Active Regenerative DPF Using a Plasma Assisted Burner

Plasma burner for the regeneration of active DPF system is proposed. Plasma used in this work is rotating arc that is optimized for burner application. Electric power required to operate plasma burner is less than 200W and is not dependent on the engine size. In this plasma burner, plasma plays multiple roles including heater for fuel vaporization, mixer, partial reformer, igniter and flame holder. These special functions enable the burner to sustain stable flame even in ultra rich condition where a flame is never possible to be sustained in conventional burner. Air flow rate required to operate the burner is 50~100 liter/min regardless of the amount of fuel where the amount of fuel usage depends on the target temperature. Road test showed successful operation over 20,000km run with 2.5, 5 and 8.5 ton truck satisfying mode condition for certification of Korea governmental retrofit program.