Manufacturers and the ADAC doubt the effectiveness of DPF cleaning. Possible reason: Every cleaning process means a particulate filter of which fewer are produced.

The market for new particle filters probably has a volume in the three-digit million range, and is therefore of significant financial importance. Cleaning soot particle filters offers great savings potential for end customers, but for manufacturers it means a loss in revenue. It is therefore understandable that doubts are voiced about the effectiveness of cleaning particle filters.

A report by the ADAC also voiced similar doubts and did not recommend the cleaning of particulate filters; it suggested that a new diesel filter should be installed instead. The price for a new good-quality filter for a car lies between 1,000 and 4,500 euros. Our flat-rate price for DPF cleaning in a certified procedure, checking the filter with a differential pressure measurement procedure, checking the weight before and after cleaning, and documenting the process is 296.77 euros incl. VAT and all transport costs. Fact is that many companies now offer particle filter cleaning; however, it is difficult to assess the extent of their competence and effective cleaning / testing expertise.  This also applies to the re-welding of the casing, if this has had to be removed for the cleaning process. It may be that certified welders are used, but certainly not by all companies. Also, the quality of the casing is impaired every time it is welded.

Some companies advertise with cleaning methods that are TÜV-certified. As far as we know, the TÜV only certifies the air-flow characteristics of the cleaned soot filter compared to a new filter. This has no bearing on the catalyst capability of the filter. If only a very small compressed air volume is tested or one or several of the filter channels are defective, this means that not even the cleaning results can be established. If in this case the term ‘certified cleaning procedure’ is used, it is simply not true.

On the 02.05.2016, WDR 5 aired a report about the cleaning of particulate filters in which the Institute Director of the Chair for Internal Combustion Engines of a university stated, amongst other things: “In order to clean it, the monolith, that is the ceramic component of the filter, must be completely dismantled. This is, however, wrapped in sheet steel, thus at best one can blow into the tube from the front or the rear but in doing so one does not get it out practically. This means that with cars this option is not really possible”. Anyone who has already seen the ceramic component of a car filter knows that the ceramic is sealed on the radial surfaces. Therefore cleaning from there is not at all possible. Internet research has shown that the Institute Director is at the same time a managing partner of a major company in the field of engine

DPF cleaning system "FilterMaster for cars"

DPF cleaning system “FilterMaster for cars”

technology. Therefore interest in the successful cleaning of particulate filters cannot be definitely assumed. During the further course of the discussion he stated that with flushing, the coating could peel off too. What sort of flushing is concerned was not stated.
When flushing with water, possible damage cannot actually be excluded. Our DPF cleaning system “FilterMaster for Cars” works with a different method.

In cooperation with its affiliate company mycon GmbH (mechanical engineering), Kipp Umwelttechnik GmbH developed the ‘FilterMaster for cars’ procedure within the scope of a ZIM project (financial support from the Federal Ministry of Economics). The project application was initially reviewed in terms of its suitability for subsidisation and chances of technical success. During the two years of the project, the underlying technical principles were created in cooperation with a polytechnic and a university. It then took a further two years to implement these principles into a successful cleaning procedure and the necessary equipment.

After nearly a year of practical testing of the process, mycon initiated the cooperative association FilterMaster DPF. In addition to mycon, FilterMaster DPF constists of the companies Kipp Umwelttechnik GmbH, mycon GmbH and the cooperating partners employ qualified chemists (Masters of Science in Chemistry), mechanical engineers, mechanical engineering technicians and motor vehicle master craftsmen. They purpose to deliver competent work and to competently advise customers – for the most part as a complement to and / or in cooperation with garages.

FilterMaster DPF cleans soot filters incl. VAT and costs for collection and return for a flat-rate price of 296.77 euros. If necessary, and this is seldom, particle filters can also be repaired. In this case the customer is sent a complete and fair quotation. No additional costs will be incurred.

mycon and Kipp Umwelttechnik belong to the Kipp Group that has operated since 1971. Kipp Umwelttechnik was founded in 1991, mycon in 2001. The Group has several certifications and a high double-digit number of patents and patent applications.  It maintains relations to several thousand national and international customer. Even large companies, such as vehicle manufacturers, large suppliers to the automotive industry, aircraft manufacturers, rail companies, and transporters of oil and gas are supplied directly. We apply the same quality standards for cleaning soot particle filters. For quality inspection purposes, we not only use our own measurements, but have also commissioned a university to carry out tests; their tests can be seen on our website www.filtermaster-dpf.com. For the past 18 months, including the trial phase, the method ‘FilterMaster for cars’ has been used successfully to clean particulate filters. There have been no customer complaints about the cleaning quality to date. Depending on the filter type, it takes about 1.5 – 2.5 hours to process the soot filter, including testing and documentation. The actual cleaning time is nine minutes, plus the transport times. These services are also enhanced by the qualified customer service of our master car mechanics.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have any questions prior to the removal of the filter, which should always be carried out by a workshop. Not every problem with the motor can be traced back to the particle filter. Every customer will receive competent and professional support from the cooperative association FilterMaster DPF on request.

We return all undamaged filters we receive from our customers as practically new filters. Filters that are found to be damaged will be returned free-of-charge or disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner as agreed with the customer. Damage may occur e.g. if attempts have been made to clean the filters with water or ‘workshop chemicals’. This may even cause the ceramic to melt or create large-scale fracturing. Please understand that we cannot accept any liability for filters that have been previously cleaned in this way; however, we stand completely behind all of our own work.

 

Press contact:
mycon GmbH/ cooperative association FilterMaster DPF
Jens W. Kipp
Senner Straße 156
D-33659 Bielefeld
E-Mail: j.kipp@mycon.info
Tel.: +49 (0) 521 40 30 90
www.mycon.info