Infrared thermometry measurement of temperature distribution in the microwave regeneration of diesel particulate filters

Abstract

Infrared thermometry was applied to study the temperature distribution in microwave heating of diesel particulate filters. In situ non-contact temperature measurement tests were conducted using an integrated four-channel fibre-optic infrared temperature measurement and a microwave heating system. Silica light pipes, which are transparent to electromagnetic fields, were used to collect the infrared radiation from specified locations inside a filter during heating. The temporal and spatial temperature distributions in four microwave-heated diesel particulate filters with different soot and catalyst loading conditions were measured. Experimental results show the non-uniform heating inside filters. Catalyst coating, soot loading, and microwave power level all affect the heating rate and temperature distribution. Using 1 kW of microwave power, heating for 600 s can raise the temperature above 200°C in the soot-laden, catalysed filter.