Environment & Safety

Diesel particulate filters, diesel oxidation catalysts, diesel exhaust fluid, selective reduction catalysts, and exhaust gas recirculation have been created to protect people and the environment from the known and dangerous particulate matter and gases that are emitted from diesel engines.

FSX puts Safety First

Operator safety is a primary concern at FSX. Cleaning filters has the potential to release dangerous gases and particulate into the shop. The FSX SootSucker™ is a completely contained machine that uses a two-stage filtration system, however, FSX also recommends personal protection equipment and encourages all suggestions to make our products safer for operators and reduce environmental impact.

The following sections provide more information.

The function of the filters of the diesel exhaust system is to process dangerous gasses and particles to keep the air clear of hazardous pollutants. When cleaning these filters it is important to keep that in mind and the following is some of the safety gear that may be required for federal, state, and local regulations.

Consult your local emissions authority for more specific information.

Primary hazards to employees when handling DPFs include, but are not limited to: breathing in hazardous chemicals, absorption of chemicals through the skin, irritants getting into the eyes, and hearing damage from working around loud machines.

If not properly protected, breathing chemicals from diesel exhaust can cause anything from throat and lung irritation to serious health complications.

Breathing Mask/Respirator

Nitrile Gloves

Safety Glasses

Noise Cancelation

Protective Suit

All shops share common health and safety risks. Providing the proper tools and equipment makes cleaning diesel filters more efficient and safe.

Below are some items that will help with that mission.

High-quality dust collection system

Each FSX pneumatic cleaning system comes with the FSX SootSucker. This dust collector uses a two stage filtration system to make sure that the air in the shop is as safe as possible for operators.

Overhead cranes, Jib booms, & FSX TrapTongs

Lifting heavy filters can be harmful to operators. Some filters weigh over 70lbs. Using a crane or jib boom with a winch and the FSX TrapTongs will go a long way to preventing injuries while also protecting the FSX TrapBurner and filter from inadvertent damage that can happen during handling.

Conveyor Belts

Conveyer belts may not make sense for small operations, however high-volume shops would benefit from using a conveyor or roller rack system to safely move heavy filters from one location to the next.

Forklifts & pallet jacks

When multiple filters need to be moved or stored at a time it is recommended that a forklift/pallet jack is used to help keep the walkways clear and move heavy filters in a way that is safe for operators.

Disposal Guides

Soot & Ash Disposal

Ash and soot removed from the diesel particulate filter (DPF) are considered low-level hazardous waste in some states. Check with your local state or environmental agencies before disposal.

Primary Filter Disposal

One of the many advantages of the FSX SootSucker is that around 300 DPFs can be cleaned before the primary filter needs to be cleaned or replaced. FSX encourages checking with local waste management for industrial filter cleaning companies that can provide these services.

When primary filters need to be disposed of it is important to follow local environmental regulations.

Composition of Ash & Soot

Diesel Particulate Filter

Composition that FSX Pneumatic Cleaning Process Does not Damage Washcoats

Ash tested came from three random samples taken at FSX Inc. from the waste bins on the ash collection system. On any given day FSX cleans a wide variety of DPF and catalysts that are manufactured or distributed by numerous OEM’s.

The ash collected in the random samples came from DPF distributed by:

Caterpillar, Cleaire, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, DCL, Donaldson, Ford, Huss, Paccar, and Volvo

 

  • Filters are incoming from multiple customers nationwide using a variety of fuels and lubricants.
  • Approximately 54% of the DPF being cleaned are catalyzed; DOC’s compose approximately 9% of the volume.
  • The elements listed below were found in the form of common oxide compounds.
  • The percentages of each ash element can change from test to test but the list of elements is unlikely to change.

Sorted Alphabetically by Element


Periodic
Symbol
Element name
% by weight

Al
Aluminum 16.200%
Ca
Calcium 17.400%
C
Carbon 17.638%
Co
Cobalt 0.100%
Cr
Chromium 0.480%
Cu
Copper 0.230%
Fe
Iron 8.440%
K
Potassium 2.100%
La
Lanthanum 0.063%
Mg
Magnesium 3.220%
Mn
Manganese 0.130%
Mo
Molybdenum 0.340%
Na
Sodium 4.220%
Ni
Nickel 0.360%
P
Phosphorus 14.000%
Pd
Palladium 0.048%
Si
Silicon 7.170%
Ti
Titanium 0.082%
Zn
Zinc 7.690%
Zr
Zirconium 0.089%
Total 100%

Sorted by % of Weight – High -> Low


Rank Symbol Element % by Weight Cumulative
Percentage

1 C Carbon 17.638% 17.638%
2 Ca Calcium 17.400% 35.038%
3 Al Aluminum 16.200% 51.238%
4 P Phosphorus 14.000% 65.238%
5 Fe Iron 8.440% 73.678%
6 Zn Zinc 7.690% 81.368%
7 Si Silicon 7.170% 88.538%
8 Na Sodium 4.220% 92.758%
9 Mg Magnesium 3.220% 95.978%
10 K Potassium 2.100% 98.078%
11 Cr Chromium 0.480% 98.558%
12 Ni Nickel 0.360% 98.918%
13 Mo Molybdenum 0.340% 99.258%
14 Cu Copper 0.230% 99.488%
15 Mn Manganese 0.130% 99.618%
16 Co Cobalt 0.100% 99.718%
17 Zr Zirconium 0.089% 99.807%
18 Ti Titanium 0.082% 99.889%
19 La Lanthanum 0.063% 99.952%
20 Pd Palladium 0.048% 100.000%
Total 100%
Testing conducted at:
Corning, NY

* Palladium (Pd) is one of the precious metals used in the washcoats. There was no measurable amount of Platinum (Pt). These metals can be released by the DOC upstream or from DPF cell walls if coated. The quantity of Pd found (.048%) was considered inconsequential by the testing lab and the lack of any measurable amount of Pt indicates that the FSX cleaning process does not damage the precious metal washcoats.