Tell me more about DPFs

As legislation of particulate matter emissions becomes tighter, the need to fit diesel vehicles with effective Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) is becoming more important.

DPFs offer significant reductions in particulate matter emissions (typically over 95%) and can be fitted to many types of vehicles.

Legislation aimed at the introduction of DPFs is starting to be implemented around the world. Since Sweden established environmental zones and the mandatory Swiss Retroit programmes, legislation requiring the retrofitting of Diesel Particulate Filters to older heavy-duty vehicles has emerged in many other cities throughout the world.

Many European diesel passenger cars are now factory fitted with DPFs and future EURO emissions legislations will drive the introduction of DPFs in the heavy duty OEM sector.

DPFs are installed in the exhaust system of diesel vehicles to filter and collect particulate matter. Particulate matter is composed of soot (created by fuel combustion), inorganic ash (derived from the lubricant) plus any liquid hydrocarbon (from unburned fuel) adsorbed onto these particles.

A DPF physically filters particulate matter from the engine exhaust. Over time the DPF becomes blocked with particulate matter and needs to be regenerated by burning off the collected soot. Soot normally burns at a temperature over 600°C, however, vehicle exhausts rarely reach temperatures this high so a DPF regeneration method must be adopted.

An effective way of burning the soot is by the use of catalyst materials. These lower the soot burning temperature to a range which is normally experienced by the exhaust system during typical vehicle operation.

The two most commonly used regeneration methods for DPFs are:

• Fuel Borne Catalysts (FBCs) where the catalyst is supplied as an additive in the fuel
• Catalysed DPFs (CDPFs) where the catalyst material is supported on the surface of the filter

To find out more, please do not hesitate to contact either

• Nigel Attwood: +44 (0)1235 549 538, Nigel.Attwood@Infineum.com
• your local sales representative

with whom you will be able to discuss your individual requirements.

Alternatively, you can send your questions to us.