Kinetic study and modelling of diesel particulate filter regeneration

Abstract A mathematical model has been developed which enables a ranking of catalysts, taking the influence of the heating rate on the ignition temperature of diesel soot into consideration. It simulates a coupled system of heat transfer and reaction in the filter, using estimated kinetic parameters. With the aid of this model many of the observations, e.g. the ignition point, the temperature and concentration profiles, as well as the reaction course, can be simulated well. Furthermore, an exploratory study has been made to determine the kinetic parameters for both the thermal and the catalysed regeneration of diesel soot traps under simulated exhaust conditions. The magnitudes of the activation energies and the frequency factors correspond well with the magnitude of the ignition temperatures. This is due to the compensation effect.