Engine Tests of an Active Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration System 2006-01-1089

An active Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration technology has been developed in which diesel fuel is oxidized in the presence of a proprietary catalyst system, regenerating the DPF in an efficient and controlled manner. Several important benefits for such a system include light off at low exhaust temperatures, which allows active regeneration over a wide range of vehicle uses, the ability to heat the DPF uniformly without hot spots or uncontrolled temperature extremes, lower backpressures and fuel penalty costs and a control strategy that could be substantially independent of the engine management system. The Xonon Fuel Combustor (XFC™) provides for active regeneration of the DPF at various vehicle loads and speeds. System attributes include activation at engine exhaust temperatures as low as 220°C and an outlet temperature that can be efficiently controlled over a wide range, as high as 700°C. The system is designed to produce a highly uniform outlet gas stream for controlled regeneration of the DPF. The integration of the XFC with a DPF potentially allows for use of uncatalyzed filter substrates and lower cost substrate materials since the filter unit regeneration cycle can be more carefully controlled and managed. Engine tests over a wide range of exhaust flow rates are shown, illustrating the thermal response of the system at low and high temperatures, including DPF regeneration.