Ash Accumulation and Transport in Diesel Particulate Filters (Forth Report)

-In-situ Observation and Detailed Analysis of Ash Accumulation -

Abstract

Soot and ash transport behavior has been investigated using a diesel particulate generator (DPG). It was revealed that ash accumulation pattern strongly depends on the soot amount accumulated in the DPF at the onset of regeneration by analysis using X-ray CT imaging. From in-situ visualization using an optically-accessible full-sized DPF, soot transport behavior was observed frequently when the accumulated soot amount became larger. The plug ash is formed by the soot transport involving the ash particles, while the wall ash is formed when the accumulated soot amount is small. In addition, the ash accumulation structure, such as packing density and permeability, was examined in detail.