Plasma Burner for Active Regeneration of Diesel Particulate Filter

This study proposes a diesel particulate filter system to remove particulate matter (PM) from diesel engines. Filters should be periodically burned (regenerated) to remove PM. In the proposed system, a plasma burner is utilized for filter regeneration. The plasma burner avoids the drawbacks of the electric heater and full-flow-type diesel burner by successively discharging and partially oxidizing the fuel, which produces hydrogen for flame stabilization under all revolution per minute and load conditions. The proposed system was verified by field testing three different vehicles for over 20,000 km. The field test results confirmed successful PM removal and the simultaneous removal of other emissions such as CO, NOx, and hydrocarbons. The plasma burner is applicable to the thermal management of emission control systems for both retrofitted and original equipment manufacturer cars.