Abstract: A honeycomb structural body and a method for the manufacturing thereof. The manufacturing method includes (i) providing a plurality of silicon carbide honeycomb segments, each having a cell structure and at least one outer wall; (ii) subjecting the honeycomb segments to an oxidizing therman treatment forming a surface layer of silicon oxides on the at least one outer wall; and (iii) bonding the plurality of oxidized honeycomb segments so as to form the honeycomb structural body in the substantial absence of organic binders with the interposition of a sealing material including a mixture of one or more silicon carbide powders, one or more ceramic fibers, and one or more inorganic binders.

Abstract: A honeycomb structural body and a method for the manufacturing thereof. The manufacturing method includes (i) providing a plurality of silicon carbide honeycomb segments, each having a cell structure and at least one outer wall; (ii) subjecting the honeycomb segments to an oxidizing thermal treatment forming a surface layer of silicon oxides on the at least one outer wall; and (iii) bonding the plurality of oxidized honeycomb segments so as to form the honeycomb structural body in the substantial absence of organic binders with the interposition of a sealing material including a mixture of one or more silicon carbide powders, one or more ceramic fibers, and one or more inorganic binders.

Abstract: A method for inducing the regeneration of a particulate filter associated with an exhaust gas emitting engine while being operated in a vehicle in variable driving conditions. The method includes turning on, for a time period, a heating device in physical contact with the filter subject to the following conditions: i) an average pressure of the exhaust gas at the entrance of the filter is greater than a predetermined value; and ii) an instantaneous pressure of the exhaust gas at the entrance of the filter is at a high improbable value. The time period for such heating device to stay turned on is sufficiently long to reach the particulate ignition temperature and for such instantaneous pressure to get from such high improbable value to a significantly lower value. The average pressure is obtained by averaging a plurality of pressure data sensed at the entrance of the filter.

Abstract: A method of controlling the regeneration of a particulate filter adapted to filter particulate matter present in exhaust emissions of an engine of a vehicle. The particulate filter is coupled to a heating device adapted to be activated so as to cause the heating of the particulate filter. The method includes sensing at least one operating parameter of the particulate filter, receiving sensed data relating to the at least one sensed operating parameter and conditioning the activation of the heating device based on a comparison of the received data with at least one respective threshold. The method further includes adjusting a value of the at least one threshold based on an operating condition of the vehicle, the operating condition being detected based on the received sensed data.