The nature of school bus operations, with multiple stops and starts and short urban journeys means that these vehicles are some of the most susceptible to DBF blockage issues, while the fact that they are providing transport for children means that they need to maintain the highest standards in terms of emissions. This can pose a very significant problem for many school bus operators who can often find it increasingly difficult to maintain their vehicles and keep emissions low.

A major school bus operator in the US has found a simple solution to the problem in the shape of JLM Lubricants’ Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaner. The company has found that by using the cleaner its vehicles are able to achieve DPF regeneration at much lower temperatures, thus reducing performance issues and significantly cutting vehicle downtime, whilst also achieving the low emission required.
  
Diesel particulate matter poses a serious health risk according to the US EPA. It aggravates asthma and allergies or can cause other serious health problems including lung cancer. To reduce exposure of harmful emissions exposure to children on school buses in New England the school bus operator installed full-wall DPFs. However, these DPFs began to clog with soot in the low temperature short journey environment. The clogged filters lead to back pressure, poor engine performance and lower fuel efficiency, increasing overall fleet operations costs.

Removal of the DPF and cleaning proved costly and time consuming. but the bus operator found a solution with JLM DPFC. The unique solution makes regeneration possible at, achievable, lower operating temperatures which dramatically reduced or eliminated cleaning requirements. The complete regeneration of even dry soot from the EGR engines dropped backpressure from 5 psi to 0.5 psi. It also increases the rate and completeness of combustion, thereby lowering the amount of engine-out soot by as much as 25%. This helped maintain a cleaner DPF longer, based on decreased loading. More complete combustion and less backpressure also improved fuel economy.

JLM Lubricants says its Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaner can also provide solutions for any other type of vehicle faced with DPF issues. It is available from stockists nationwide.