High dust pollution and the associated risks to health are noted with anxiety by those living in cities. Even though politicians have since spoken out against driving bans in the city, based on recent legal rulings such bans remain a possibility. The filtration specialist MANN+HUMMEL from Ludwigsburg has recognized the importance of this subject and in the course of its R&D activities in this area has today started field tests with a test vehicle.
The filtration experts from MANN+HUMMEL equip the vehicle with three applications, designed to help reduce fine dust pollution. A filter installed on the roof separates particulate matter from the ambient air. Inside the vehicle, occupants are protected by an innovative cabin air filter. Undercar a newly developed brake dust particle filter prevents particles from entering the environment. The catchy design of the car as a fine dust eater makes the car hard to overlook on its test drives throughout the region of Stuttgart.
The fine dust particle filter installed on the roof of the car separates particulate matter from the ambient air. Through its low flow resistance, the fitted filter element enables an excellent air throughput and a simultaneously high separation efficiency. Computer simulations have shown that the particulate emissions resulting from fuel combustion could be fully offset by using a fine dust particle filter. MANN+HUMMEL will monitor the results from the simulation in a field test and investigate the separation of particulates from the air under real driving conditions.
MANN+HUMMEL has already developed solutions to protect vehicle occupants. The test vehicle is also fitted with a newly developed cabin filter. The activated carbon mix used in the filter enables a very high separation efficiency for toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other harmful gases. The innovative coating of the filter reliably binds high volumes of ammonia while ultra-fine nanofibers in the inside of the filter provide excellent protection against particulates and pollen.
Next MANN+HUMMEL will equip the vehicle with a newly developed brake dust particle filter. The robust housing of the filter fits closely to the brake caliper enabling the filter to capture brake dust particles at the source before they escape into the environment. This is particularly important as the amount of fine dust caused by braking in city traffic is probably more than that caused by exhaust emissions. While today's modern brake pads are chemically much more environmentally friendly than in the past, more than 90% of brake dust also consists of fine particles which can still have a negative effect on human health. The new brake dust particle filter can be applied on all types of vehicle disc braking systems for automotive or non-automotive applications, whether for electric vehicles, hybrids or conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles.
According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), every year roughly 47,000 people in Germany die from the effects of particulates. In the meantime the city of Stuttgart is known in the region for its fine dust alarm. While in 2016 the fine dust alarm was proclaimed for 59 days, in 2017 the fine dust alarm in the state capital had already been proclaimed in the months from January to April on 48 days. Also outside of the fine dust alarm periods, i.e. in the summer months, the legally permissible limits for particulates in the air are exceeded in isolated cases.
MANN+HUMMEL started working on this innovative project to reduce particulate levels as early as 2007 and in the project cooperates with external partners. The aim of the joint venture with other companies and start-ups is to be able to react quickly and with agility in an open and dynamic working environment in order together to develop solutions to complex problems. In the case of the particulate filter MANN+HUMMEL has been working with Albert Kamm, managing director of TEAM KAMM GmbH which is located in Aichwald in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The services provided by the TEAM KAMM GmbH company include expert services in the area of vehicle engineering and service.
About MANN+HUMMEL MANN+HUMMEL is a leading global expert for filtration solutions. The company group with its headquarters in Ludwigsburg, Germany, develops solutions for motor cars, industrial applications, clean air in interior spaces and the sustainable use of water. In 2016 the group achieved sales of approx. 3.5 billion euros worldwide with more than 20,000 employees at more than 80 locations. The products manufactured by the group include air cleaner systems, intake manifold systems, liquid filter systems, plastic components, filter media, cabin filters, industrial filters and membrane filters.Further information on MANN+HUMMEL is available at http://www.mann-hummel.com
