Engine Tests of an Active Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration System

An active Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration technology has been developed in which diesel fuel is oxidized in the presence of a proprietary catalyst system, regenerating the DPF in an efficient and controlled manner. Several important benefits for such a system include light off at low exhaust temperatures, which allows active regeneration over a wide range of vehicle uses, the ability to heat the DPF uniformly without hot spots or uncontrolled temperature extremes, lower backpressures and fuel penalty costs and a control strategy that could be substantially independent of the engine management system. The Xonon Fuel Combustor (XFC™) provides for active regeneration of the DPF at various vehicle loads and speeds. System attributes include activation at engine exhaust temperatures as low as 220°C and an outlet temperature that can be efficiently controlled over a wide range, as high as 700°C. The system is designed to produce a highly uniform outlet gas stream for controlled regeneration of the DPF. The integration of the XFC with a DPF potentially allows for use of uncatalyzed filter substrates and lower cost substrate materials since the filter unit regeneration cycle can be more carefully controlled and managed. Engine tests over a wide range of exhaust flow rates are shown, illustrating the thermal response of the system at low and high temperatures, including DPF regeneration.