Apparatus ReginOak Island Fire Department

What Is Regeneration?

What Is Regeneration?

What Is Regeneration?

During the past two decades, the EPA has worked with diesel engine manufacturers to reduce emissions, specifically focusing on NOx and particulate matter (PM)-unburned hydrocarbons from the fuel that pass through the engine into the exhaust stream

What Is Regeneration?

The standards implemented in 2007 (EPA07) included a 90 percent reduction in allowed PM. To achieve that level, heavy-duty engine manufacturers included a diesel particulate filter (DPF) as part of the certified engine installation starting in 2007

What Is Regeneration?

The DPF is a canister that replaces the typical muffler. In addition to providing the necessary reduction in exhaust noise, there is also a ceramic matrix in the canister that captures particulate matter in addition to a catalyst to aid in the regeneration process

What Is Regeneration?

Over time, as the PM accumulates in the filter, the backpressure increases. Eventually, it becomes necessary to clear out the accumulated PM to maintain an acceptable level of backpressure

What Is Regeneration?

Regeneration is the process of clearing out the PM from the filter

What Is Regeneration?

There are subtle differences from one manufacturer to another, but the basic process is to increase the exhaust temperature enough to burn off the accumulated PM

The majority of fire apparatus built with EPA07 certified heavy-duty engines were equipped with a DPF. All fire apparatus built with EPA10 or later certified engines are equipped with a DPF. Any apparatus with a DPF will require regeneration.

Regeneration TypesThere are two main classifications for regeneration: passive and active

Passive Regeneration

When a diesel engine operates at significant load and speed, there is a considerable amount of heat energy passed through to the exhaust system. If the temperature of the exhaust is high enough, some of the PM present in the DPF will burn off on its own. This is passive regeneration.

Fire Apparatus

The duty cycle of most fire apparatus does not provide optimum conditions for passive regeneration, so eventually an active regeneration will be necessary.

Active Regeneration

There are two types of active regeneration: automatic and stationary. Stationary regeneration is also referred to as parked regeneration, high idle regeneration, or nonemission regeneration

Active Regeneration

When an active regeneration is required, the engine controls will look for operating conditions where this can be performed in the background-for example while driving down the road or while in pump mode at a fire scene

Active Regeneration

Regeneration during pump mode is standard on some engines and optional on others. During these conditions (with minimum engine speed, load, and so on), the engine controls will actively initiate regeneration by dosing fuel into the exhaust stream, which then reacts with the catalyst in the aftertreatment device, thereby raising the exhaust temperature and burning off the PM

Active Regeneration

This type of regeneration, which requires no driver intervention, is an automatic regeneration.

Active Regeneration

If the engine does not see the necessary conditions for automatic regeneration, the driver is given warning lights (first the DPF lamp, then the check-engine lamp, and finally the stop-engine lamp) to indicate that the DPF is being loaded and needs to be cleared

Active Regeneration

To initiate a stationary regeneration, the vehicle should be parked outside in a clear area so the exhaust temps do not create secondary problems

Active Regeneration

The operator then sets the park brake and triggers the regeneration by activating the DPF regen switch

Active Regeneration

At this point, the engine speed will increase; fuel will be dosed into the exhaust stream; and, during the next 20 to 45 minutes, the DPF will be cleared of the stored PM.

Regeneration Instructional Video

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnUXJuHbypc&feature=em-share_video_user

When to RegenThe first indication a driver will receive is a solid amber DPF lamp and the digital display will show DPF REGEN RECCOMENDED. If the apparatus is not regenerated at his warning, the next message displayed will say DPF REGEN REQUIRED. If the apparatus is still being operated without being regenerated, the final message will require the apparatus be shut down immediately and the unit must be taken out of service.

Regeneration can not be performed unless the system recommends regeneration, therefor regeneration can not be performed on any routine schedule.