Pulsed, reverse-flow, regenerated diesel trap capturing soot, ash and PAH's

A diesel soot, ash and PAH trap, comprising:

• a stationary trap having walls defining pores that capture soot, ash and PAH particles therewithin that are generated by diesel exhaust;
• a filtered diesel exhaust output port;
• an unfiltered diesel exhaust inlet port;
• a forward flow path along which said trap is disposed between said unfiltered diesel exhaust inlet port and said filtered diesel exhaust output port;
• a carbon soot, PAH and ash particulate disposal unit;
• a reverse flow path along which said trap is disposed defining upstream and downstream portions along said reverse flow path oppositely directed to and coincident with at least a portion of said forward flow path, and with said disposal unit disposed downstream of said trap with respect to said reverse flow path;
• and
• means operative at comparatively-high duty cycle in a filtration mode for coupling diesel exhaust input at said unfiltered diesel exhaust input port through said trap along said forward flow path and out said filtered diesel exhaust output port and operative at comparatively-low duty cycle in a reverse-regeneration mode for providing at least one pulse of high-pressure and low-velocity air that flows through said trap along said reverse flow path in a direction that dislodges the soot (laden with PAH) and ash particles that are lodged within the pores of said trap during operation in said filtration mode and that moves the soot (laden with PAH) and ash particles into said disposal unit, said means including an air compressor upstream of said trap along said reverse flow path, and means cooperative with said air compressor for producing said at least one pulse of high-pressure and low-velocity air, said producing means including a valve coupled between said air compressor and said filter upstream of said filter in said upstream portion of said reverse flow path and another valve coupled downstream of said trap along said reverse flow path, and means for gating said valve and said another valve so as first to couple the air compressor to said trap along said reverse flow path in order to build up the pressure within said upstream portion of said reverse flow path and then to release suddenly the built up pressure by closing said valve and opening said another valve.