Reduction of Particulate Emission from the Break-in Facilities of a Heavy-Duty Engine Plant by means of Ceramic Monolith Traps

Part of the break-in facilities of a heavy-duty engine production plant were equipped with ceramic monolith trap oxidizers, most of which were catalyst-coated. Non-carbon particulates from the combustion of diesel fuel and lubricating oil as well as dust and wear particles from the engine caused the porous ceramic walls to become plugged very quickly. The deposits not only caused an unacceptable fast rise in exhaust back pressure, but an even faster deactivation of the catalyst by covering its effective surface.

Due to their high sensitivity with respect to plugging and for cost-effectiveness reasons, ceramic monolith trap oxidizers appear to be unsuitable in applications where the emission of non-carbon particulate matter is extremely high, as is the case during engine break-in.