Endothermic Phenomena in Diesel Particulate Filters During Regeneration

Abstract

Endothermic phenomena were identified during the regeneration of the porous ceramic diesel particulate trap. These phenomena were experimentally investigated and they were found to be related to the cerium content of the fuel used for the trap loading and regeneration and to the soot mass accumulated in the trap. Carbon mass and energy balance through the regeneration process reveals that these phenomena cannot be attributed to chemical reactions in the trap. It is assumed that they are due to the effect of regeneration on the radial flow distribution through the trap, an assumption remaining to be experimentally tested.