FST completes fleet tests of RF-DPF particulate filter sensing technology

16 November 2013

Filter Sensing Technologies, Inc. (FST) announced successful fleet testing of its diesel particulate filter sensors, RF-DPF™. The sensing technology uses radio frequencies to directly measure the amount and distribution of soot and ash in diesel particulate filters.

The fleet testing was conducted in conjunction with the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), on trucks equipped with Mack MP-7 diesel engines. Urban drive cycles are among the most challenging applications for conventional diesel particulate filter control systems, given the relatively low exhaust temperatures and exhaust flow rates over much of the duty cycle. The RF-DPF system evaluated at DSNY consisted of a combined sensing and control unit mounted adjacent to the DPF and exhaust stack, as well as two radio frequency antennas installed in the filter housing. Results to date indicate considerable potential to reduce the regeneration duration and also to eliminate unnecessary regenerations.

Direct measurement of filter soot levels enables optimization of the DPF regeneration process, which can provide fuel savings and reducing thermal cycling and aging of the filter. The RF-DPF technology is applicable to filter materials that dot not absorb radio frequency, such as cordierite. DPF system maintenance and total cost of ownership also benefits from the direct measurement of ash accumulation using FST’s RF sensing technology, said FST.

The fleet testing and RF sensor development is part of a program supported by the U.S. Department of Energy to demonstrate new innovations that achieve breakthrough thermal efficiencies while meeting federal emission standards for passenger and commercial vehicles. Four projects were selected under this program and include projects at General Motors, Eaton, Mahle Powertrain, and FST. In addition to fleet testing at DSNY, Filter Sensing Technologies is working with Corning, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, FEV, and Daimler Trucks North America as part of this project.

Source: FST