Finite Element Analysis of Soot Load Detection Capability via Electrical Capacitance Tomography in a Diesel Particulate Filter

In this paper, feasibility study was completed to prove the ability of detecting soot load amount in diesel particulate filter using electromagnetic finite element model. It is critical to accurately measure the soot load in a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in order to optimize the active regeneration process that clears the filter clogged with soot. Tetrahedral mesh was created with electrostatic solid element for this analysis. Because of the geometry of the DPF and the narrowness of some sections between holes, a very fine mesh was generated. A model consistency study was created illustrating the effect of clogging on the internal electric field of the filter. Multiple scenarios representing various clogging configurations were simulated. These configurations included a fully clogged filter, the top-right quadrant of holes clogged, and the lower half of holes clogged. The FEA analysis demonstrated that change of relative permittivity in the DPF due to soot plugging can be estimated by measuring the electrical potential across electrodes.