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New developments on the Northeastern University's Rotating Self-Cleaning particulate trap are reported herein. A new and improved system has been constructed with emphasis placed on minimizing leaks around rotating parts. Five different, wall flow, ceramic monolith filter elements were tested, a Corning, two NGK, a Panasonic and a Corning/Ceramem trap. The filters were rotated to enable simultaneous capture of the particulate emissions and regeneration by removing the particulates using compressed air. Improvements on the casing, the ducts, and the sealing around the monolith provided for an air-tight casing, and for almost complete isolation between the exhaust and the cleaning air streams. Moreover, experiments were conducted to minimize the flowrate of the required cleaning air.

A new particulate control system has been developed and bench tested coupled with the exhaust of a single cylinder diesel engine. This system uses Ceramic monolith Filters for collecting the soot, however, it does not require thermal regeneration for cleaning the filters. Instead, compressed air is employed to remove the soot from the filter in a reverse flow configuration. This type of regeneration was accomplished in two different ways: By backpulsing the filter with compressed air. By slowly pressurizing the filter casing with air and then suddenly releasing it when the pressure reaches a predetermined value. During filter regeneration period, the engine exhaust was momentarily released to the atmosphere. To avoid this release, a dual configuration of the system consisting of two ceramic filters operating alternatively has also been designed. Particulates blown-off the filter were recaptured in a baghouse or burned in a specially designed electrical burner.