πŸ“‹ Case Study

Kubota M8560 β€” DOC Light-Off Failure Leading to Chronic DPF Clogging

DOC never reaching light-off temperature (β‰₯ 250Β°C); downstream DPF accumulating soot without oxidation assistance

πŸ—οΈ Project Overview

Rice farm with frequent low-load irrigation pumping in Arkansas

🎯 Challenge

DOC never reaching light-off temperature (β‰₯ 250Β°C); downstream DPF accumulating soot without oxidation assistance

πŸ”§ Design Approach

Exhaust flow path redesign β†’ added insulated turbo downpipe + repositioned DOC upstream of turbo β†’ enabled exothermic oxidation pre-turbo

πŸ“ Design Diagram

Engine DOC (↓250Β°C) Turbo DPF Clogged Insulated DOC ↑250Β°C +8.3 kW Turbo DPF Clean Design Energy Balance EDOC = 142 kJ Qox = 8.3 kW Failure path Redesigned path Insulation

AI-generated project design illustration

πŸ“ Key Calculations

DOC Light-Off Energy Requirement

E = m_doc Γ— Cp Γ— Ξ”T
Result: 142 kJ
Achievable only with β‰₯ 320Β°C inlet temp at rated load

Exothermic Gain from Pre-Turbo Oxidation

Q_ox = ṁ_fuel Γ— LHV Γ— Ξ·_ox
Result: 8.3 kW
Enables self-sustaining DOC temp above 400Β°C

πŸ“Š Results

DOC light-off achieved within 90 sec of load application; DPF regen frequency dropped from hourly to once per 120 hrs

πŸ’‘ Lessons Learned

  • β€’DOC placement relative to turbo significantly impacts thermal inertia and light-off capability
  • β€’Low-load applications demand DOC thermal managementβ€”not just catalyst formulation

βœ… Key Takeaways

  • 1DOC placement relative to turbo significantly impacts thermal inertia and light-off capability
  • 2Low-load applications demand DOC thermal managementβ€”not just catalyst formulation