Micro-scale Modeling of Diesel Particulate Filters: Progress and Current Challenges

Mark  Stewart, PNNL

A fundamental challenge in the modeling Diesel Particulate Filters lies in the broad range of size scales involved. Even the most sophisticated device scale models must make simplifying assumptions about the nature of filtration and regeneration mechanisms at the pore scale. Lattice-Boltzmann flow simulations have been used to simulate soot deposition within the porous microstructure of DPF substrates. New studies explore the impact of pore size and shape on filtration performance. Current work involving the role of soot layer defects in regeneration will also be discussed. It is hoped that micro-scale simulations can lead to improvements in larger scale DPF models, but industry involvement will be crucial in connecting pore-scale studies with important device-scale phenomena.