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A new metal foam material for diesel particulate filtration, trademarked as INCOFOAM® HighTemp, was recently presented. Extensive tests showed the potential of achieving filtration efficiencies of the order of 85% or more at low pressure drop using a radial flow design concept with graded foam porosity. By applying a catalytic washcoat, the foam exhibits enhanced gas mixing and thus higher conversion efficiencies at high space velocities. In addition, due to an excellent soot-catalyst contact, the washcoated foam exhibited high catalytic regeneration rates. The present paper focuses on a novel “cross-flow” design concept for a better filtration/pressure drop trade-off as well as application of the foam as an oxidation catalyst substrate. The experimental testing starts from small-scale reactors and proceeds to real exhaust testing on the engine bench as well as vehicle tests on the chassis dynamometer and on-road testing.

An alternative metal foam substrate for exhaust aftertreatment applications has been recently presented and characterized. The present paper focuses on the potential of the metal foam technology as an efficient DOC and CDPF substrates on real-world conditions. The target platform is a mid-size passenger car and the methodology includes both modeling and experiments. The experimental testing starts from small-scale reactor characterization of the basic heat/mass transfer properties and chemical kinetics. The results show that the foam structure exhibits excellent mass-transport properties offering possibilities for precious metal and catalyst volume savings for oxidation catalyst applications. These results are also used to calibrate an advanced 2-dimensional model which is able to predict the transient filtration and reaction phenomena in axial and radial flow systems.

As the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) technology is nowadays established, research is currently focusing on meeting the emission and durability requirements by proper system design. This paper focuses on the optimum combination between the catalytic coating and substrate structural properties using experimental and simulation methodologies. The application of these methodologies will be illustrated for the case of SiC substrates coated with innovative sol-gel coatings. Coated samples are characterized versus their uncoated counterparts. Multi-dimensional DOC and DPF simulation models are used to study several effects parametrically and increase our understanding on the governing phenomena. The comparative analysis of DOC/DPF systems covers filtration – pressure drop characteristics, CO/HC/NO oxidation performance, effect of washcoat amount and catalyst dispersion on oxidation activity and finally passive regeneration performance.

This paper presents experimental and modeling results related to the application of a novel material as a diesel particulate filter substrate. The material, trademarked as INCOFOAM® HighTemp, is a Ni-based superalloy foam. The material can be produced in sheet form with a large range of microstructure parameters. Thanks to the mechanical properties of the sheets, they can be flexibly shaped in various forms. The foam can be washcoated with active catalytic material to promote regeneration. The experimental testing covers flow and pressure drop behavior with air and exhaust gas, filtration efficiency measurements as function of particle size and regeneration rate measurements. The testing starts from mini-scale reactors and proceeds to real exhaust testing on the engine bench as well as vehicle tests with legislated driving cycles. Special emphasis is given to the characterization of the foam as a catalyst substrate.

The objective of this study is to present a particulate filter concept, based on a new porous material: INCOFOAM® HighTemp, a Ni-based superalloy foam. The paper examines the filtration and pressure drop characteristics as well as the regeneration performance of different filter configurations, based on experimental data and modeling. A number of different foam structures with variable pore characteristics are studied. The experimental testing covers flow and pressure drop behavior with air and exhaust gas, filtration efficiency measurements as function of particle size and regeneration rate measurements. The testing starts from mini-scale reactors and proceeds to real exhaust testing on the engine bench as well as vehicle tests on the chassis dynamometer and on-road. In parallel, a previously developed mathematical model is applied to study and understand the filtration and pressure drop mechanisms in the case of clean and soot loaded filters.

In order to use modeling as a predictive tool for real-world particulate filter designs (segmented filters, non-axisymmetric designs), it is necessary to develop reliable 3-dimensional models. This paper presents a 3 d modeling approach, which is validated against engine-bench measurements with both FBC and CDPF systems. Special emphasis is given to the prediction of the transient inlet flow distribution, which is realized without resorting to external CFD software. The experimental and modeling results illustrate the 3-d nature of the problem, induced by the heat capacity and conductivity effects of the cement layers. It is possible to predict the localization of regeneration in certain areas of the filter (partial regeneration), as a result of poor heat transfer to thermally isolated regions in the filter. The accuracy of the model was validated by extensive comparisons with temperature measurements in 30 positions inside the filters and at various operating conditions.

The possibility to employ a single-brick system with a catalyzed filter (CDPF) for the after-treatment of diesel engines is potentially a promising and cost-effective solution. In the first part of this paper, the effectiveness of a single brick CDPF system towards reducing the gaseous CO and HC emissions is investigated experimentally and computationally. The second part of the paper deals with the behavior of single brick catalyzed filters compared with two brick systems comprising an upstream oxidation catalyst. The main differences of the two systems are highlighted in terms of regeneration efficiency and thermal loading, based on simulation results. The modeling work is based on a 3-dimensional model of the catalyzed filter and an axi-symmetric model of the oxidation catalyst. Model validations are presented based on engine bench testing.

A model simulating the behavior of the porous ceramic trap was developed. The model is based on the assumption that the pore size of the trap combined with the particle size distribution resulting from the trap oxidising activity defines two areas of trap operation: Ci) accumulation when no pass-through is permitted, and (ii) continuous regeneration when pass-through is permitted. The mathematical evaluation of the model demonstrates that regeneration depends on the ratio of space-time and oxidation process time constant. As far as the lower regeneration limit is concerned, temperature is the main parameter, while the upper regeneration limit is imposed by the low space-time. These dependencies have been experimentally confirmed for the couple of a light-duty Daimler-Benz engine and a Corning EX 47 trap. The test data at the regeneration limits have been correlated on the basis of the model and for continuous oxidation of particle mass flow.

A ceramic trap forced regeneration system for urban buses and passenger cars, capable of safe and reliable on-road regeneration is presented in this paper. Development of this system has been made possible through the application of two main design aims: The possibility of protecting the trap from overheating by use of a trap bypassing technique, and the reduction of the total mass of intervening parts between engine and trap, so as to improve trap temperature transient response.

The paper presents a mathematical model for the simulation of the operational characteristics of the trap during transient operation, based on trap inlet conditions of the exhaust gas and trap history. The model incorporates (a) the formulation of flow conditions in the trap (b) the fundamental mass and energy balance of the system (c) the formulation of the oxidation process through chemical kinetics and (d) the description of mass and heat transfer conditions, including the possibility for calculation of trap operation during both particulate accumulation and regeneration phases. The major output of the model comprises ceramic wall and exhaust gas temperature fields in the trap, as functions of time, as well as the loading level of the trap. The application of the simulation model clarifies the critical importance of the wall temperature at trap outlet and forecasts the failure probability of the ceramic material due to overheating, under specific conditions at trap inlet.

A regeneration system for the ceramic trap oxidiser is presented, based on the exhaust gas throttling of the engine. The trottling process, producing 1.5-3.0 bar overpressure, leads to a modified power flow in the engine, resulting in higher enthalpy exhaust gas, at the expense of the net power output of the engine. Thus exhaust temperature is raised over the lower regeneration limit (550°C) for a wide range of engine operation modes including also high speed-no-load modes. The effects of throttling on exhaust gas thermodynamic state and engine operational characteristics (volumetric efficiency, mean effective pressure, power output, consumption) are theoretically and experimentally analysed. An optimised regeneration system by exhaust throttling is described. This system includes: regulated throttling orifice for minimum net power output loss and reduction of fuel injected for acceptable smoke emission of the engine under high backpressure conditions.

A method for the determination of the size of the ceramic trap according to the engine and its use, has been developed. The calculation algorithm is presented, based on fundamental considerations concerning trap operation during regeneration and accumulation, and taking into account the parameters imposed by the engine. The application of the method is then presented, with the example of engines from within the range of 30-300 kW rated power. A module configuration of the trap oxidiser consisting of a number of Corning EX 47, 5.66″ × 6″ filter elements is used.

The oxidizing behavior of the ceramic diesel particulate trap Corning EX 47 is examined under forced regeneration by exhaust gas throttling, based on a trap loading model, assuming soot accumulation from channel outlet towards inlet. The required conditions which may lead to an extended life of the trap are investigated. It is deduced that regeneration of a trap, even totally loaded, is possible, provided that exhaust temperature does not exceed 650°C and mass flow through the trap is higher than a lower critical value.