Diesel Particulate Control System for Ford 1.8L Sierra Turbo-Diesel to Meet 1997-2003 Particulate Standards

Feasibility of wall-flow diesel exhaust filter trap particulate aftertreatment emission control systems to meet the U.S. Federal, CARB, and EC passenger car standards for 1997/2003 and beyond for the 1360 kg (3000 lb.) EAO (Ford European Automotive Operations) 1.8 liter Sierra Turbo-Diesel passenger car is investigated. Plain and Pd catalyzed monolith wall flow diesel particulate traps are examined using Phillips No. 2 diesel fuel (Reference Standard), low sulfur (0.05% S) diesel fuel and an ultra-low sulfur (0.001% S) diesel fuel. Comparisons are made with baseline FTP75 and Highway exhaust emissions and Federal and CARB mandated particulate standards for 1997 and 2003. Effectiveness of catalyzed traps, plain traps, copper octoate trap regeneration fuel additive, and fuel sulfur content on the particulate emissions is determined. On the basis of limited durability tests, cordierite wall flow filter traps of 100 cpi and 0.432 mm (0.017 in.) wall thickness having palladium catalyst on exit channel surfaces, with 0.13gm Cu/liter fuel (0.5g Cu/gallon) with Cu as copper octoate fuel additive for trap regeneration, demonstrates capability for reducing diesel particulate emissions to well below the stringent 1997/2003 particulate emission standards, with low (0.05% S) and ultra low (0.001% S) sulfur fuels. This investigation identifies a potential means for reducing NO_x emissions. However, the NO_x standards still pose a formidable challenge.