Why do we need Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration?

• New regulations require diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to be upgraded to reduce emissions.

• Newer heavier trucks and buses must meet PM filter requirements beginning January 1, 2012.

• Lighter and older heavier trucks must be replaced starting January 1, 2015. By January 1, 2023, nearly all trucks and buses will need to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent.

2012 - EPA exempted emergency vehicles from certain requirements relating to DPF systems. This allows no loss of power, or power disruption due to regeneration needs.

How does Diesel Particulate Filter

Regeneration work?

Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Process

See video posted to Blackboard to review the filter regeneration process.

• Wall-flow diesel particulate filters (DPF) usually remove 85% or more of the soot, and under certain conditions can attain soot removal efficiencies approaching 100%.

• Regeneration systems are designed to burn off the accumulated particulate either passively through the use of a catalyst or by active means such as a fuel burner which heats the filter to soot combustion temperatures.

This is accomplished by engine programming to run (when the filter is full) in a manner that elevates exhaust temperature in conjunction with an extra fuel injector in the exhaust stream that injects fuel to react with a catalyst element to burn off accumulated soot and convert it to ash where it is stored in the DPF filter, or through other methods. This is known as "filter regeneration".

DPF Regeneration Modes Passive:

• naturally occurs when duty cycle (normal driving) provides heat

• Any activity where exhaust heat increases above 572º F (mobile)

• Normally occurs when engine is over 50% load

Active: • Engine Control Module (ECM) modifies engine

exhaust temperature by dosing diesel fuel • Mobile (automatic) • Manual (operator initiated)

Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration System Terms

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF): Exhaust filter where soot is accumulated. Diesel Exhaust Fluid/Urea (DEF): Additive injected into the exhaust system. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR): Catalyst that mixes the soot with the DEF to burn off.

What apparatus have DPF systems?

2012 or later Dodge 4500 Squads

2012 or later KME TDA Quints

2012 or later KME Engines

DPF Maintenance (Dodge Squad)

Use left-side steering wheel buttons to scroll up and down through the menu screen on the dashboard to Vehicle Info.

Use steering wheel buttons to scroll to the right. Dashboard display has fluid level indicators. Scroll up and down to find this DEF Fluid Level screen.

DEF levels should be checked daily.

DEF fluid reservoir = 8 gallons.

When DEF fluid levels drop below 60% on Dodge Squads, an entire 2 ½ gallon bottle of DEF can be added.

DPF Maintenance (KME)

The DEF level on KME Engines and Quints can be found on the fuel gauge, below the needle.

DEF fluid reservoir = 5 gallons.

When DEF levels fall below 50%, an entire 2 ½ gallon bottle of DEF can be added.

DEF fluid begins to degrade and crystallize once a bottle is open. Utilizing an entire bottle is strongly encouraged.

Save empty DEF bottles and send them to fleet services/shops via utility for refilling.

DPF Operator Switches (KME)

KME Regen Request & Regen Inhibit Switches

The Regen Request and Regen Inhibit switched are located behind the steering column near the floorboard on all 2012 & up engines & quints.

Regen Request (switch on left) allows you to manually start an Exhaust Regeneration. (Momentary switch, hold to engage) Regen Inhibit (switch on right) allows you to cancel or stop an Exhaust Regeneration. (2 way switch)

Regeneration Inhibit Situations

The DPF regeneration process uses heat to burn off soot. This may be un-desirable in certain situations.

Driving through or parked in flammable or combustible vegetation.

Close proximity to flammable or combustible liquids.

Engine or Quint attached to diesel exhaust systems. High temperatures could damage or melt exhaust hoses.

Automatic Inhibit

The DPF regeneration process is automatically disabled when engines or quints are in pump (main & road) or when ladder power is engaged on quints.

KME Regen Request & Regen Inhibit Switches

If DPF regeneration has been inhibited manually, be sure to return the switch to it’s normal position when appropriate.

What do the DPF System gauges and

warning lamps mean?

High Exhaust System Temperature (HEST) Lamp Indicates an active regeneration is underway

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Lamp Indicates need for assistance in achieving

regeneration

Check Engine Lamp Indicates normal operation no longer possible, service required

Stop Engine Lamp Indicates that system damage has

occurred or is imminent, the engine should be stopped as soon as practical

Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration High Exhaust Lamp • Turns on: at the first onset of Active Regen (catalyst

warmup) • Turns off: after Active Regen has ended; and

temperature has dropped to normal levels

DPF Lamp • Turns on (Solid): Based on soot level and to notify

operator that a Regen is needed • Lamp Flashes: At higher soot levels • Turns off:

– During Passive Regen when conditions support – During Active Regen:

• When ECM Regen is initiated; or • When Manual Regen is initiated

Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Indicators

Auto Low Medium High Extreme

Situation Normal Operation •Passive or Filling •Active Regen Not Needed

Action Required None

Empty

Increasing Soot Load

Soot Level w/ corresponding Dash Lights HEST Lamp DPF Lamp Check Engine Stop Engine

Auto Low Medium High Extreme

Situation Normal Operation •Passive or Filling •Active Regen Not Needed •Manual Regen Available

Action Required None

Empty

Increasing Soot Load

Soot Level w/ corresponding Dash Lights HEST Lamp DPF Lamp Check Engine Stop Engine

Auto Low Medium High Extreme

Situation Normal Operation •Conditions now permit an Active Regen

•Active Regen Underway

Action Required None

Empty

Increasing Soot Load

Soot Level w/ corresponding Dash Lights HEST Lamp DPF Lamp Check Engine Stop Engine

Auto Low Medium High Extreme

Situation Regen needed (low) •Active Regen As Conditions Permit

•Manual Regen Available

Action Required • Ensure Regen Inhibit Switch is off • Alter “duty cycle” (highway

driving) for 20 minutes or • Perform parked regeneration

Empty

Increasing Soot Load

Soot Level w/ corresponding Dash Lights HEST Lamp DPF Lamp Check Engine Stop Engine

Auto Low Medium High Extreme

Situation Regen needed (medium) •Active Regen As Conditions Permit

•Manual Regen Available

Action Required • Ensure Regen Inhibit Switch is

off • Alter “duty cycle” (highway

driving) for 20 minutes or • Perform parked regeneration

Empty

Increasing Soot Load

Soot Level w/ corresponding Dash Lights HEST Lamp DPF Lamp Check Engine Stop Engine

FLASHING

Auto Low Medium High Extreme

Situation Regen needed (high) •Active regen as conditions permit

•Manual regen available

Immediate action required • Ensure regen inhibit switch

is off • Immediately perform parked

regeneration (See video)

Empty

Increasing Soot Load

Soot Level w/ corresponding Dash Lights HEST Lamp DPF Lamp Check Engine Stop Engine

FLASHING

Auto Low Medium High Extreme

Situation Regen needed (extreme) •Mobile Active Regen Disabled

•Manual Regen Available

Immediate action required • Stop engine when safe to do

so • Engine will not re-start and will

require service (contact area/duty mechanic)

Empty

Increasing Soot Load

Soot Level w/ corresponding Dash Lights HEST Lamp DPF Lamp Check Engine Stop Engine

FLASHING

Auto Low Medium High Extreme

Situation Regen needed (extreme) •Mobile Active Regen Disabled

•Manual Regen Available

Immediate action required • Stop engine when safe to do

so • Engine will not re-start and will

require service (contact area/duty mechanic)

Empty

Increasing Soot Load

Soot Level w/ corresponding Dash Lights HEST Lamp DPF Lamp Check Engine Stop Engine

FLASHING

Director of Training Battalion Chief Derek Alkonis

LACoFD Training Services Section (323) 881-2436