Ekathai Wirojsakunchai

Office:	ERB B106
Voice:	(608) 263-4772
Fax:	(608) 263-9870
Email:	ekathaiw-at-cae.wisc.edu
Advisor:	Prof. David E. Foster

PhD expected Spring 2008

Project

The main goal of my research is to understand the effects of diesel particulate matter (PM) on the diesel particulate filter (DPF) filtration and regeneration processes. Three different engine operating conditions that result in distinct DPF face velocities and particulate matter properties such as concentration, compositions, and particle size distribution were chosen to represent the various PM characteristics encountered in diesel exhaust. The exhaust instrumentation included simultaneous measurements with an FTIR, TEOM, SMPS, MEXA 1230PM real time particle mass analyzer, real time Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer (EEPS), and Teflon and Quartz fiber filter system, for detailed characterization of the particulate matter in the exhaust. To gain insightful details on PM deposition processes in the DPF, the next step of the analysis will be focused on small wafers (approximately 1”x1”) that are made of the same material as the Cordierite substrate and have similar thickness and pore size distribution as the walls of a full scale DPF. The wafers will be exposed to the exhaust while the paramters that affect DPF filtration efficiency will be fully controlled. Deposition processes of PMs in the wall and on the filter surface will then be evaluated according to changes in the wafer filtration performance.

Long Term Goals

Conduct Researches on Clean Emission Diesel Engine coupled with Aftertreatment System and Establish Automotive Research Center at Kasetsart University, Thailand

Education

Ph.D., U. of Wisconsin-Madison, 2003-currently pursue
M.S. (M.E.). U. of Miami, Coral Gables, Fl 2000
B.Eng. (M.E.), Kasetsart University, Thailand 1995

Experience

Research Fellow, UW-Madison, 2005-current
Research Assistant, UW-Madison, 2004-2005
Teaching Assistant, U. of Miami, 1998-2000
Instructor, Kasetsart Univesity, 1996-2003
Project Engineer, Bangchak Petrolium Public Co., 1995-1996

Publications

Wirojsakunchai, E., Yapaulo, R., and Foster, D., "Impact of Filtration Velocities and Particulate Matter Characteristics on Diesel Particulate Filter Wall Loading Performance", COMODIA 2008, Hokkaido, Japan, July 28-31, 2008 (in preparation)
Wirojsakunchai, E., Kolodziej, C., Yapaulo, R., and Foster, D., "Development of the Diesel Exhaust Filtration Analysis system (DEFA)", SAE 2008 World Congress, Detroit, MI (SAE Paper No. 2008-01-0486)
Wirojsakunchai, E., Kolodziej, C., Yapaulo, R., Schmidt, N., and Foster, D., "Effects of DPF Washcoat Variations on DPF Active Regeneration Characteristics", ICE 2007 8th International Conference on Engines for Automobile, Capri (Napoli), Italy (SAE Paper No. 2007-24-0092)
Kolodziej, C., Wirojsakunchai, E., Schmidt, N., Kamimoto, T., Kawai, T., and Foster, D., "Comprehensive Characterization of Particulate Emissions from Advanced Diesel Combustion", 2007 JSAE/SAE International, Fuel and Lubricants Meeting, Kyoto, Japan (JSAE 20077142 or SAE Paper No. 2007-01-1945)
Schmidt, N., Wirojsakunchai, E., Schroeder, E., Kolodziej, C., Kawai, T., Root, T., and Foster, D., "Detailed Diesel Exhaust Particulate Characterization and DPF Regeneration Behavior Measurements for Two Different Regeneration Systems", SAE 2007 World Congress, Detroit, MI (SAE Paper No. 2007-01-1063)
Wirojsakunchai, E., Schroeder, E., Schmidt, N., Kolodziej, C., Kawai, T., Root, T., and Foster, D., "Detailed Diesel Exhaust Particulate Characterization and Real-Time DPF Filtration Efficiency Measurements during PM Filling Process", SAE 2007 World Congress, Detroit, MI (SAE Paper No. 2007-01-0320)
Wirojsakunchai, E., Schroeder, E., Schmidt, N., Kolodziej, C., Kawai, T., Root, T., and Foster, D., "Effects of Diesel Particulate Matter Composition and Filter Property Variation On Diesel Particulate Filter Performance" Poster Session at Thiesel 2006