Abstract
A broad range of different soot regeneration conditions has been investigated, using laboratory scale advanced cordierite catalyzed filters, loaded with synthetic soot and real soot collected from a direct injection diesel engine. Cordierite filter performances, under high soot loading conditions, have been evaluated, as well as the concurrent effect of oxygen concentration and of heat dissipation during regeneration events. It has been hence assessed that the oxygen feed rate plays a major role in defining the proper soot burning reaction conditions, thus managing critical thermal peaks. Nevertheless, especially at high flow rates, the heat removal due to the gas flow significantly decreases the differences between the soot burning rates at different oxygen contents and thus the risk of having uncontrolled exothermal reactions.
Keywords:soot filter, cordierite, regeneration, lab-scale characterization, emission control devices.