Degradation resistance of silicon carbide diesel particulate filters to diesel fuel ash deposits

A series of experiments were conducted to investigate chemical interactions between silicon carbide (SiC) and synthetic ash compositions expected to be deposited on the surfaces and within the pore structure of a diesel particulate filter. The chosen ash compositions simulated those arising from lubricants and three fuel types: standard diesel, diesel containing ferrocene as a catalytic additive, and diesel containing a cerium-based catalyst. Results demonstrated that SiC suffered little chemical or oxidative degradation in the presence of the ashes at 900 °C. For the ash not containing Fe or Ce, ash sintering effects were a possible mechanism causing filter blockage at temperatures above 970 °C. For ashes containing Fe or Ce, appreciable sintering effects were not observed below 1100 °C. Based upon the work conducted the suitability of SiC as a construction material for diesel particulate filters is not compromised by chemical degradation in the presence of lubricant/additive derived ash at temperatures less than 1100 °C.