How Diesel Particulate Filters Help Alleviate Environmental Pollution

With the increase of environmental pollutions these days, certain devices and methods are being main-streamed in order to help reduce the weight on the environment. Diesel particulate filters for instance, devices that are designed to remove the particulate matter resulting in the burning of diesel fuel from the exhaust gas of an engine. Some of these filters, the wall-flow variety in particular, are capable of removing up to 85% or more of the soot found in exhaust gas; in certain conditions that percentage may even peak out at 100%. Certain filters are only intended to be used once, and must be disposed of and replaced after they reach their maximum capacity of residue. Other more efficient filters are capable of burning off the accumulated residue, either in a passive manner, through the use of a catalyst, or through an active means such as a fuel burner, which will bring the filter itself to higher temperatures capable of burning the soot. Diesel particulate filters that utilize the aforementioned active method will automatically manipulate the engine’s timings in order to make subtle modifications to the exhausts heat, eventually burning off the unwanted particulate matter; this process as a whole is typically known as “filter regeneration.” The filter should always be regularly cleaned and maintained to ensure that everything continues to work properly and at maximum possible efficiency.
A variety of different diesel particulate filters are available on the market – each with its own design and purpose, and all holding to the same requirements. Fine filtration, minimum pressure drop, low cost, mass production suitability and product durability. The most common filter available is made of cordierite, a ceramic material which provides excellent filtration efficiency and is usually inexpensive. More advanced filter designs exist but tend to be quite a bit more expensive as well.