Characterization of a diesel particle filter

In this study, the analyses of a commercially available diesel particulate filter (DPF) that is specifically used in diesel engine exhaust gas after-treatment systems, were carried out for the identification of the manufacturing processes, determination of the chemical composition, and microstructural analysis, utilizing different characterization techniques. The characterization techniques involved were optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with secondary electron detector (SEM-SE), backscattered electron detector (SEM-BSE), energy dispersive x-ray detector (SEM-EDX), and x-ray diffraction. Microstructural characterization of the DPF was carried out with the optical microscope showing cubic shaped open and closed cells which are evidencing an extrusion based manufacturing technique. Scanning electron microscope (SEM-SE-BSE-EDX) used for the elemental analysis and microstructural determination yielded a structure with silicon and carbon elements, the SiC particles is of the size range 10-50 µm with a sharp edged morphology, and manufactured by reaction bonding sintering. By performing ultimate analysis with XRF device, the results are obtained in furtherance of SEM results. The information about its strength, density, and thermal conductivity has been informed by performing thermal, mechanical and physical experiments. Archimedes principle technique was applied to determine its % total porosity and bulk density. The XRD analysis resulted in the determination of a major phase of SiC. The first stage of the study comprises the local manufacturing of these type of engine system parts. In our country, an important step can be achieved for the production of diesel particle filter by obtaining detailed technical information about it.