NCH Europe has launched DPF Protect, a fuel additive designed to reduce the temperature at which soot burns in diesel particulate filters (DPF).
The new product arrives as new Euro-6 legislation has increased demand for DPF servicing. Updated regulations mean redoubled scrutiny of vehicle emissions – in particular the levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM).
Typical solutions until now have included pollution control devices such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems. However, stricter limits on Euro-6 vehicles target ultrafine particulate matter.
“All new trucks need to be equipped with diesel particulate filters to meet Euro-6 regulations,” explained Mark Burnett, Vice-President of Lubricants and Fuel Additives at NCH Europe.
“DPFs are capable of removing up to 95% of harmful PM emissions by trapping and burning off particles in a regeneration process, with temperatures over 550°C.
“However, problems arise in slow-moving, stop-and-go traffic where the DPF cannot achieve the temperatures required for regeneration. This is why we’ve developed DPF Protect, with technology that reduces the required regeneration temperature from 550 to just 400°C. A one-litre bottle added to the fuel tank every six months is all that’s needed for heavy-duty diesel applications, and half a litre for light commercial vehicles and cars.
“As a result, the DPF will use less active regeneration, so it will take longer for dirt to build up and its service life will be increased. Vehicle fuel consumption will decrease and generally drivers will see improvements to vehicle performance, as well as reduced risks of fuel blow by and a lower overall system pressure.”
