Numerical Simulation of Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Considering Ash Deposit

Non-combustible ash can be deposited on channel walls through the full length of a diesel particulate filter (DPF). This type of ash can affect the exhaust condition and heat transfer process during the periodical soot regeneration of DPF. A model of soot regeneration is established in this paper to describe the effects of ash deposits on exhaust condition and heat transfer. Mass, momentum, and energy balances are considered for the multiphase system of gas, soot, and wall. The good agreement with experimental data confirms that the model is able to describe the processes. The axial patterns of wall temperature and soot regeneration rate during DPF regeneration are investigated by numerical simulation. Results indicate that the deposited ash layer reduces the exhaust flow rate and increases the heat conduction resistance during DPF regeneration, thus leading to high wall temperature and soot oxidation rate. When 5 g/L of ash is deposited, the complete oxidation of soot can be achieved 90 s faster with a 60 ∘C increase in wall temperature. The gain on soot oxidation rate increases with increasing amounts of deposited ash and reaches a plateau when the deposited ash approaches 15 g/L. Owing to the sintering and melting of ash when the temperature reaches 900 ∘C and the consequent uncontrolled regeneration, the soot carrying capacity should be identified based on the amount of deposited ash within DPF.