,20), each adsorbent bed (16,20) containing an adsorbent material, wherein each adsorbent bed (16,20) is selectively connectable to the condenser (8) and/or the evaporator (12) by a conduit (28) provided with at least one control valve (32). Each adsorbent bed (16,20) is selectively and alternately connectable to a supply circuit of a heating source (36) and a supply circuit of a cooling source (40) by means of a supply valve (44), wherein the condenser (8) is directly and selectively connectable to the evaporator (12) through a direct branch (52) provided with a relative throttle valve (56). Advantageously, the system (4) comprises an inlet valve (60) arranged along the air inlet branch (64) adapted to selectively establish a fluid connection between ambient air outside the system (4) and the adsorbent beds (16,20) to capture water from the outside air by an adsorption phenomenon performed by the adsorbent beds (16,20) and to produce water by the adsorption phenomenon.)

1. An adsorption refrigeration system (4) for producing demineralized water on board a motor vehicle, comprising:

-a condenser (8) suitable for condensing a flow of gas or water vapour;

-an evaporator (12) adapted to generate a flow of gas or water vapour;

-first and second adsorbent beds (16,20), each bed comprising an adsorbent material;

-wherein each adsorption bed (16,20) is selectively connectable to the condenser (8) and/or the evaporator (12) by means of a pipe (28) provided with at least one control valve (32);

-wherein each adsorption bed (16,20) is selectively and alternately connectable to a supply circuit of a heat source (36) and a supply circuit of a cooling source (40) by means of a supply valve (44);

-wherein the condenser (8) can be directly and selectively connected to the evaporator (12) through a direct branch (52) provided with a relative throttle (56);

the method is characterized in that:

-the system (4) comprises an inlet valve (60) arranged along the air inlet branch (64) adapted to selectively make a fluid connection between ambient air outside the system (4) and the adsorbent bed (16,20) to capture water from the outside air by an adsorption phenomenon performed by the adsorbent bed (16,20) and to generate water by this adsorption phenomenon.

2. An adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said system (4) comprises a drain valve (72), said drain valve (72) being arranged downstream of the condenser (8) so as to let out condensed water from said condenser (8).

3. Adsorption refrigeration system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that said drain valve (72) is arranged along said direct branch (52) and is adapted to allow the draining of the condensed water coming from the condenser (8) towards the evaporator (12).

4. An adsorption system (4) for the production of softened water on board a motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that said discharge valve (72) is a three-way valve which selectively allows the direct passage of liquid along the direct branch (52) and the discharge of liquid outside the system.

5. Adsorption system (4) for the production of softened water on board a motor vehicle according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that said discharge valve (72) is connected to a water collection tank (76).

6. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of said control valves (32) is a one-way valve, which is automatically driven by the pressure and/or pressure drop generated by the flow of water vapor or gas from the adsorbent bed (16, 20).

7. An adsorption system (4) for the production of softened water on board a motor vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that at least one of said control valves (32) is a valve selectively actuated by actuating means to ensure the passage/obstruction of the relative flow of water vapor or gas.

8. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said inlet valve (60) is a three-way valve able to selectively allow the passage of gas or water vapor from the evaporator (12) towards the adsorption beds (16,20) and the passage of external air towards the adsorption beds (16, 20).

9. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said air inlet branch (64) is equipped with a filter (68).

10. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said adsorption material of said adsorption beds (16,20) comprises silica gel and/or zeolite.

11. The adsorption plant (4) for the production of softened water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by comprising a control unit (80), wherein the control unit (80) is programmed to obtain the production of softened water by condensing the air on the evaporator (12) and/or by absorbing the humidity of the external air, based on the following conditions:

-a possible cooling request made by a passenger on board the vehicle;

-outdoor air temperature and/or humidity.

12. The sorption system (4) for producing demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that said control unit (80) is programmed to force the operation of said refrigeration system if the passenger requests cooling of the passenger compartment, so as to facilitate the production of condensed water in the evaporator (12).

13. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that said control unit (80) is programmed so that the production method of liquid water, in the absence of a request for cooling the passenger compartment, selects between condensation and adsorption methods, thereby ensuring a greater flow rate.

14. Adsorption system (4) for the production of softened water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said control unit (80) is programmed to obtain the production of softened water by condensing the air on the evaporator (12) and/or by absorbing the humidity of the external air, depending on whether the external temperature is higher or lower, respectively, than a threshold value.

15. Adsorption system (4) for the production of softened water on board a motor vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that said threshold temperature value is between 7 ℃ and 17 ℃.

16. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 14 to 15, characterized in that said control unit (80) is programmed so that, if the external temperature is below the threshold value, the two adsorption beds (16,20) are alternately put into adsorption and desorption operation, thus allowing the solid matrix adsorption of one adsorption bed (16,20) until saturation and the adsorption of only the time required for the complete desorption of the other adsorption bed (20, 16).

17. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that said control unit (80) is programmed so that the system (4) operates in a "closed circuit" by generating condensation on the evaporator (12) if the external temperature is higher than said threshold value, and/or when the passenger needs to cool the passenger compartment.

18. A vehicle comprising an adsorption system (4) for producing softened water according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A method of producing demineralized water on board a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

-providing a sorption system (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and/or a motor vehicle according to claim 18;

-obtaining the production of softened water by condensing the air on the evaporator (12) and/or by absorbing the humidity of the external air, based on the following conditions:

-possible cooling requests made by passengers on board the vehicle;

-outdoor air temperature and/or humidity.

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that if the passenger requests cooling of the passenger compartment, it is envisaged to force the operation of the refrigeration system so as to favour the production of condensed water in the evaporator (12).

21. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 19 to 20, characterized in that in the absence of a request for cooling the remaining passenger compartment, the production method of liquid water is selected between a condensation method and an adsorption method, whereby a greater flow rate is ensured.

22. Adsorption system (4) for the production of softened water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the production of softened water is obtained by condensing the air on the evaporator (12) and/or by absorbing the humidity of the external air, depending on whether the external temperature is above or below a threshold value, respectively.

23. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to claim 22, characterized in that said threshold temperature value is between 7 ℃ and 17 ℃.

24. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 22 to 23, characterized in that two adsorbent beds (16,20) are operated alternately for adsorption and desorption if the external temperature is below a threshold value, so that the solid matrix adsorption of one adsorbent bed (16,20) is not allowed until saturation, and only the time required for complete desorption of the other adsorbent bed (20,16) is adsorbed.

25. Adsorption system (4) for the production of demineralized water on board a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the system (4) operates in a "closed circuit" by generating condensation on the evaporator (12) if the external temperature is above said threshold value, and/or when the passenger needs to cool the passenger compartment.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an adsorption refrigeration system for producing softened water on board a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle comprising said system and a method for producing softened water on board a motor vehicle thereof.

Background

The introduction of water injection systems adapted to improve performance and reduce fuel consumption and emissions in modern internal combustion engines has resulted in the need to fill the softened water tank at a given frequency.

Water injection techniques may be of interest for all applications provided with internal combustion engines. Typically, in otto cycle engines, water is injected directly or indirectly (through an inlet tube) into the combustion chamber to mitigate the tendency for knock and to control the temperature of the exhaust gases. In a diesel-cycle engine, water can be injected into the combustion chamber in the same way, but in this case the aim is to reduce the formation of nitrogen oxides. Furthermore, in this particular type of engine, it may be necessary to inject demineralized water into the exhaust gas treatment system in the presence of a variable concentration SCR system.

All these applications therefore require a given volume of softened water on board the vehicle, which is usually contained in a dedicated tank similar to the fuel tank, having to be topped up each time.

However, the need to supply demineralized water has so far made this technique unattractive, since users are generally reluctant to undertake the task of filling demineralized water, in addition to the fuel.

Clearly, the availability of a softened water production system on board a vehicle would allow for reduced or optimal elimination of filling by end users, making water flooding techniques more attractive.

Of course, such systems or facilities should be energy efficient so as to not have a significant impact on energy consumption and to not significantly burden the overall cost of the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, there is felt in the art a need to provide a system for producing softened water on board a motor vehicle and a method for producing softened water on board a motor vehicle thereof, to achieve the above technical effects.

This need is met by a system for producing softened water on board a motor vehicle according to claim 1 and by a method for producing softened water on board a motor vehicle according to claim 19.

Further embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will become better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a general adsorption refrigeration system;

FIG. 2 is a graph showing water production by condensation after cooling of an air and water mixture at constant pressure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an adsorption cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent according to the difference in air temperature;

fig. 5 shows the adsorption rate of some adsorbent materials, and thus the amount of water adsorbed, as a function of time.

The same reference numerals will be used to designate the same elements or components as those of the embodiments described below.

Detailed Description

With reference to the preceding figures, reference numeral 4 indicates as a whole an adsorption refrigeration system on board a motor vehicle.

It is worth noting that the term "vehicle" is to be understood in a broad sense; in other words, the present invention can be easily applied to any type of vehicle.

The system 4 comprises a condenser 8 adapted to condense a gas or water vapor stream, an evaporator 12 adapted to produce a gas or water vapor stream, a first adsorbent bed 16 and a second adsorbent bed 20, each adsorbent bed comprising an adsorbent material.

The type and size of the condenser 8, evaporator 12 and adsorbent beds 16,20 may vary without limitation for the purposes of the present invention. The adsorption bed preferably comprises silica gel and/or zeolite as the adsorbent material.

Each adsorbent bed 16,20 may be selectively connected to the condenser 8 and/or evaporator 12 by a conduit or pipe 28 provided with at least one control valve 32. The control valve 32 may be of various types, both active and passive.

In particular, according to one possible embodiment, said control valve 32 is a one-way valve, which is automatically actuated by means of a pressure and/or pressure drop (depression) generated by the flow of gas or steam from the adsorption bed in the duct 28 in which said control valve 32 is inserted. This type of passive valve has the advantage of automatic adjustment without the need for specific drivers and/or actuators.

According to another possible embodiment, said control valve 32 is a valve selectively operated by actuating means (not shown) to ensure the passage/obstruction of the respective flow of water vapour or gas in the respective pipe. This embodiment thus provides for the use of valves of the active type, making it possible to always guarantee and possibly force the correct operation of the valve in the case of specific system operating requirements.

It is worth noting that the types of control valves 32 described above are not mutually alternative or exclusive; in other words, control valves 32 of the type described may be used in combination within the same system 4.

The specific operation of the control valve is described in more detail below.

According to the present invention, each adsorbent bed 16,20 may be selectively and alternately connected to the supply circuit of the heat source 36 and the supply circuit of the cooling source 40 by respective supply valves 44. The heating and cooling sources are typically fluid, i.e., water or coolant, from the engine of the vehicle on which the system 4 is mounted. It is also possible to use heating or cooling fluids in the gaseous state, such as engine exhaust gases for heating and outside ambient air for cooling. The supply circuits for the heating source 36 and the cooling source 40 generally include a conduit 48 through which such heating or cooling fluid flows in a liquid or gaseous state through the conduit 48.

The condenser 8 is directly and selectively connectable to the evaporator 12 through a direct branch 52 provided with a respective throttle valve 56. The purpose of the throttle valve 56 is to laminate and thus reduce the pressure of the fluid coming from the condenser 8 and directed towards the evaporator 12 to favour its subsequent complete evaporation inside the evaporator 12.

Advantageously, the system 4 comprises an inlet valve 60 arranged along an air inlet branch 64 adapted to selectively establish a fluid connection between ambient air outside the system 4 and the adsorbent beds 16,20, to capture water from the outside air by means of an adsorption phenomenon performed by the adsorbent beds 16,20 and to produce water by means of the adsorption phenomenon.

According to one embodiment, the inlet valve 60 is a three-way valve capable of selectively allowing passage of gas or water vapor from the evaporator 12 to the adsorbent beds 16,20 and allowing passage of outside air to the adsorbent beds 16, 20.

Preferably, the air inlet branch 64 is provided with a filter 68.

According to one embodiment, the system 4 comprises a drain valve 72 arranged downstream of the condenser 8 to allow condensed water to drain from the condenser 8.

For example, said drain valve 72 is arranged along said direct branch 52, adapted to allow draining of the condensed water coming from the condenser 8 to the evaporator 12.

For example, the drain valve 72 is a three-way valve that selectively allows liquid to pass directly along the direct branch 52 and to drain the liquid out of the system 4.

According to one embodiment, drain valve 72 is connected to a sump 76.

The operation of the adsorption system for producing demineralized water on board a vehicle according to the invention will now be described.

First of all, as can be seen, the invention comprises an air cooling system based on an adsorption cycle, suitably modified so as to allow:

in the presence of a "high" external temperature, cooling air is generated to air condition the passenger compartment, and condensed softened water is generated from the external humidity, thereby utilizing the waste heat of the engine, rather than employing mechanical or electrical power based on the compression cycle as in a typical system. It is worth noting that a high external temperature means that the temperature is generally higher than the range of 7-17 c, typically higher than 15 c.

In the presence of low outside temperatures, i.e. when the vehicle user does not require cold air and when it is in any case impossible to condense the humidity contained in the outside air due to the limited content of water in the air (absolute humidity) and the inability to reduce the operating temperature of the evaporator below a given value (typically 5-7 ℃), an "open-cycle" adsorption system is used to capture the moisture contained in the air by means of the adsorption beds 16,20 by means of an adsorption process.

The operation process remains practically the same as the normal refrigeration operation. In particular:

one of the two beds, for example the first adsorbent bed 16, is cooled and then activated to adsorb water from the air, causing a pressure drop that results in the closing of the control valve 32 to the condenser 8 and the opening of the control valve 32 to the inlet valve 60, allowing outside air to be introduced through the air inlet branch 64 if the inlet valve 60 is operating correctly.

The first adsorption bed 16 continues to adsorb water from the outside air until saturation is reached.

Thus, the first adsorption bed 16 is heated, activating the desorption of water and the consequent pressure increase, which causes the closing of the control valve 32, which control valve 32 connects it to the external environment through the inlet valve 60 and the air inlet branch 64, and which causes the opening of the control valve 32 connected to the supply condenser 8.

Then, the vapor generated by heating the first adsorption bed 16 is condensed and sent to the water collection tank 76 through the opening of the drain valve 72.

It may be noted that a given continuity of water flow production may be ensured by using two adsorption beds 16,20, although the basic mechanism is discontinuous.

More specifically, one of the two adsorption beds, for example, the second adsorption bed 16 is heated by a heat source of 80 ℃ or higher. In the case of application on motor vehicles, such heat sources are readily available and are, for example, engine cooling water and/or heat recovered from exhaust gases. It is worth noting that in this way, heat is recovered, and therefore thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted: this improves the overall thermal efficiency of the system and the vehicle engine in which it is installed.

During heating, the water previously adsorbed by the adsorbent bed is released as water vapor and its pressure is increased by closing the control valve 32 connected to the evaporator 12 and opening the control valve 32 connected to the condenser 8, the condenser 8 then being supplied by a high pressure vapor stream. The cooling of the vapour takes place in the condenser 8, where the supply circuit 40 is at a low temperature (preferably below 50 ℃), including outside air or low-temperature coolant, which causes the vapour to condense.

The condensed water then passes through the throttle valve 56 to the evaporator 12, and the throttle valve 56 reduces the pressure. In evaporator 12, if throttle valve 56 reduces the pressure of the liquid water below a given value, the liquid water becomes a vapor state by removing heat from the external environment equal to its potential heat of vaporization.

At the same time, the first adsorption bed 16 is cooled by means of said cooling feed circuit 40 at low temperature (preferably below 50 ℃) to activate the adsorption of water and thus reduce the pressure, which results in the closing of the control valve 32 towards the condenser 8 and the opening of the control valve connected to the evaporator 12.

In this way, the steam generated in the evaporator 12 is adsorbed in the first adsorption bed 16. Once the first adsorbent bed 16 is fully desorbed and thus the second adsorbent bed 20 is saturated with water, the operation of the two adsorbent beds 16,20 is reversed by the supply valve 44, thus heating the previously cooled bed and vice versa, cooling the previously heated bed. In this way, a virtually continuous refrigeration capacity can be ensured.

It is worth noting that the functions of the adsorbent beds 16,20 are continuously exchanged from heating to cooling, and from adsorption to desorption. Thus, the distinction between the first and second adsorption beds indicated in the specification and drawings is merely indicative and should not be considered in any way in a limiting sense.

Having explained the operation of the system valves and adsorbent beds, it is useful to describe the control/operating logic of the system itself. In particular, such operating logic is implemented by means of at least one processing control unit 80, which processing control unit 80 is programmed to perform all the controls described below.

Given the almost zero impact on the performance of the internal combustion engine and the need to ensure the continuous availability of water to support the potentially high load operation of the engine itself, it is convenient to keep the water production system active at all times if the water storage tank 76 is not full.

The choice of one production regime over another, i.e. production by condensation and production by adsorption/desorption according to the refrigeration cycle at the evaporator, is mainly determined by two factors:

-possible need for cooling by a passenger on board the vehicle;

-outside air temperature.

In fact, if the passenger requests cooling of the passenger compartment, the refrigerator will be forced to operate, whatever the efficiency in terms of water production, and then produce water by condensation in the evaporator 12.

Conversely, if the passenger does not request cooling of the passenger compartment, one of the two liquid water production modes, i.e. one that guarantees a higher flow rate, will be selected.

For both modes, the efficiency of water production depends mainly on the environmental conditions (in particular pressure, temperature and relative humidity) and on the type of machine (type of adsorbent material, temperature of the heating and cooling fluids of the adsorbent bed, etc.).

No additional sensors are required to determine the environmental conditions, since the barometric pressure sensor, the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are already present in virtually all vehicles. Furthermore, the temperature and humidity sensors are usually also adapted to the passenger compartment of a vehicle equipped with an automatic air conditioning system, so that the amount of water in the recirculated air can also be taken into account. These sensors allow for optimization of system control and diagnosis of any faults or malfunctions.

In particular, it is possible to switch from one operating mode to another depending on the external temperature. If this is above a given threshold (typically between 7 and 17 c, for example 15 c), the system will operate as a refrigeration machine and the condensed water will collect in the vicinity of the evaporator 12, if necessary after heating the air in the passenger compartment to ensure passenger comfort. This is because, on the one hand, the adsorption capacity of the solid matrix decreases with increasing temperature (see fig. 4), and, on the other hand, a higher thermal gradient between the air and the surface of the evaporator 12 results in a higher capacity for condensation of water from the air. The flow rate of the water produced will depend on the pressure, temperature and relative humidity of the external recirculating air mixture.

On the other hand, if the external temperature is below the threshold or threshold range, the system is operated in an "open loop" by opening the inlet valve 60 and adjusting the control valve 32 and the supply valve 44.

Also in this case, the two adsorption beds 16,20 will alternately perform the adsorption and desorption operations. In order to maximize the flow of water produced, the solid matrix of the adsorbent beds 16,20 is not adsorbed until saturation, and only the time required for the other adsorbent bed 20,16 to desorb completely is adsorbed, as the adsorption rate decreases with increasing trapped water (see fig. 5).

When the temperature exceeds the above threshold, or when the passenger requests cooling of the passenger compartment, the system returns to "closed loop" operation by closing inlet valve 60, closing drain valve 72, and moving control valve 32 and supply valve 44.

In order to ensure operation of the system as a refrigerator, it is essential that a given amount of water is present in the circuit. To control the amount, i.e., the amount of operator fluid, the inlet valve 60 and the discharge valve 72 may be operated to replenish the amount of water by keeping the inlet valve open and the outlet valve closed, respectively, or to reduce the amount of water by keeping the inlet valve closed and the outlet valve open. These requests may be required by the control system of the chiller if a performance degradation is detected.

Another benefit that the present invention brings over simple operation as a refrigerator is that the amount of operator fluid can be controlled without the need for an operator in the plant.

As can be understood from the above description, the present invention allows overcoming the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

In particular, the invention allows to produce softened water on board a vehicle in a completely autonomous manner at high outdoor temperatures and low outdoor temperatures.

Depending on the type of engine, such water may be used for injection into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine to reduce emissions of pollutants and/or to reduce operating temperatures.

The invention does not require the addition of special components compared to adsorption air conditioning systems and therefore does not imply a significant cost increase compared to known adsorption systems.

Advantageously, the system according to the invention enables advantageously air conditioning of the passenger compartment and production of softened water without using a compressor and therefore without directly deriving mechanical energy from the internal combustion engine; the production of demineralized water is obtained in particular by using the thermal energy of the internal combustion engine, which would otherwise be lost. In this way, the loss of thermal energy from the internal combustion engine is limited or at least partially recovered, and the overall efficiency of the internal combustion engine is increased.

Furthermore, as can be seen, adsorption chillers allow heat to be removed from a low temperature environment and transferred to a higher temperature, consuming heat in place of mechanical work in conventional compression systems.

This technology, as well as absorption technology, allows the creation of a three generation power generation system, where heating or cooling power is generated from the waste heat of a car (i.e. a vehicle traction engine) capable of generating mechanical power. These systems are effective both for stationary applications, in which mechanical power is generally used for power generation, and heating/cooling thermal power for room air conditioning, and for mobile applications, in which mechanical power is generally used directly for traction, or indirectly in the case of series hybrid vehicles, and thermal power is used for passenger compartment air conditioning.

It is worth noting that adsorption systems have the following advantages compared to absorption systems: more compact, without requiring circulation pumps (with respective energy consumption), without requiring the containment of dangerous water/lithium bromide (li-m bromide) or water/ammonia liquid solutions, and above all without being subjected to the strong vibrations to which the components mounted on the vehicle chassis may be subjected.

Adsorption involves the accumulation of gas or liquid molecules on a particular solid surface, creating chemical-physical interactions (van Der Waals bonds) or intermolecular chemical bonds).

Such adsorption systems are very reliable and easy to manage and maintain.

The softened water thus produced can also be used for other applications than injection into combustion chambers; for example, it can be used to top up the cooling system of the engine itself, the casing of the windshield and/or the headlight washer, etc.

Those skilled in the art may make numerous changes and modifications to the adsorption system described above, all falling within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, to satisfy specific needs as the case may be.