A Mixed Numerical-Experimental Analysis Procedure for Non-Blocking Metal Supported Soot Trap Design

Metal based Diesel Particulate Filters (PM-TRAPs) could represent a short time solution to face with particulate (and NO_x) emissions with a small influence on CO₂ emission. In fact, the operation principle of the PM-TRAP, based on fluid dynamical behavior of exhaust flow in “ad hoc” shaped geometries, allows to separate the particle content of exhaust-gases but needs to be carefully assessed to optimize filter performances.

In this paper a mixed numerical and experimental procedure has been developed; it allows to finely tune the design parameters which can be used to achieve pre-defined targets in terms of particulate matter and fuel consumption. By adopting the previously declared procedure, a PM-TRAP “optimal” geometry has been chosen. Its performance has been verified with respect to experimental data. Results are encouraging and suggest further development of the system.