Eberspaecher to Launch Mass Production of Gasoline Particulate Filters

Eberspaecher Exhaust Technology has announced it will shortly begin mass production of exhaust systems having gasoline particulate filters (GPF). Filters with this technology will reduce the the soot particle content in the exhaust gas to quantities that are well below the legal limit. Thus, the exhaust systems will be able to conform to the Euro 6 emissions standards, which are likely to come into effect soon. Eberspaecher plans to launch mass production of these exhaust systems in May for supply to many leading German and other European automotive manufacturers. In the future, the new particulate filters will be available for all gasoline vehicles in all classes.

Based on the current scenario, Euro 6 emissions standard are scheduled to come into effect for all new type-certified passenger cars within the European Union in September 2017. Some of the provisions of the updated standard include a reduction in particulate limits for gasoline vehicles with direct fuel injection engines. Almost 50 per cent of gasoline vehicles have this type of engine, because the direct fuel injection technique saves fuel, thus minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. The main drawback of this method, however is that causes increased emissions of soot particles. The new gasoline particulate filters neutralize that effect by filtering the soot particles out of the exhaust gas flow, according to Eberspaecher. The filters also come with technology to minimize the vehicle’s exhaust noise.

Speaking about the new kind of exhaust systems, Dr. Thomas Waldhier, chief executive officer of Eberspaecher Exhaust Technology said, “As a pioneer in exhaust gas technology, our innovation and technology is helping to create environmentally sustainable mobility for tomorrow’s world. Our gasoline particulate filters will substantially reduce exhaust emissions, and so improve air quality.”

Eberspaecher Exhaust Technology developed the exhaust system on the basis of the tried and proven technology of the diesel particulate filter. It uses highly porous and extremely heat-resistant cordierite-ceramic material. The soot particles are automatically deposited on the porous surface, and this significantly reduces emissions. As the exhaust gas temperatures are higher, the soot particles on the filter are continually burned off by the hot exhaust gas from the combustion chamber. Hence, vehicles having these new exhaust systems will not need active regeneration as in the case of conventional diesel vehicles.