DPG l Particle Filter Test System
Particle Filter Testing
Generating reproducible results from Diesel and Gasoline Particulate Filters using an engine test cell is expensive and time consuming, these drawbacks were the motivation behind creating the Cambustion Particle Filter Testing System (DPG).
After 15 years of development Cambustion DPG is now the system for the complete automated testing of Diesel and Gasoline Particulate Filters.
Based around a Diesel burner and accurate flow bench, the DPG facilitates testing of GPFs and Light, Medium, Heavy and Super-Heavy Duty DPFs at full scale flows and temperatures.
The DPG is used in both Quality Assurance (QA) testing and for R&D applications:
In QA applications, the DPG offers a standard characterization of Δp and filtration efficiency vs soot load; a standardized and automated method for comparing the Soot Mass Limit (SML) and most recently the characterisation of Fresh or Empty filtration efficiency.
In R&D, the DPG offers filter developers a faster and more repeatable comparison of different filter designs and coatings than engine testing, while for vehicle and engine developers it provides fast soot loading of filters for regeneration strategy and calibration development. Optional extras such as online ash doping or particle number measurement upstream and downstream are now available.
The Cambustion DPG Solution
Soot and Ash Loading
The dependence of filter backpressure (Δp) on the soot load is a very important quality control parameter for modern engine control strategies where a backpressure sensor is used in the triggering of filter regenerations. The DPG loads a filter from an empty state and continually monitors Δp and automatically processes the results using loaded and empty weighing of the filter to provide a far better measurement of loading behaviour than is achievable with engine testing.
The DPG package can include an online fuel additive system. The fuel additive system is typically used to dope engine oil into the fuel flow. The mixture of oil and diesel generates ash when burnt. This allows the DPG to load a particle filter with ash during a soot load, clean mode or regen. The DPG is used with a fuel additive system for ash capacity and ash deposition studies.
Regeneration
Control over the inlet conditions allows the DPG to regenerate filters. This can provide a simple means of de-greening filters, regeneration after soot loading tests, or allow more complicated studies such as Soot Mass Limit tests, where the DPG’s improved reproducibility and repeatability offer substantial advantages.
The DPG can generate soot whilst maintaining regeneration conditions within the particle filter, which will test the regen filtration efficiency performance of a filter.
Filtration Efficiency
Particle mass and/or number measurement can be included within a DPG package. Both options include upstream and downstream measurement with automatic calculation of the live filtration efficiency. Empty filtration efficiency can be studied using a small burst of particles, the integrated particle number upstream and downstream are used to calculate a filtration value.
Cold Flow Tests
The DPG can also make cold flow tests, and results may be corrected to any set of reference conditions.
Advantages
Compared with engine testing, the DPG offers significantly improved repeatability and much lower capital and operating costs than an engine test facility: infrastructure requirements are minimal, tests are highly automated and high soot generation rates maximise throughput while minimising fuel and energy consumption.
The DPG allows customers to study the behaviour of a filter without the corresponding difficulties associated with engine tests, avoiding issues such as passive regeneration due to NOₓ and engine / filter interactions due to backpressure.
The DPG can be fitted with a tertiary high temperature electrical heater, allowing burner off warming of particle filters without impacting filter performance.
Applications
For a list of Application Notes which offer detailed guidance on common uses of the DPG, click here.
In production quality assurance applications the DPG allows validation of backpressure characteristics, filtration efficiency and regeneration performance.
In an R&D environment the DPG provides an economic solution with soot and ash loading of filters, catalytic activity comparison between substrates and durability studies. The control software can be easily configured to interface with an array of instruments and analysers to monitor all possible aspects of particle filter behaviour.
Key Application Notes
| Title | Data Type | Download File | Size | Last Updated | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | DPG Repeatability | Data Type | Application note | Download File | dpg007v2-dpg-repeatability.pdf | Size | 213.84 KB | Last Updated | |
| Title | Cold flow DPF testing with the DPG | Data Type | Application note | Download File | dpg-003v2-cold-flow-testing.pdf | Size | 243.36 KB | Last Updated | |
| Title | Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) testing | Data Type | Application note | Download File | dpg012_v2-gpf-testing.pdf | Size | 235.49 KB | Last Updated |
Need more information? Connect to an expert
DPG Brochure
For further information, please download the DPG brochure or contact Cambustion.
DPG Application Summary
Download a brief 2-page summary for an overview of DPG applications.
Dual Simultaneous Diluter Accessory
The dual simultaneous diluter (DSD) system is designed for sampling upstream and downstream of a particulate filter. The DSD can work with one or two CPCs. Dual CPC configuration allows the user to measure the PN filtration efficiency performance in real time
Filter Test Housing accessory for bare brick testing
Cambustion offer a Filter Test Housing (FTH) for use with the DPG. This reusable DPF housing allows an uncanned filter to be fitted to the DPG and loaded / regenerated as required. The filter can be quickly removed for weighing and examination, even at elevated temperatures.
This ability is particularly advantageous in both R&D and Quality Control applications, and allows filters to be tested before coating or other final processes take place.
DPF&GPF Testing Service
Cambustion also offer a filter loading / testing service, using the DPG. For more information please see our Engineering Services pages.
DPF Testing Service
Fundamental DPF performance tests which are becoming the basis for Industry-wide Standards. Cambustion provides a confidential, UK-based testing service to determine these characteristics on behalf of customers using a DPF testing system.
