Rußpartikelfilter

Rußpartikelfilter, often abbreviated as DPF, is a device installed in the exhaust system of diesel engines to reduce particulate matter emissions. These filters are designed to capture soot and other fine particles that are a byproduct of diesel combustion. The DPF works by physically trapping these particles as they pass through a ceramic or metallic filter structure.

Over time, the trapped soot accumulates and can block the filter, leading to increased exhaust backpressure. To address this, DPFs employ a regeneration process. This process can be passive, where high exhaust temperatures during normal driving burn off the soot, or active, where the engine control unit intentionally raises exhaust temperatures to initiate the burning of accumulated soot.

The introduction of DPFs has been a significant factor in meeting increasingly stringent emissions regulations for diesel vehicles, particularly in Europe. While they effectively reduce visible smoke and harmful fine particulate matter, they also add complexity and cost to diesel vehicles and can sometimes impact fuel economy or require specific maintenance. The effective functioning of a DPF relies on proper engine operation and periodic regeneration cycles.