Performance of radial-type metal foam diesel particulate filters

An analytical study of the performance of a radial-type, metal foam diesel particulate filter is reported. A mathematical model for the filtration and regeneration of soot in a metal foam filter was developed. Nickel foam was selected for the filter medium due to its large specific area, high porosity, and high thermal resistance. For various metal foams, the filtration efficiency and the pressure drop through the filter were calculated, as was the deposition of soot. The results from the analytical model were compared with experimental data. In comparison with a conventional wall flow filter, the metal foam diesel particulate filter (DPF) is effective in utilizing the volume of material, due to the porous structures. As the size of the metal foam pores in the DPF increases from 580 µm to 800 µm, the filtration efficiency decreases from 90% to 50%, and the pressure drop decreases from 380 mbar to 20 mbar. The metal foam DPF with a large pore size is effective in utilizing the volume of material with a small pressure drop. The regeneration is completed within four minutes by the flow of hot exhaust gases under full load conditions.