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To evaluate the performance of a variety of commercially available exhaust emission control technologies, the Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association (MECA) sponsored a test program at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). The test engine was a current design heavy-duty diesel engine operated on standard No. 2 diesel (368 ppm) and lower sulfur (54 ppm) diesel fuel. Technologies evaluated included: diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs), diesel particulate filters (DPFs), selective catalytic reduction (SCR), fuel-borne catalysts (FBCs) in combination with filters and oxidation catalysts, and combinations of the above technologies. The program was structured to demonstrate that a variety of exhaust emission control technologies, including exhaust gas recirculation, could be used to substantially reduce emissions from a modern MY 1998 heavy-duty diesel engine.

A 15″ diameter x 15″ long, EX-47 wall flow diesel exhaust particulate filter, was operated for approximately 5000 hours on a load haul dump vehicle (LHD) in an underground mine. LHD's are an integral part of production in most underground mines and characteristically operate at high power and load conditions for a significant part of their overall duty cycle. The vehicle was equipped with a Caterpillar 3306 PCTA engine. Fuel containing 0.2 wt% (or less) sulphur and engine oil specified at 0.025% ash were used. Following removal from the vehicle, the filter was analyzed to evaluate physical and thermal properties of the cordierite diesel filter as well as to inspect for ash accumulation or damage. The filter was found to be in excellent physical condition, however ash accumulation was high. The ash was found to be richest in Ca, Zn and P.