The car makers have begun concentrating on minimizing the greenhouse emissions coming from the tailpipes of the vehicles since the advent of more stringent BS6 emission requirements. All vehicles—petrol or diesel—have cut back when it comes to reducing automobile emissions. However, diesel needs more attention because it is more detrimental to the environment. Here comes the adoption of PDF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction). But most diesel cars produced after implementing the BS6 emission norms come with a PDF.
So, today let’s look at a PDF and how it works. Also, is PDF necessary?
What is a PDF (Diesel Particulate Filter)?
This prevents soot and particulate matter from entering the atmosphere and causing health problems. Before it pollutes the air, the PDF stops the engine’s emissions through tiny fibres inside the housing and filters out pollutants. The “Regeneration” step of clearing the PDF begins when it is full. Depending on how much soot or particulate matter is present in the filter, the vehicle’s computer decides when to regenerate the PDF.
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By changing the timing of the engine and the amount of fuel injected, the engine computer will increase the exhaust temperature. As a result, the trapped soot and particle matter are burned to ash at a temperature of about 650 c in the PDF.
How Does PDF Work?
Cellular ceramic honeycomb filters with channels plugged at alternate ends are the most typical diesel particulate filters in general use. The exhaust containing soot is forced to flow through the porous filter walls by the ends of the filter that are blocked in a checkerboard pattern. The soot particles are retained in the filter pores and a layer on top of the channel walls, whereas the exhaust gas can pass through the walls.
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The honeycomb design, also known as a wall-flow filter, is the industry standard for most diesel exhaust filtration applications because it maximizes filtration area while minimizing pressure losses. Ceramic materials are frequently utilized for particulate filters, given their excellent thermal stability. The most used ceramic materials are cordierite, silicon carbide, and aluminium titanate.
Are there any problems with the PDF?
The most fundamental problem with PDF is that it becomes blocked due to soot buildup over time. An orange light will typically display on your dashboard when the filter clogs or a system issue occurs. Depending on the manufacturer, this light may look different.
If this illuminates, your filter is probably blocked and may need to be regenerated. Short distances travelled at moderate speeds are frequently the source of clogged diesel particle filters. The requirements for the filter to self-clean are not met by vehicles travelling short distances at low speeds. Well, how to clean it, then?
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Simple, You should take the car for a long journey (40–60 minutes) on a highway. The engine must reach a specific combination of predefined engine rpm, engine temperature, and vehicle speed for regeneration.
And that was all about the PDF. Let us know in the comments section if you had a choice between a car with a petrol engine or a diesel engine; what would you pick?
