Abstract: A method includes determining a standard set of activities to perform an assessment and certification process, and identifying cost elements and cost drivers for each activity of the standard set of activities. Additionally, the method includes determining requirements for a particular assessment and certification project, and determining a cost estimation based upon at least one of the standard set of activities, the cost elements, the cost drivers, and the requirements.

Abstract: A method includes determining a standard set of activities to perform an assessment and certification process, and identifying cost elements and cost drivers for each activity of the standard set of activities. Additionally, the method includes determining requirements for a particular assessment and certification project, and determining a cost estimation based upon at least one of the standard set of activities, the cost elements, the cost drivers, and the requirements.

Abstract: Substantially non-microcracked, porous, cordierite ceramic honeycomb bodies are provided. Although exhibiting moderately high thermal expansion (CTE) between 7×10?7 to 16×10?7/° C. (25-800° C.), the honeycomb bodies exhibit relatively high thermal shock parameter (TSP), such as TSR?525° C. by virtue of a high MOR/E ratio, and/or low Eratio=ERT/E1000° C. and well interconnected porosity, as witnessed by a relatively high pore connectivity factor (PCF). A method of manufacturing the honeycomb ceramic structure is also provided.

Abstract: Substantially non-microcracked, porous, cordierite ceramic honeycomb bodies are provided. Although exhibiting moderately high thermal expansion (CTE) between 7×10?7 to 16×10?7/° C. (25-800° C.), the honeycomb bodies exhibit relatively high thermal shock parameter (TSP), such as TSR?525° C. by virtue of a high MOR/E ratio, and/or low Eratio=ERT/E1000° C. and well interconnected porosity, as witnessed by a relatively high pore connectivity factor (PCF). A method of manufacturing the honeycomb ceramic structure is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aluminum titanate body having a narrow pore size distribution as characterized by the relation (d50?d10)/d50 being less than 0.50 corresponding to a high degree of interconnected porosity. The body also preferably exhibits a low coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 15×10?7 C?1, high porosity of at least 38% by volume, and at least 0.10% by weight metal oxide, the metal being either yttrium, calcium, bismuth, a lanthanide metal or combinations of thereof. MOR is preferably at least 450 psi. Median pore diameter is preferably at least 8 microns. The inventive ceramic body is particularly useful as a wall-flow filter for a diesel exhaust. A method of fabrication is provided where the sintering temperature is preferably between 1375°-1550° C.

Abstract: A porous cordierite ceramic honeycomb article with increased mechanical strength and thermal shock resistance. The porous cordierite ceramic honeycomb article has MA<2220, or MT>2660 wherein MA=3645 (IA)?106 (CTE)+19 (d90)+17 (% porosity), MT=4711 (IT)+116 (CTE)?26 (d90)?28 (% porosity), and a CTE?9×10?7/° C. in at least one direction. A method of manufacturing is also disclosed wherein the inorganic raw material mixture contains talc, an alumina-forming source, a silica-forming source, and 0-18 wt. % of a kaolin or calcined kaolin containing not more than 8 wt. % of a fine kaolin source having a median particle diameter of less than 7 ?m, wherein the fired porous ceramic cordierite honeycomb article has a porosity<54% . Alternatively, if greater than 8 wt. % of the fine kaolin source is used, then a slow ramp rate is utilized from 1200° C. to 1300° C. of not more than 20° C./hr.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter having a honeycomb body composed of cordierite and exhibiting a CTE (25-800° C.) of less than 13×10?7/° C.; a median pore diameter, d50, of less than 25 ?m; % porosity not less than 53%; and a narrow pore size distribution wherein a value of d50-d10)/d50 is not greater than 0.6; and a value of d90 less than 40 ?m wherein d10, and d90 are pore diameters at 10% and 90% of the pore size distribution on a volumetric basis, and d10<d50<d90. The particulate filter preferably exhibits a plugged, wall-flow honeycomb filter body composed of cordierite and having a plurality of parallel end-plugged cell channels traversing the body from a frontal inlet end to an outlet end thereof.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter comprising a plugged, wall-flow honeycomb filter body composed of cordierite and having a plurality of parallel end-plugged cell channels traversing the body from a frontal inlet end to an outlet end thereof, wherein the filter exhibits a CTE (25-800° C.) of less than 13×10?7/° C., a bulk filter density of less than 0.60 g/cm3, a median pore diameter, d50, of less than 25 micrometers, a porosity and pore size distribution that satisfy the relationship Pm?3.75, wherein Pm is equal to 10.2474{1/[(d50)2(1/oporosity/100)]}+0.0366183(d90)?0.00040119(d90)2+0.468815(100/% porosity)2+0.0297715(d50)+1.61639(d50?d10)/d50, wherein d10, and d90 are pore diameters at 10% and 90% of the pore size distribution on a volumetric basis, and d10<d50<d90. A method of making the same is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aluminum titanate body having a narrow pore size distribution as characterized by the relation (d50-d10)/d50 being less than 0.50 corresponding to a high degree of interconnected porosity. The body also preferably exhibits a low coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 15×10?7 C?1, high porosity of at least 38% by volume, and at least 0.10% by weight metal oxide, the metal being either yttrium, calcium, bismuth, a lanthanide metal or combinations of thereof. MOR is preferably at least 450 psi. Median pore diameter is preferably at least 8 microns. The inventive ceramic body is particularly useful as a wall-flow filter for a diesel exhaust. A method of fabrication is provided where the sintering temperature is preferably between 1375°-1550° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mullite-aluminum titanate body having a low coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 15×10?7 C?1, a high porosity of at least 38% by volume, a median pore diameter of at least 8 microns, and a narrow pore size distribution as characterized by the relation (d50-d10)/d50 being less than 0.50 corresponding to a high degree of interconnected porosity. The inventive ceramic body also contains at least 0.10% by weight metal oxide, the metal being either yttrium, calcium, bismuth, a lanthanide metal or combinations of thereof. The inventive ceramic body is particularly useful as a wall-flow filter for diesel exhaust. A method of fabrication is provided where the sintering temperature is between 1375°-1550° C.