Improved Lifetime Pressure Drop Management for Robust Cordierite (RC) Filters with Asymmetric Cell Technology (ACT)

The stricter emissions legislation in the US, require the implementation of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) for Heavy Duty Diesel engines to meet the 2007 PM emissions targets. Cordierite based wall-flow filters with high filtration efficiency, low Δp and good thermal durability are the product of choice for these applications. Continuous passive oxidation of the soot by NO₂ is desired, however under certain operating and ambient conditions periodic active oxidation of the soot at elevated temperatures (>550°C) is required. A part of the PM emissions of the engine contains non-combustible contributions (ashes). These materials accumulate in the filter over lifetime, resulting in an increase in pressure drop as well as a reduction of the filter volume available for soot accumulation. As the pressure drop rises above manageable levels from a performance perspective, ash cleaning of the filter is required. The ash storage capacity of the filter determines the service interval for the filter. Long service intervals are desired by the end customer. To mitigate the impact of the ash accumulation in the filter, Corning Incorporated has developed filters with the proprietary asymmetric cell technology (ACT), providing high ash capacity with good strength attributes. These filters have larger inlet and smaller outlet channels and therefore a higher volume available for ash storage.

The present work summarizes the results of on-engine (HD) ash testing on uncoated Robust Cordierite (RC) filters - Ø267mm×305mm (Ø10.5″×12″) in both Standard (200/19) and ACT (270/16) design configurations. The work demonstrates, for an equal size filter a 30% improved ash storage capacity and therefore longer service interval for the ACT design over the standard filter. Good durability of the filters for a long operation timeframe (up to 2700h) was demonstrated. Furthermore the paper summarizes a wide set of post testing evaluations, both non-destructive and destructive to understand the ash distribution and interactions in the filter.