Charcoal Canister: Functions and How it Works

Charcoal Canister - Gasoline fuel is one of the main requirements used to operate the engine in the combustion process in the combustion chamber will occur. Gasoline fuel consists of various hazardous chemicals, so it must be treated properly so as not to pollute the environment when used for engine fuel during the combustion process.

One of the well-known gasoline chemicals is HC gas or Hydro Carbon which is very dangerous if inhaled by humans. This hydrocarbon gas is produced because the combustion process in the gasoline engine is not perfect and also comes from the evaporation of the gasoline fuel itself.

Evaporation of the fuel such as that which occurs in the fuel tank should not be directly discharged because it is dangerous. If hydrocarbon gas arises and is polluted, the chemical reaction in the fuel will cause dizziness, respiratory problems, and even death.

To overcome this problem, there is a component called charcoal canister on the car which is closely related to the fuel system. In order for the car to run, the gasoline must first go through the combustion process in the combustion chamber. This process is likely to cause chemical reactions and be harmful to humans if incomplete combustion. Therefore, the charcoal canister function is indispensable for engine performance. Here is a detailed review!

What is Charcoal Canister?

Charcoal canister or sometimes called vapor canister is one of the components in a car engine that is related to the combustion system in a car. The shape of the charcoal canister resembles a tube and the inside holds the charcoal material (charcoal) that is still active.

The history of the use of charcoal canisters began in car engines since 1970. The United States even established special regulations requiring owners to use cars with charcoal canisters as an effort to reduce environmental pollution. At that time, the work of the charcoal canister was still very conventional by relying on the intake manifold vacuum condition (inlet to the combustion chamber). The charcoal canister component is connected directly to the fuel tank, carburetor float chamber, and carburetor filling hole.

Now, the charcoal canister works by using an electric control system that is integrated with the engine controller so that it can operate automatically. The difference with conventional charcoal canisters is that the injection engine is integrated with the ECU through the EVAP valve.

Broadly speaking, there are two problems that must be solved so that the fuel does not easily pollute the environment.

• The volatile nature of gasoline
• The fuel tank must be ventilated so that the pressure inside remains stable

Due to the problem above, every new machine is equipped with a device called a charcoal canister (vapor canister).

Functions of Charcoal Chanister

The function of the charcoal canister is certainly related to the combustion process in the car's combustion chamber. Charcoal canister serves as a temporary shelter for fuel vapor (gasoline) in the fuel tank and the float chamber in the carburetor engine.

Charcoal canister will store fuel vapor as long as the car engine is off and will be channeled to the intake manifold (intake) of the combustion chamber when the engine is running. The purpose of burning this fuel vapor is to make the hydrocarbon gas emitted by gasoline so as not to endanger health or pollute the environment.

1. Charcoal Canister Control Still Using Salenoid Control Valve

Charcoal canister on car engines used to rely on conventional working methods that relied on a vacuum in the intake manifold.

2. Charcoal Canister Control Using Electronic Control

While in the latest car engines, the control of the charcoal canister already uses electronic control that is integrated with the ECU engine controller circuit.

How Charcoal Canisters Work

1. When the Engine Is Off

When the engine is off and the temperature around the vehicle is hot, it will cause the fuel in the fuel tank to evaporate. This steam will be channeled into the charcoal canister tube (vapor canister) through the ventilation hose. Then this fuel vapor is filtered and stored in the tube to be channeled into the intake manifold when the engine is running so that it burns with the air and fuel mixture that is sucked in during the combustion process in the combustion chamber.

2. When the engine is running

When the engine is running, the piston will move from top dead center (TDC) to bottom dead center (BDC) causing a vacuum. This vacuum will suck up a mixture of air and fuel in the intake camber, and will also suck in the hydrocarbon gas vapor that was stored earlier in the charcoal canister through the canister purge valve (canister valve). The canister valve works in one direction (one way) to prevent gas leaks when the engine is off.

Thus the discussion this time about charcoal canister from the understanding and how it works on cars. Hopefully it can be useful for readers.