Mathematical model of the thermal regeneration of a wall-flow monolith diesel particulate filter

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 39; no. 7; pp. 1233 - 1244
• Main Author: Bissett, Edward J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1984; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Pollution; Prevention and purification methods; Transports and other; Suspended particle; Regeneration; Filter; Pollution prevention; Wall flow; Diesel engine; Air pollution; Exhaust gas; Mathematical model
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/0009-2509(84)85084-8

A wall-flow monolith filter placed in the exhaust stream of a diesel engine can effectively limit the emission of diesel particles through the monolith. The accumulated particles can then be periodically combusted inside the monolith by directing hot gas from a fuel burner to the monolith while the normal engine exhaust is routed around the burner/monolith system. The resulting low flow rates through the monolith require consideration of gas dynamics through the channels as well as particle combustion to analyze this regeneration process. A mathematical model of the regeneration is formulated as a system of nonlinear partial differential equations describing the conservation of mass, momentum and energy. Numerical solutions are obtained by using a combination of finite element and finite difference techniques for the spatial discretization and using an implicit ordinary differential equation solver for the resulting time integration. A detailed discussion of the solution for a sample regeneration is given.