Impact of FAME content on the regeneration frequency of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs)

Modern diesel vehicles utilize two technologies that have been motivated by recent European legislation: diesel fuel blends containing Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF). Oxygenates, like FAME, are known to reduce PM formation in the combustion chamber and reduce the amount of soot that must be filtered from the engine exhaust by the DPF. This effect is also expected to lengthen the time between DPF regenerations and reduce the fuel consumption penalty that is associated with soot loading and regeneration. This study investigated the effect of FAME content, up to 50% v/v (B50), in diesel fuel on the DPF regeneration frequency by repeatably running a Euro 5 multi-cylinder bench engine over the NEDC until a specified soot loading limit had been reached. The results verify the expected reduction of engine-out PM emissions with increasing FAME content and the reduction in fuel consumption penalty associated with reducing the frequency of DPF regenerations.