Adsorber - what is it? What is an adsorber for? Adsorber

With the advent of cars that meet the Euro 3 environmental standard, car designers were faced with the task of creating a device that traps hydrocarbon vapors in order to prevent their penetration into the atmosphere. So, an adsorber began to appear in the fuel system of many cars, including domestic ones. What is it and how does this part work? You will find out the answers to all these questions in our article.

Adsorber - what is it? Visual characteristics

The word “adsorber” itself translated from English means “to absorb”, “to absorb”. By its design, this part is an energy-absorbing plate. Externally, you may not immediately be able to tell that the bumper is not solid - inside it there is a special filler made of polymer materials.

This part of the device (bumper) is considered the main one and converts mechanical energy into thermal energy, which is then dissipated in the external environment. The plate located in the adsorber bears a lot of responsibility, which is why many manufacturers place such stringent requirements on its technical characteristics and the properties of the entire device as a whole.

The main material used in the manufacture of this element is cellular plastic or expanded polystyrene foam. Recently, manufacturers have begun to use glass beads. The quality of the material itself is also strictly controlled, since the health of many people depends on it. For this reason, the adsorber (you can see a photo of this device below) is equipped only with high-quality bumpers.

But the safety and health of people depends not only on this. In order for the adsorber to perform its functions efficiently on a VAZ Kalina car, it is necessary to reduce the risk of damage to the rear bumper to zero. This part is a power element, and it is it that “bears the blow” that can cause mechanical damage. And if the device is broken or punctured, it can no longer be allowed to be used. This is because with each blow the adsorber (including the 2110 VAZ) loses its ability to absorb emissions.

Adsorber device

Modern devices using the adsorption principle use a variety of materials as absorbing substances, from activated carbon to natural minerals. In an auto adsorber, it is activated carbon, a type of hydrocarbon with a porous internal structure, that claims this role. Strictly speaking, the absorber is a plastic cylindrical container, which is located in the engine compartment not far from the power unit. In some models, you can find the adsorber near the fuel tank, but some of its parts are still located in the engine compartment. Schematically, the fuel vapor absorber consists of the following elements:

gravity sensor;
separator with emergency valve;
the filter itself (usually crushed activated carbon);
solenoid purge valve;
connecting pipelines.

Principle of operation

The adsorber's action algorithm is as follows. Fuel (gasoline) vapors that form in the tank, due to their properties, rise upward and, due to the absence of any container at the neck, first enter the separator. This is where the condensation process takes place. That is, the vapor turns back into liquid and flows back into the tank. The part that did not have time to transform from a gaseous substance into a liquid substance ends up in the adsorber itself. Here the system absorbs these excesses using activated carbon.

It is worth noting that this process occurs only when the engine is turned off. Otherwise, the system will open the canister purge solenoid valve to perform purge. In this case, all gasoline vapors that formed in the tank and did not have time to turn into a liquid state are blown out through the intake pipe of the internal combustion engine and burned.

Thanks to this operating principle, several advantages of using an adsorber can be noted:

The atmosphere is not polluted by harmful fumes.
The car will consume less fuel (albeit by less than 1 percent, but the fact remains that without burnt gasoline vapors, the engine would consume more fuel).

How does a gasoline vapor adsorber work?

In the diagram: 1 - steam pipe; 2 — adsorber tube and purge valve; 3 - shalngi; 4 — purge valve; 5 — fuel drain pipe; 6 — fuel vapor separator; 7 — gravity valve; 8-10 — steam pipes; 11 - adsorber;

Structurally, the adsorber is a hollow cylinder filled with a filtering agent and equipped with a number of additional modules. Its main elements:

directly container for the filter;
activated carbon in the form of granules - this substance effectively traps gasoline fumes;
separator - responsible for returning trapped vapors to the fuel tank;
gravity valve - necessary in emergency situations, in particular during accidents, when there is a high risk of gasoline overflowing through the neck of the gas tank;
solenoid valve - responsible for switching the operating modes of the adsorber;
connecting tubes - combine all elements of the unit into a single system.

The key element of the system, in addition to the filter container itself, is the solenoid valve. It ensures not only switching the accumulation mode to the mode of transferring accumulated vapors to the fuel system, but is also responsible for ventilation of the entire system. Thanks to this part, the retained fuel moves, frees the adsorber cavity for a new cycle of work, and maintains the functionality of the system as a whole.

Signs of adsorber malfunction

The property of becoming clogged and becoming unusable is also inherent in such a part as an adsorber. Malfunctions of this device can occur not only due to a hole that occurs as a result of mechanical damage, but also due to natural wear (contamination) of the absorbing element. A sign of malfunction of this part may be excess pressure in the tank. This happens due to the accumulation of a large number of vapors that have nowhere to escape from the system. Checking your car for the presence of these formations is quite simple - you just need to open the gas tank cap and listen to it. If you hear a characteristic hissing sound, it means that a lot of harmful vapors have accumulated in the container.

You can find out the problem in another way. For example, after the engine warms up to a temperature of more than 60 degrees Celsius, the idle speed of the car begins to drop significantly. While driving, the car may suddenly stall for no apparent reason.

If similar symptoms are observed with your car, be sure to check the adsorber. You can do this - disconnect the hose that goes from the valve to the manifold and turn it off for several days. If the symptoms have not disappeared and the car still produces “freaks” with speed, then, most likely, the adsorber is clogged.

Of course, with a clogged device, the car will drive as before, but it will have a “floating” idle. However, it is worth noting that if this problem is not corrected in time or at least these formations are not periodically released from the container, then at a gas station the tank cap will simply “shoot” out of the neck, and perhaps will not even open. And no one can predict where it will end up. In any case, every time you approach the lid, it is simply unreasonable to fear for its unauthorized “shot” - the easiest way is to replace this part with a new one, especially since it is not that expensive.

How to check the serviceability of a car adsorber - a step-by-step guide

The absorber is designed to absorb fuel vapors from the tank. This part plays an important role in the normal operation of the fuel pump and engine. A malfunction of the device causes a cascade of problems associated with the stability of the power unit. How does the failure of the auto adsorber manifest itself and how to check its serviceability?

What is it needed for

The main role of the adsorber is to capture fuel vapors. The collected vapors are condensed and sent to the intake manifold.

This solves several issues:

firstly, the level of hydrocarbon emissions into the atmosphere is reduced;
secondly, the fuel tank is ventilated and the state of rarefaction in it is eliminated;
thirdly, engine operation is stabilized and gasoline consumption is reduced.

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There are several signs by which you can identify the problem:

floating engine speed;
the engine stalls at idle;
fuel consumption increases;
gasoline vapor accumulates in the tank;
when the power unit is heated, starting it is difficult;
loss of engine power at low speeds.

A car with a faulty adsorber will continue to drive, but the power unit will no longer operate stable. Operating the machine without cleaning the fuel system from gasoline vapors can lead to damage to the fuel pump.

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To identify problems in operation, it is necessary to carry out a step-by-step check:

Disconnect the car's electrical network from the battery.
Disconnect all tubes and wires from the device.
Disconnect the purge valve.
Using a vacuum tube, attach a syringe to the valve nozzle. When pressure is applied to the syringe piston, resistance should be observed, as a result of which the piston returns to its original position.
Perform the same manipulation, but with the valve connected to the network. Press the plunger of the syringe and turn on the power to the valve. A “poof” should be heard as a result of the valve opening to relieve pressure.

If the valve does not open, it is beyond repair and must be replaced.

Let's get started

Let's start by dismantling the part.

First you need to free it from the fastening elements, then disconnect from it the hose that supplies gasoline vapor to the throttle, and the wires with the block. Next, the purge valve is dismantled. The fuel outlet hose from the separator is also disconnected. The bracket should be unscrewed and removed. This is not difficult to do, since it is secured with only three bolts.

Design and operation of the adsorber purge valve

The KPA is an electromagnetic locking device that operates from the vehicle’s on-board network. The valve consists of:

plastic case;
valve with spring;
windings;
metal core;
connector

When the vehicle's engine is turned off, no voltage is supplied to the valve and it remains in the closed position. That is, on the motor side, the system that captures vapors is blocked. At the same time, the adsorber begins to “collect” vapors. When the power unit starts, voltage is applied to the valve, causing it to open and fuel vapors to enter the intake manifold. As soon as the ignition is turned off, the control unit is de-energized and the pipeline is closed: no vapors enter the receiver.

Cars of a high price category have a more complex evaporation system. Such machines have special sensors that can “calculate” the amount of air and vapor as a percentage. This allows you to more accurately control the supply of gasoline to the injector.

Installation

At this stage, the adsorber has been successfully dismantled. Now you can begin installing the new device. The longest piece of rubber hose is connected to the tube that supplies fuel vapor to the purge channel. The smaller part of the hose is connected to the intake pipe from the separator. After that we put it on the fastenings. Now we connect the vapor supply hose to the purge channel. The latter is installed on the motor cover. The block with wires is also connected here. A long hose must be installed between the purge valve and the adsorber. Let us remind you that all rubber tubes must be resistant to motor oil and gasoline. The old hose with the check valve tube is removed. A short piece of part is installed in its place. That's it, at this stage the adsorber has been successfully installed. As you can see, the installation of this device can be done without the help of specialists.

Finally, we note that many car owners install adsorbers from the younger model, Priora, on VAZs of the tenth family.

DIY valve diagnostics

If you only need to replace the adsorber valve, then there is no point in going to a service station. Unlike installation, this work will require a few minutes of your time and just one Phillips screwdriver. It is not difficult to find such a device, and it costs only 500-600 rubles. Well, everyone has a Phillips screwdriver in their home. Along with the valve, the adsorber sensor can also be changed, since it directly controls the first part. However, this should only be done when the sensor makes extraneous sounds in the form of crackling sounds.

First, let's check the valve for serviceability. To check this part we will need a multimeter and several pieces of wire.

First, release the retainer and remove the wiring harness block from the purge valve. Next, connect the negative voltage probe. Turning on the ignition, measure the voltage at terminal “A” of the wire block.

The result should be at least 12 volts. If there is no voltage or it is less than normal, most likely your battery is discharged or the ECU is faulty.

Using a Phillips screwdriver, loosen the clamp securing the tube to the valve. We remove the hose from the pipe. Using a screwdriver, remove the valve from the adsorber. We apply 12 V voltage from the battery to the terminals (plus to terminal “A”, minus to “B”).

If the valve does not then open with a characteristic click, the device must be replaced. By the way, if the new element does not have an o-ring, it can be borrowed from the old part. However, this is only permissible if the ring has no mechanical damage or microcracks. Otherwise, the sealing part must also be replaced.

Is it possible to remove the adsorber? Pros and cons of turning off the system.

The adsorbent system is an integral component of a modern vehicle. A properly functioning filter does not affect the functioning of the engine. Moreover, it allows you to save a little on gasoline, because the trapped fuel vapors are not thrown out, but burn in the engine.

Is it possible to ignore environmental standards and remove the adsorber from the car? This can be done, and it will not affect the operation of the car in any way. From a technical (but not environmental) point of view, this is even better - vapors from the tank will escape directly into the environment, and without additional cans, valves and tubes, the reliability of the car will increase.

It is not difficult to carry out this manipulation - you need to connect a fine filter to the separator through a hose, shut off the adsorber itself and do chip tuning (engine firmware).

Disabling the adsorber has other positive aspects:

the engine compartment space is significantly freed up, because the system (especially the filter bank) takes up a lot of space;
the known problem of unstable engine idle operation disappears;
There is a small cost savings due to the unnecessary purchase of a new adsorber and valve in the event of their breakdown.

At the same time, we should not forget what threatens the shutdown of the adsorbing system, namely:

There will be a smell of gasoline inside the car, because some of the vapor will go into the cabin;
light hydrocarbons will be released into the atmosphere and pollute the environment;
the car itself (outside) may also begin to smell of fuel.

About why an adsorber is needed, how it works, and how to check it, see the following video:

The adsorbent system is a fairly simple but useful component of a car. Maintenance of this element is not difficult or expensive, but if desired, you can go against environmental standards and turn off the adsorber, slightly increasing the reliability of the machine.

That's all for me today. If you have any questions, or if you want to add to the article, write comments.

Best regards, administrator

How to change the valve?

So, let's get to work. First you need to de-energize the car, that is, remove the negative terminal from the battery. Next, disconnect the plug from the control panel.

To do this, in order to get to this part, we loosen the inlet pipe clamp a little. Having removed it from the mass air flow sensor, we move it to the side. Now, in order not to remove the mass air flow sensor itself, we slightly bend the valve mount for its smooth dismantling. The mounting offset is approximately 1 centimeter.

After this, you need to pull it up along the grooves. So this part can be removed very easily. But at this point the adsorber valve has not yet been dismantled. Next, we will need to disconnect several supply fittings on each side. One of them is quite easy to remove, but the second may cause problems. The fact is that the supply fitting is fixed with a special latch. To remove it, you need to recess the latch and pry off the plastic antennae (in this case, the fitting rises slightly upward).

At this stage, the adsorber valve has been successfully removed. Installing the new one is done in reverse order.

How the adsorber works in a car: EVAP system

Despite the design differences and differences in the location of key elements, the air purification scheme from volatile fuel substances in all machines will work on an identical principle. The key element that purifies the air from unpleasant evaporation is a container filled with activated carbon.

After condensation, gasoline vapors enter the cavity of the container through a hose through a gravity valve. While the car engine is not running, the pressure in the tank increases and vapors accumulate in a special reservoir in the adsorber tank. Gradually, excess pressure forces excess air through the coal and out into the atmosphere. At the same time, the gasoline smell and harmful volatile substances are retained by the neutralizing agent.

The adsorber device has another valve, but it is already electromagnetic. When the internal combustion engine starts, the microprocessor (electronic control unit) controls the operation of this mechanism. The second canister circuit is connected to the intake manifold through a fitting connected to the same fuel tank.

When the pressure in the tank increases, the solenoid valve is activated. Since a vacuum is created in the intake manifold, gasoline vapors are sucked in, but in this case they no longer go through the carbon filter into the atmosphere, but along an easier path - into the intake system (more details on how it works are described separately ).

To prevent vacuum from forming in the gas tank due to the operation of the cleaning system, which would impede the operation of the gas pump, there is an air fitting in the adsorber tank. Through it, fresh air flow enters the separator if all excess vapor has already been removed. This process is called purging.

The advantage of such a system is that while the motor is running, the carbon filter remains unused. When gasoline vapors enter the vehicle's intake system, harmful substances are burned during the operation of the cylinders. Next, the exhaust gas stream is neutralized in the catalyst. Thanks to this, the smell of unburned gasoline is not heard near the car.