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Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Pore Size Distribution on Nano-particle Capture Efficiency Within Ceramic Particulate Filters

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Abstract

The effect of the pore size distribution on size-resolved filtration efficiency was investigated for two ceramic particulate filters using particulate matter (PM) generated by a spark-ignition direct-injection engine fueled with gasoline. The cordierite filter tested had a porosity of 43%, a median pore diameter of 12 μm, and a wide pore size distribution with a lognormal standard deviation (σ′) of 0.4. The aluminum titanate filter had very similar porosity, median pore diameter, and thickness, but significantly narrower pore size distribution (σ′ = 0.1). The testing of two filters under identical experimental conditions enabled the impact of the pore size distribution on filtration performance to be evaluated. Filtration experiments were performed focusing on just the filter wall, starting from a clean filter until the transition to cake filtration (filtration efficiency > 99%). Time-resolved particle size distribution measurements were used to evaluate the progression of filtration performance and estimate trapped mass within the filter. The aluminum titanate filter, with a narrow pore size distribution, exhibited significantly better diffusion capture efficiency. The negative impact of higher flow velocity on diffusion capture efficiency was more pronounced for a narrower pore size distribution. Flow distributions measured using capillary flow porometry were used to develop a cylindrical pore flow model to understand the impact of the differences in pore size distribution on observed trends in diffusion capture efficiency within a clean filter. The model predicted a larger impact of superficial velocity on capture efficiency for filters with narrower pore size distributions as seen from the experiments. The experimental results and data demonstrate that the bubble point diameter and width of the pore size distribution significantly influence diffusion capture efficiencies for filters with very similar median pore diameter, porosity, and thickness.

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Data Availability

Data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author [VS] on request.

Abbreviations

CAD:

crank angle degrees

CFP:

capillary flow porometry

CoV:

coefficient of variation

CPMA:

centrifugal particle mass analyzer

CT:

computed tomography

DMA:

differential mobility analyzer

EEPS:

engine exhaust particle sizer

EFA:

exhaust filtration analysis system

EOI:

end of injection

FE:

filtration efficiency

GDI, :

gasoline direct ignition

GPF:

gasoline particulate filter

IMEP:

indicated mean effective pressure

IPSD:

integrated particle size distribution

LEP:

liquid extrusion porosimetry

LIP:

liquid intrusion porosimetry

MIP:

mercury intrusion porosimetry

PFD:

partial flow diluter

PM:

particulate matter

PSD:

particle size distribution

SIDI:

spark-ignition direct-injection

SMPS:

scanning mobility particle spectrometer

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Acknowledgments

The authors would also like to thank the filter manufacturers for providing the wafer samples used in the present study.

Funding

This work was funded by General Motors through the Collaborative Research Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Engine Research Center and the US Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Vehicle Technology Office.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engine Research Center, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Sandeep Viswanathan & David A Rothamer

  2. Environmental Technologies, Corning Inc., Corning, NY, USA

    Sandeep Viswanathan

  3. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA

    Mark L Stewart

Authors
  1. Sandeep Viswanathan
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Correspondence to Sandeep Viswanathan.

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Viswanathan, S., Stewart, M.L. & Rothamer, D.A. Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Pore Size Distribution on Nano-particle Capture Efficiency Within Ceramic Particulate Filters. Emiss. Control Sci. Technol. 7, 26–40 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40825-021-00184-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40825-021-00184-4

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