Diesel Particulate Filter

The diesel particulate filter is important to the diesel engine because it removes any contaminants from exhaust gases. Additional benefits are that it enhances the vehicle's fuel economy and reduces emission levels.

Diesel filter history

Diesel particulate filtering was first introduced in the 1970s due to the rising concerns of inhaled particulates. They were mainly used on non-road machines and automobiles. The filter was created due to the rule to cap emissions on diesel vehicles.

Mode of action

The wall-flow diesel filters remove about 85% of the soot, while in some cases they can remove close to 100%. Certain filters are only good for single-use and intended for disposal, while others are made to burn off the particulate that has gathered. More modern diesel engines in combination vehicles execute a feature called parked regeneration, where the engine increases the RPM and the temperature of the exhaust.

The diesel engine generates a lot of particles during the combustion process due to the fuel/air mix and the incomplete combustion. The configuration of the particles depends on the engine type and emission specification the engine is supposed to require.

Common issues with a diesel particulate filter

A faulty diesel particulate filter can lead to a loss of engine performance and poor fuel economy which will cause the vehicle to stall.