A Study on Soot and Ash Accumulation Characteristics of Diesel Particulate Filter Substrate Using Nondestructive Computed Radiography X-ray Imaging Technique

Giyoung Park,Manjae Kwon,Hoyoung Ryu,Seangwock Lee

doi:10.3390/app11209483

Abstract

The diesel particulate filter of a diesel engine is an after-treatment device that removes particulate matter from exhaust emissions by filtering and oxidating them through a regeneration process. When the diesel particulate filter is damaged, a vehicle inspection is usually performed; if the cause is not found through using on-board diagnostics, then the diesel particulate filter is removed, and a visual test is conducted. However, it is not easy to find the exact cause of the diesel particulate filter being damaged, and a visual test takes a long time as the diesel particulate filter substrate is covered by a canister. In this study, using the computed radiography X-ray imaging technique, X-ray images were taken after placing an accumulated amount of carbon powder, similar to soot and ash powder in the substrate. Results confirmed that carbon powder and ash powder were shown in white in X-ray images, leading to a conclusion that distinguishing between carbon powder and ash powder is possible by analyzing the pixel value through the image processing technique. However, since pixel values alone are insufficient for exact quantitative evaluation, various studies and analyses are necessary for quantitative evaluation.

Highlights

Nanoparticulate matter among air pollutants is a growing environmental concern worldwide
Contents of carbon powder, which is similar to soot that is accumulated in the substrate, in six different quantities were the new substrate to see if they were accumulated based on a comparison of pixel values
Contents of carbon powder, which is similar to soot that is accumulated in the substrate, in six different quancompared by taking an X-ray

Summary

Introduction

Nanoparticulate matter among air pollutants is a growing environmental concern worldwide. A data book on automotive particulate matter (PM) reduction published by the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea indicates that diesel vehicles account for 29 percent of the total PM emissions in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, followed by construction equipment (accounting for 22 percent). These results signify that diesel engines are responsible for more than half of PM emissions in the Seoul Metropolitan Area [1]. Concerns are being raised over air pollution triggered by aged diesel vehicles and construction equipment without after-treatment devices Against this backdrop, stronger controls and regulations are being imposed, as manifested in the following measures. Maintenance regulations for diesel vehicles are being enforced [4]

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Results

Conclusion