Diesel particulate filters (DPF) play a crucial role in reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines. Over time, these filters become clogged with soot and ash, negatively affecting the engine and the vehicle's performance. If your vehicle is used for commercial purposes, a clogged DPF can significantly increase your operational expenses. Regular cleaning and maintenance of DPFs are necessary to ensure optimal engine performance and compliance with emission standards.
What are the existing methods for cleaning diesel particulate filters (DPF)?
Thermal Method:
One of the most common methods for cleaning DPFs is thermal regeneration. During thermal regeneration, accumulated soot is burned off by raising the filter's temperature to a point where the soot particles oxidize and turn into ash. This cleaning method is integrated into the operating process of modern diesel engines. The engine control unit injects additional fuel into the exhaust system under certain driving conditions, increasing the exhaust gas temperature and promoting active soot oxidation. Additionally, there are stationary installations where the soot is burned off. The main drawback of this method is the inability to remove the ash from the filter, so in stationary installations, it is used as one stage of the cleaning process.
Chemical Method:
Chemical cleaning of the particulate filter is the most common and quite effective method for removing soot and other contaminants. It involves the use of specialized cleaning agents that break down and dissolve accumulated particles. Depending on the composition, the cleaning agent can be applied in two ways:
- In the first method, the agent is injected into the filter without removing it from the vehicle. The agent is sprayed into the filter through the pressure sensor hole, after which the vehicle is put into DPF regeneration mode.
- In the second method, the DPF is removed from the vehicle, and the cleaning agent is poured into it. After a certain waiting time, the cleaning agent is drained from the filter, and then the filter is rinsed with water. This way, chemically weakened soot and ash are easily washed out of the filter.
Although this method is effective, it has one significant drawback - the use of highly active chemicals. As a result, on the one hand, we clean the DPF to protect the environment from harmful vehicle emissions. On the other hand, we drain chemically active and hazardous substances into the sewage system or burn them in the vehicle's exhaust. In short, it is a peculiar way of caring for the environment.
Pneumatic Method:
The pneumatic cleaning method, also known as compressed air cleaning, uses high-pressure air blasts to dislodge and remove trapped particles from the filter. The sudden release of high-pressure air creates turbulence inside the filter, shifting the soot and pushing it out. This method is often combined with other methods for better cleaning results.
Ultrasonic Method:
The ultrasonic cleaning method utilizes ultrasonic waves to agitate a cleaning solution and remove accumulated soot from the filter. The DPF is immersed in a tank filled with a specialized cleaning liquid or water. Ultrasonic transducers generate high-frequency sound waves that create tiny bubbles in the liquid. These bubbles burst near the filter walls and cavities, creating microscopic pressure waves that dislodge and remove trapped particles.
Although effective, this method can be costly, and the equipment may not be suitable for all types of DPFs, such as those in passenger cars.
Hydraulic Method:
The hydraulic cleaning method utilizes water to flush out accumulated soot and ash from the filter. By connecting the DPF to a water source and applying pressure, solid particles are dislodged from the filter. Similar to the pneumatic method, this method is often used in combination with other methods, mostly chemical cleaning.
Which method is used in the MS900 stand?
In the MS900 stand for DPF cleaning, we employ a combined hydro-pneumatic cleaning method. This approach ensures high-quality DPF cleaning, low cost, and absolute environmental safety.
If you want to learn more about the MS900 stand, feel free to contact us via messenger or call us at +38 063 745 19 68 (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), or read the following articles about the MS900 stand.
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