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Poor air quality is a major problem in urban areas worldwide. The air quality in cars decreases drastically when driving in the country to driving in the city and on highways. People who drive in the city have constant exposure to poor air quality which can have adverse health consequences such as elevated risks of asthma and other lung-related issues. Most recent cars include a cabin air filters that offers protection to passengers from outside harmful dust, exhaust gas, pollen and bacteria, depicted in Figure 1. However, less expensive and older cars rarely include cabin air filters. It is estimated that only 40% of vehicles on the road actually contain a cabin air filter. This creates an opportunity to design and integrate a cabin air filter for cars without them. The main purpose of the filter would be to remove particulate matter from the air thereby reducing the adverse health effects that are associated with inhaling large amounts of particulate matter. The filter must produce results that meet standards set by the Ministry of the Environment, it must remain secured in place at all times and it must ensure that all intake air passes through it.
Laura Doyle, Sabrina Fraser, Jessica Morris and Lyndia Stacey, four students from University of Guelph, intended to design and verify an aftermarket car cabin air filter that improves the air quality entering the vehicle for their fourth year design project.
Figure 1 - System diagram for harmful highway emissions entering a vehicle
This case is intended for students to apply air quality and air pollution control concepts to a car cabin air filter design.
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Contact Waterloo Cases in Design Engineering
Steve Lambert
Tel: (519) 888-4728
Email: steve@uwaterloo.ca
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.