DPG l Particulate Filter Test System
Cambustion Particulate Filter Test System (DPG)
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 Particulate 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 fuelled burner, high power electrical heaters 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:
Some of the well known QA applications the DPG can offer are soot load against filtration efficiency or pressure drop (Volkswagen PV3637), fresh or empty filtration efficiency (Volkswagen PV3637) and spark arrestor testing (EN1834).
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 Loading vs Pressure Drop - PV3637
The DPG is the industry standard tool for characterising the pressure drop vs soot load curve. Used by all major Tier 1 suppliers to OEM manufactures. The Volkswagen PV3637 protocol is based around a Cambustion DPG as the standard test bench for characterising filters.
Ash Poisoning
The DPG package can include online fuel additive system(s). In order to generate Ash, engine oil additive is injected with the diesel fuel directly into the main flame, also at a later stage of combustion to accurately simulate on-engine ash particles. This technique is used to study the ash deposition characteristics, and to quantify ash's effect on aftertreatment performance.
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.
Spark Arrestor Testing - EN1834
In order to safely operate a Heavy Duty combustion engine in a potentially explosive environment, care must be taken in the design of the aftertreatment system to arrest any sparks or particles with potential to ignite. The EN1834 Spark Arrestor Protocol outlines testing procedures for engine aftertreatment systems on-engine and using a flow bench.
The Cambustion Particulate Filter Test System (DPG) can now perform the EN1834 Spark Arrestor Testing protocol. The DPG doses a non-combustible mass of particles into a controlled air flow, generating the conditions stipulated by the standard for a specific engine specification. In combination with a high flow high filtration efficiency filter downstream of the device under test (DUT) the DPG measures the captured mass of aerosol on the DUT. Repeating this procedure at different conditions with different sized aerosols generates the results required to satisfy the EN1834 protocol.
Controlled NOx Generation
The DPG can produced a controlled concentration of NOx by combusting Nitromethane OR breaking down Urea. The choice of what method we would offer depend on your specific application requirements.
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.
