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Accelerated ash loading studies provide a cost-effective means of investigating the long-term impacts of ash accumulation in diesel particulate filters (DPFs). Despite a variety of methods adopted in previous studies for accelerated ash loading, evaluation of their impact on DPF behavior has been limited primarily to pressure drop response (with & without soot), and characterization of properties of the resulting ash deposits for comparison with samples from field testing. In the current study, the potential to use ash recovered from field DPFs to perform accelerated ash loading studies is explored. Additionally, anhydrous gypsum as a surrogate for diesel ash was investigated. Benefits of using gypsum include low cost and easy access, safety during handling and testing, and consistency from test to test. Narrow control of particle sizing and composition can help compare performance over a wide range of filter sizes and applications.

Examination of field-fractured windshields was conducted for purposes of determining the principle fracture mechanisms experienced in-use. Samples for the study were gathered both in the United States (New York) and in Europe (France) to explore whether the primary causes of failure were similar for the different geographic regions. In total, over two hundred individual field-fractures were obtained and examined for the study. Detailed fracture analysis of the parts was performed, and multiple fracture mechanisms were identified and quantified. It was found that the two most frequently observed failure modes were common for both regions with the most frequent cause (~70%) of fractures being due to sharp contact of the exterior ply, while Hertzian cone cracking of the outer ply was the second leading cause (~20%). Several other modes were also identified. Given that sharp impact fracture was the dominant observed failure mode, a high-speed, sharp impact test method was developed.

Until recently, the complexity of the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) system has hindered its commercial success. Stringent regulations of diesel emissions has lead to advancements in this technology, therefore mainstreaming the use of DPFs in light- and heavy-duty diesel filtration applications. This book covers the latest and most important research in DPF systems, focusing mainly on the advancements of the years 2002-2006. Editor Timothy V. Johnson selected the top 29 SAE papers covering the most significant research in this technology.