Patent ID: 8151557

Claim:
An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine, comprising: a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that is disposed downstream of the engine and that filters particulates in said exhaust; an electrical heater that is disposed upstream of said DPF and that selectively heats said exhaust to initiate combustion of said particulates, wherein heat generated by combustion of said particulates in said heater induces combustion of particulates within said DPF; and a control module that selectively enables current flow to said electrical heater for an initial period of a DPF regeneration cycle, wherein said control module reduces fuel rate and engine speed settings below fuel rate and engine speed settings used during normal idle operation of said engine to limit exhaust flow while said electrical heater is heating to a predetermined soot combustion temperature, wherein, upon startup of the DPF regeneration cycle, the control module increases opening of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve more than an EGR opening used during normal idle operation of said engine.