Renault Introduces New Diesel Particulate Filter with Post-Injection
05 March 2006
At the Geneva auto show Renault unveiled a new diesel particulate filter with exhaust post-injection. The filter, which will be available during the first half of 2006 on the 85hp and 105hp versions of the 1.5 dCi diesel engine that powers Clio and Modus, allows active regeneration of the particulate filter in all traffic situations, even when the car is at a standstill with the engine idling.
An injector mounted directly in the exhaust pipe enables the regeneration process to operate continuously, making this system suited to urban traffic applications.
Existing particulate filter systems in passenger cars have relied on engine (rather than exhaust) post-injection to enrich the exhaust gas and increase the temperature. This approach, while not requiring the additional exhaust injection hardware of the Renault system, has limitations in conducting filter regeneration at very low engine loads.
The new Renault system enables the particulate filter to be regenerated at all engine speeds and in all traffic situations. Although advantageous under urban driving conditions (involving low speeds, idling at standstill, and frequent starting and stopping), this solution also operates in highway driving since the limitations associated with conventional systems (minimum speed and length of journey prior to regeneration) no longer apply.
Operating independently of the engine’s ordinary fuel injection system, the exhaust-pipe injector is dedicated exclusively to particulate burnoff. The post-injection system has been awarded more than 50 patents.
The exhaust gases leaving the engine pass through a first catalytic converter that treats the carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx
So that means the inherent low C02 of diesel, plus CO and NOX filter and now no particulates either. Not to mention low sulphur fuel availability to reduce emmisions further. All in a 70mpg plus package... hmmm... lets see what the N.American legislators can come up with now to stop this car being sold across the pond?
Posted by: NismoTuned | 09 March 2006 at 08:04 PM