Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration

A diesel particulate filter, or DPF, is an exhaust aftertreatment device that traps particulate matter such as soot and ash. A DPF typically uses a substrate made of a ceramic material that is formed into a honeycomb structure. 

In order to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles, diesel particulate filters capture and store exhaust soot, which must be periodically burned off to regenerate the filter. The regeneration process burns off excess soot deposited in the filter, which prevents harmful exhaust emission and the black smoke you commonly see emitted from diesel vehicles when accelerating.