DPF Regeneration: What Does It Mean For Trucks?

DPF or Diesel Particulate Filter regeneration is a vital aspect in the maintenance of performance and efficiency of BS6 diesel trucks. The primary function of the DPF is to trap soot and ash to prevent or reduce harmful emissions. However, over time and usage, it requires cleaning through regeneration in order to remain effective.

In this blog, we take a deep dive into the mechanism of DPF regeneration, working structure of automatic and manual processes and the importance of timely maintenance to avoid engine strain while ensuring cleaner emissions.

A diesel particulate filter, or DPF, is an essential component in diesel-powered BS6 commercial vehicles. It helps in reducing harmful emissions by filtering exhaust gases to trap soot and ash, preventing them from being released into the environment. Over time, the DPF filter can clog, leading to reduced engine performance, fuel efficiency, and more pollutants being discharged.

The DPF regeneration feature burns the accumulated soot and ash to clean the filter and keep your truck’s diesel engine running smoothly. If you’re buying a truck or a fleet owner, understanding the DPF regeneration process and DPF levels can help you reduce pollution and increase engine efficiency or power output.

Clean The DPF Filter For An Efficient DPF Regeneration Process

To understand the working of the DPF filter, the ‘tea strainer’, which everyone uses to pour a refreshing cup of tea, is the best example! You might use the same strainer multiple times, but beyond 2-3 pours, its pores get clogged and need to be cleaned thoroughly so that it can perform its function again.

Similarly, any filter used in your BSVI truck needs to be regularly cleaned, regardless of what it is designed to trap, so that it can continue to perform its function effectively.

Since DPF is also a filter, it has a finite capacity to store soot. And when this accumulation goes beyond a limit, it can start interfering with the flow of exhaust gases. This can lead to higher exhaust back pressure, which will cause a risk of unnecessary wear on your vehicle’s engine.

It will also impact the emission levels. Hence, the DPF filter needs regular maintenance and is cleaned through a process called DPF Regeneration.

During DPF regeneration in progress, the soot is burned away with high temperature in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Regeneration is normally performed automatically while driving, but in certain driving conditions where the required temperature cannot be achieved, it has to be initiated manually.

Automatic DPF Regeneration

The automatic DPF regeneration process happens during driving when the load on the engine is high enough to reach a sufficiently high temperature. Diesel trucks covering longer distances on highways at high speeds and sufficient load and those on a heavy duty cycle, for example climbing a lot of hills, should have no problem in regenerating their DPF automatically.

When you drive continuously for several hours at low engine load or continuously run at idling speed or frequently start or stop due to traffic congestion or cover short trips in the city frequently, regeneration is not initiated automatically. It may be necessary for you to start regeneration manually in these cases.

Manual DPF Regeneration

There’s no such thing as a good time for downtime, especially when it is unexpected. Therefore, one issue the fleet owners and their drivers should know and plan for with BSVI vehicles is the Parked Regeneration or Manual DPF Regeneration process.

A warning light on the cluster will alert the driver about the DPF level in truck and if the filter is blocked. Accordingly, the regeneration needs to be activated manually, which can be started by parking the vehicle in a hazard-free zone with all safety precautions and instructions.