A Next Generation Cordierite Diesel Particle Filter with Significantly Reduced Pressure Drop

Diesel particle filters (DPF) have become a standard aftertreatment component for all current and future on-road diesel engines used in the US. In Europe the introduction of EUVI is expected to also result in the broad implementation of DPF's. The anticipated general trend in engine technology towards higher engine-out NOx/PM ratios results in a somewhat changing set of boundary conditions for the DPF predominantly enabling passive regeneration of the DPF. This enables the design of a novel filter concept optimized for low pressure drop, low thermal mass for optimized regeneration and fast heat-up of a downstream SCR system, therefore reducing CO₂ implications for the DPF operation. In this paper we will discuss results from a next-generation cordierite DPF designed to address these future needs. The new materials are based on a thin-wall design with optimized material and microstructure, resulting in an almost linear pressure drop response with soot loading in the bare and catalyzed state. A significant reduction in soot-loaded pressure drop for uncoated and coated filters is demonstrated of the new filter design versus current EPA 2010 filter technologies. The optimized microstructure also enables high filtration efficiency for mass and number. Results from a wide range of regeneration experiments will be used to discuss the thermal operating window of the new material and the thermal response during normal operation and active regeneration. A uniform temperature distribution and the fast thermal response of the low mass filter minimize implications on fuel consumption.