Numerical Simulation of Soot Trapping Process and Manufacturing of Three-Way Catalyzed Membrane Filter

Abstract

Soot trapping on GPF, TWC Membrane fabrication on GPF, and soot trapping on TWC membrane have been studied using computer numerical simulation. The results of pressure drop, filtration efficiency, and morphology visualization satisfied the experimental results. The simulation could clarify the trapping phenomena up to 3D-nanoscale resolution, which overcame an experimental limitation. Visualization revealed the particles first trapped on the substrate generating a dendrite structure at the constricted area. Then, it expanded by accumulating flying particles until the bridge structure was completed, which is the same point of 100% filtration efficiency that proved the hypothesis from the experiment.

Numerical Design of Granular Support for Three-Way Catalyzed Solid- and Porous-Particles Membrane Filters

“…A previous study showed a drastic increase in pressure drop during membrane fabrication on a conventional particulate filter. This occurred in the bridging and pore deposition phases, similar to soot trapping behavior [ 5 , 7 , 8 ]. As a result, it reflects that a conventional GPF is not the best-optimized support for a membrane filter.…”

“…Simulations of membrane fabrication and soot trapping conducted in this study followed a previous study [ 5 ]. Generally, each simulation involves several filtration iterations.…”

“…In a practical experiment, a porous-particle three-way catalyst (TWC) membrane was fabricated by depositing porous particles ranging in size from 1 µm to 1.5 µm using a membrane fabrication process similar to that described in a previous study [ 5 ]. Each of these particles was composed of solid and porous components.…”

“…The most drastic pressure drop increase occurred during the bridge formation and pore filtration phases [ 4 ], where soot accumulates inside the pores until completely filling them. Consequently, to address the issue of the drastic increase in pressure drop, a novel approach was proposed involving the use of a three-way catalyzed (TWC) membrane [ 5 ]. This membrane, comprised of sub-micron-scale particles, was fabricated onto a conventional GPF.…”