Keeping the diesel particulate filter and air clean
Generators are designed with the capacity to power the entire hotel load at once, but in reality, it’s rare for all systems to run simultaneously. “Generators usually run at just 50 percent load due to lower power demand,” says Daniel van Drunen, manager at Xeamos, which develops emission reduction solutions. “This results in generators emitting soot on yachts.”
It’s essential to be aware of the soot problem caused by unburned carbon. Soot can accumulate on the decks and hull, increasing the crew’s cleaning workload and presenting significant health risks. Particles, particularly at 10 microns, can be inhaled, enter the bloodstream, and cause serious conditions such as cancer. Environmentally, soot contributes to air pollution and can settle into the ocean.
A diesel particulate filter (DPF), made of ceramic material, captures this soot while allowing exhaust gases to pass through. Like other components on board, DPFs require regular cleaning and maintenance, both daily and annually.
As the filter collects soot, it fills up and needs to be cleared by active regeneration, a process where a burner or electric heater heats the filter to burn off the soot. Filters designed by Xeamos come with a controller that monitors pressure and triggers this regeneration automatically, or you can initiate the process manually. After regeneration, what remains is ash, along with microscopic particles from engine wear and fuel contaminants, which need to be removed. Annually, at around 3,000 to 4,000 running hours, you should have the DPF professionally cleaned with compressed air to remove the ash buildup. “They remove them from the vessel and take them to be cleaned by a machine,” Daniel explains. “So what comes out of filter will not be exposed to the environment.” After about three cleanings, the DPF will need to be replaced, as the coating wears off.
DPFs last between 12,000 and 15,000 running hours, depending on engine wear and fuel quality. Keep an eye on older generators, which tend to accumulate soot faster and may need more frequent maintenance. Some filters may last 7,000 hours before needing attention, while older units may require cleaning more often due to heavy soot accumulation.
“We see the best results with DPFs on older yachts,” Daniel notes. “Older engines tend to produce more soot, so the filters are especially effective.”