Diesel Particulate Filter
What is DPF ( Diesel Particulate Filter)
What is DPF?
What is DPF?: Diesel Particulate Filters are products that are used to remove diesel soot from the exhaust of diesel engines. The filters are said to remove about 85 per cent of the soot and, when paired with other equipment, they can remove 100 per cent of the soot. As of 2009, all new diesel-powered vehicles are required to have DPF’s, and car models of previous years will also have their exhaust pipes fitted with these filters. The aim is to have a minimal effect on the environment and thus protect it for future generations.
Soot Collection
The DPF’s trap soot that is in the exhaust, and since a lot may be collected in the exhaust, it is best to empty it out regularly in order for it to be effective. Once collected, the soot is burnt at very high temperatures to leave an ash residue. This process is called regeneration and it may either be active or passive.
Passive Regeneration
Passive regeneration happens automatically on the road when the exhaust temperature becomes too hot. Active regeneration occurs when the set limit is reached. The temperature then may be raised by adjusting the fuel injection in order to start the regeneration process. If the journey is too short, then the regeneration process will not be completed and a warning light will signal that the filter needs to be emptied. Driving at speeds of over 40 mph will start the regeneration process, which will eventually clear the filters. If the motorist drives slowly, the soot will continue to build up and other dashboard lights will come on. When at 75 percent, the regeneration process will not occur even if the driver increases speed; they will have to go to a car dealer to have the process done.
DPF's are sometimes fitted with oxidising converters
DPF's are sometimes fitted with oxidising converters. They are placed close to the engine where heat will be generated and, from there, passive regeneration can occur. Sometimes, the engine is fully packed and there is no space for an additive. Some manufacturers use a different type of DPF that lowers the ignition temperature of the soot particles so it can be located further away from the engine. The additive is kept in a separate area and is automatically mixed with the gas when one fills up. Small quantities of the additive are used, so a litre should clean out 2800 litres of fuel efficiently at 40 mph. What is DPF going to do eventually? It will reduce your carbon footprint and reduce harmful emissions to the environment, which is perfect for the environmentally conscious motorist.
How would you go about getting rid of DPF and why?
Diesel Particulate Filters[1] were implemented in accordance with the car emissions legislation and have become common in diesel cars. A diesel particulate filter, which is referred to as DPF, removes the diesel particulate matter, or the soot, from the exhaust gas of a diesel vehicle and reduces the particulates in the emissions. In some places the removal of the DPF is illegal and can result in fines if discovered on a street vehicle. The concern is that DPF can cause issues in cars (reduces power and performance, and causes clogging) and can give rise to hefty price tags for repair. So the question is, should you repair or have a DPF delete performed? The cost can be upwards of £2000 or more for repair, but much less for removal. A DPF removal can actually bring better performance to your vehicle and is just another reason that more people are opting for this conversion. While there might be some risk for the EPA and dealer warranty, the power and performance people are seeing can be worth it. DPF removal is really about getting torque and horsepower for your vehicle; it is not something that every vehicle needs or should have. Doing a DPF delete can be tricky; you need to be sure you understand how to perform the removal, or have a professional do the work. Computer tuning is critical in removal and can cause improper codes if not done accurately. So be sure the right tuner is used for removing the DPF. A proper tuner is simple to use, increases the power and mileage and makes DPF removal pretty easy. DPF's can have effects on exhaust and, while some older vehicles can see the improved performance, it may or may not be the answer for you. DPF delete kits[2] are available and provide everything needed for you to work your own conversion. So deciding if removing the DPF is for you or not, really depends on what you are using your vehicle for, and the life cycle of the vehicle. Weigh your options, review your usage and then decide, to DPF or not to DPF. DPFs are devices fitted along the exhaust pipe which are designed to remove soot or particulate matter from the exhaust gas from a diesel engine. The diesel particulate matter is what gives diesel exhaust fumes a dark, heavy smoke. The soot is the by-product of incomplete combustion of diesel within the engine. Depending on the type of DPF fitted on a diesel engine vehicle, 85% to 99% of soot can be filtered from the exhaust fumes. It therefore enables the exhaust pipe to emit non-visible fumes.
Materials Used
The efficiency of these filters depends on the materials used in their manufacture. Common materials used in the manufacture of DPFs include silicon carbide, ceramic fibre, cordierite and metal fibre. The material used also affects the price of the filter.
DPF Regeneration
Like with any other filter, DPFs might become clogged with the particulate matter over time. As such, they need to be emptied. DPFs are designed to get rid of the soot in environmentally friendly ways. This is through a process called regeneration where the diesel particulate matter is burned off at high temperatures, leaving ash residue. Modern cars are designed to burn off soot through active regeneration where the vehicles computer system triggers the production of heat to burn off the soot.
Emissions
Emissions[3] from diesel engines have been linked to environmental pollution. In particular, diesel particulate matter contributes to air pollution. Once the particulates are airborne, inhalation can result in lung and heart problems. The law doesn't require that you fit a diesel particulate filter in your car. However, standards have been set to control the emissions from diesel engine vehicles. Currently in the United Kingdom, the Euro 5 standard applies. This standard also applies to all members of the European Union. The Euro 5 standard requires that diesel particulate emissions do not exceed 5mg per kilometre. It also sets the maximum amount of carbon monoxide emissions from such engines at 500mg per kilometre. The maximum amount of combined nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons per kilometre is set at 230mg. The London Low Emissions Zone is another standard set to reduce the amount of particulate emissions within London. These standards target car manufacturers. However, having your vehicle fitted with a DPF is the best thing to do in order to keep the environment clean.
References
This article "Diesel Particulate Filter" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Diesel Particulate Filter. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- ↑ Lizarraga, Leonardo; Souentie, Stamatios; Boreave, Antoinette; George, Christian; d'Anna, Barbara; Vernoux, Philippe (2011). "Effect of diesel oxidation catalysts on the diesel particulate filter regeneration process". Environmental Science & Technology. 45 (24): 10591–7. Bibcode:2011EnST...4510591L. doi:10.1021/es2026054. PMID 22050688.
- ↑ John, Cope. "Dpf delete kits". defdeletekits. Retrieved 2019. Check date values in:
|accessdate=(help) - ↑ Fiebig, Michael; Wiartalla, Andreas; Holderbaum, Bastian; Kiesow, Sebastian (2014). "Particulate emissions from diesel engines: correlation between engine technology and emissions". Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology. 9 (1): 6. doi:10.1186/1745-6673-9-6. PMC 3973853. PMID 24606725.
