Importance

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Abstract

A tubular separation system for separating a mixture of hydrocarbons and air at a fuel tank in an automotive vehicle, comprises; a fuel tank containing hydrocarbon fuel and a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel vapor and air; a fuel filler pipe connected to the fuel tank for conveying hydrocarbon fuel from a source of hydrocarbon fuel into the fuel tank; a separation module comprising a membrane for separating the hydrocarbon vapor from air; a first tubular member between the fuel tank and the separation module for conveying the mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the separation module; a second tubular member between the separation module and the fuel tank for conveying hydrocarbon fuel vapor, separated from the mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel vapor, from the separation module to the fuel tank; and a third tubular member between the separation module and the fuel filler pipe for conveying air, separated from the mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel vapor, from the separation module to the fuel filler pipe. A device that provides a pressure differential across said membrane is employed to facilitate the separation of air and hydrocarbon from the air/hydrocarbon mixture. The air containing any residual fuel vapor is directed to an emissions canister where the residual fuel vapor is adsorbed and eventually consumed by the internal combustion engine while the air is released to the atmosphere.

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First Claim