More Diesel Particulate Filter retrofits might be enabled by intake throttling scheme

Diesel Fuel News, Nov 25, 2002

Since many engines have 'too cold" duty cycles to ensure regular soot bum-off--even with catalyzed DPFs--other schemes need to be developed. Post-main injection of fuel (to boost exhaust temps for soot burn) is better suited for original equipment maker (OEM) applications. But perhaps an intake throttling scheme could be the answer for many clean-diesel retrofits, according to Europe's "VERT" DPF project experts.

In an upcoming technical paper, these experts will argue that intake throttling feasibly could be installed between turbocharger and engine, with very minimal fuel-economy penalty. A fast-response throttle flap would be needed in order to ensure full-load operation whenever required, however. One project already on the table could serve as a launching-pad for such tech development: "Computations and experiments could be performed within a Swiss BUWAL technology project with the aim of further developing parti cle filters for retrofit of public transport buses of the city of Biel," explains VERT proponent Andreas Mayer of TTM. For more info: ttm.a.mayer@bluewin.ch