PNNL

Abstract

GM Research has provided components and guidance to develop advanced gasoline research engines at the University of Wisconsin’s Engine Research Center (ERC). These research engines have been configured to generate PM from a wide variety of fuels and engine operating conditions. Two campaigns of joint experiments conducted by PNNL and ERC have generated an extensive set of data on particulate size, shape, and composition, using standard gasoline and ethanol blends. The current focus of this project is to develop fundamental understanding of the factors affecting filtration efficiency and back-pressure, in order to promote the development of optimum filtration systems for advanced gasoline vehicles. Filtration experiments will be carried out using a variety of candidate filter substrates having a wide range of properties and different micro-structures. Experiments will include simple lab-generated particles and particulates generated with the gasoline test engines. Filter substrate microstructures will be analyzed using standard and advanced techniques, in an effort to identify length scales and morphological characteristics that correlate with filter performance. First principles micro-scale simulations will be used to refine device-scale modeling tools for better predictions of filtration efficiency.